How Long to Air Fry a Turkey Breast for Perfectly Cooked Meat

Air frying a turkey breast is a great way to enjoy juicy, flavorful turkey year-round without needing to cook a whole bird. But to get the best results, it’s important to air fry the turkey breast for the right amount of time. Here’s a guide on how long to air fry turkey breast to ensure it turns out moist and delicious.

Why Air Fry Turkey Breast?

Air frying is a cooking method that uses super hot, rapidly circulating air to crisp up the exterior of foods. It’s a great technique for cooking turkey breast because the hot air cooks the meat quickly while keeping it tender and juicy on the inside.

Some benefits of air frying turkey breast include:

• Much shorter cook time – A whole turkey can take upwards of 3-4 hours to roast in the oven. An air fryer turkey breast cooks in under an hour

• More convenient – Air frying takes up less oven space and doesn’t require checking and basting the turkey

• Crispier skin – The circulating hot air crisps up the skin nicely.

• Juicy meat – Air frying seals in moisture so the breast meat stays succulent.

• Versatile – Cook boneless or bone-in breasts. Even a whole turkey breast works.

• Less fat – The air fryer allows you to cook the turkey with little or no oil.

Picking the Right Turkey Breast

To start, choose the right cut of turkey breast:

• Bone-in, skin-on breast – The bone and skin help keep the meat juicy and flavorful as it cooks.

• Split breast – A breast split in half cooks more evenly. Opt for this over a whole breast.

• 2-3 pounds – Go for a 2-3 pound breast, which will cook through fully in an air fryer.

You can air fry boneless, skinless breasts too but the meat may come out a bit drier. If using skinless breasts, take extra care not to overcook them.

Preparing the Turkey Breast

Properly preparing the turkey breast ensures the best results:

• Pat dry – Use paper towels to thoroughly pat the turkey dry before cooking. This helps it get crispy.

• Brush with oil – Coat the breast all over with oil. Avocado or olive oil work well.

• Season well – Rub the breast with garlic powder, salt, pepper, herbs like rosemary or sage, and other spices of your choice. Season under the skin too.

• Insert thermometer – Pop a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, taking care that the probe isn’t touching bone. This lets you monitor the temp.

How Long to Air Fry a 2-3 Pound Turkey Breast

For a 2-3 pound split, bone-in turkey breast, follow these air fryer cooking times for perfect results:

• Preheat air fryer – Heat air fryer to 350°F. This takes 3-5 minutes.

• Cook skin-side down first – Place breast skin-side down first. Air fry for about 18-22 minutes until skin is crispy.

• Flip breast – Carefully flip breast so skin-side is up.

• Continue cooking – Cook for another 15-18 minutes until thermometer reads 165°F.

• Rest – Let turkey breast rest 5-10 minutes before slicing.

So for a 2-3 pound turkey breast, the total air fry time will be around 35-40 minutes. Adjust time slightly up or down if your breast is on the smaller or larger end.

Pro tip: For crispier skin, brush the skin with a bit of oil halfway through cooking.

How Long to Air Fry Boneless Turkey Breast

For boneless, skinless turkey breasts:

• Use smaller breasts – Opt for two 1-1.5 pound breasts. Larger breasts may dry out.

• Reduce time – Total air fry time will be about 25-35 minutes.

• Cook to 165°F – Insert a thermometer in thickest area and cook until it reaches 165°F.

• Don’t overcook – Without skin and bone, breast meat can dry out quickly if cooked too long.

Troubleshooting Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Having issues getting perfect results? Here are some common problems and how to avoid them:

• Undercooked meat – If the breast isn’t cooked through, air fry for a few extra minutes until the thermometer reads 165°F.

• Overcooked, dry meat – Avoid cooking too long. Use thermometer and don’t exceed 165°F.

• Not crispy skin – Make sure turkey is dry before air frying. Brush with oil halfway through cooking.

• Uneven cooking – Use split, not whole breast. Flip breast halfway through air frying.

• Burned breast – Don’t air fry at temps higher than 375°F. Tent with foil if needed.

Make an Easy Air Fryer Turkey Breast Meal

Air fried turkey breast pairs perfectly with simple sides for an easy meal:

• Roasted veggies like brussels sprouts, carrots, or broccoli. Toss in oil, salt, and pepper then air fry.

• Mashed or roasted sweet potatoes. Cook potatoes in microwave first before air frying.

• Stuffing or dressing cooked right in the air fryer. Use pre-made stuffing or make your own.

• Cranberry sauce – either homemade or from a can.

With barely any work you can enjoy a delicious air fryer turkey dinner any night of the week!

Air frying turkey breast takes a fraction of the time of roasting a whole bird but still gives you all that great turkey flavor. For the best results, opt for a 2-3 pound bone-in breast and cook for around 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway. Use a thermometer to ensure the meat reaches 165°F. Pair with easy side dishes for a full meal. Air frying makes enjoying moist, juicy turkey breast simple any time.