Air fryer turkey tenderloin is the perfect way to enjoy homemade turkey in about 30 minutes. No need to fuss with the oven or a large whole turkey. Turkey breast tenderloins are lean, boneless, skinless and super easy to cook.
You’ll absolutely love the simplicity of this recipe. If you love a good turkey dinner, then this recipe is for you![feast_advanced_jump_to]
Cooking turkey breast in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare moist, juicy turkey with crispy skin. With the right techniques, timing, and temperature, you can achieve restaurant-quality turkey breast from the comfort of your own kitchen. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to perfectly cook turkey breast in an air fryer.
Factors That Affect Cook Time
There are a few key factors that impact how long it takes to cook turkey breast in an air fryer
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Weight – The heavier the turkey breast, the longer the cook time. A 1-2 lb breast may take 25-35 minutes while a 3-4 lb breast may take 45-60 minutes.
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Bone-in vs Boneless – Boneless breasts cook faster than bone-in Plan for a bone-in breast to take about 10-15 minutes longer
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Frozen vs Thawed – Always thaw turkey breast completely before cooking. Frozen turkey can take 50% longer to reach safe internal temperatures.
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Brined vs Unbrined – Brining makes turkey juicier but will extend cook time slightly since brined meat retains more moisture.
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Air Fryer Size/Wattage – Larger, more powerful air fryers will cook turkey quicker than smaller, less powerful models.
Preparing Turkey Breast for the Air Fryer
Proper prep is key for the best results:
- If frozen, thaw completely in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours. Do not thaw at room temperature.
- Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Trim any excess skin or fat.
- Season with salt, pepper, herbs, oil, etc. Rub evenly over entire breast.
- For extra crisp skin, loosen the skin from the breast and rub seasoning directly onto meat.
Recommended Time and Temperatures
These air fryer times produce juicy, tender turkey breast with crispy skin:
- 350°F for boneless turkey breast
- 1-2 lbs: 25-35 minutes
- 3-4 lbs: 45-60 minutes
- 325°F for bone-in turkey breast
- 3-5 lbs: 50-70 minutes
- 6-8 lbs: 75-90 minutes
Always rely on a meat thermometer rather than just cook time. Turkey is safely cooked when it reaches 165°F at the thickest part. If it’s not quite there after the recommended time, continue cooking and checking the temperature every 5-10 minutes until it reaches 165°F.
For extra crispy skin, crank up to 400°F for the last 5-10 minutes of cook time.
Tips for the Best Results
Follow these tips for foolproof air fried turkey breast:
- Completely thaw turkey if frozen
- Pat turkey dry before seasoning
- Loosen skin and rub seasoning directly onto meat
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness
- Let turkey rest 5-10 minutes before slicing
- Add vegetable oil spray or olive oil for increased browning
- Increase heat at end for ultra crispy skin
Sample Recipe
Here is a simple recipe to try for perfect air fried turkey breast:
Ingredients:
- 2 lb boneless, skin-on turkey breast
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1⁄2 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- Thaw and pat turkey breast dry. Carefully loosen the skin from the meat.
- Rub olive oil evenly under skin and on outside. Season all over with salt, thyme and pepper.
- Place turkey breast in air fryer basket. Set to 350°F and cook 30-40 minutes, until 165°F.
- Increase temperature to 400°F and cook 5 more minutes for crispy skin.
- Let rest 5 minutes before slicing to serve.
So there you have it! With the proper timing, temperature, and technique, you can make moist and delicious air fried turkey breast right at home. Follow these tips for the perfect air fried turkey every time.
Where to get turkey tenderloin?
Turkey tenderloins are found in the fresh meat section of most supermarkets. Most are packaged very similar to pork tenderloin – in long, narrow vacuum sealed packages of two. Most are already brined, which means they contain a solution of salt to help maintain freshness, and aid in flavor, texture and tenderness.
We’re going to season our turkey breast tenderloins with a simple combination of ingredients very common for roasted turkey recipes. These ingredients give us a classic, very savory flavor we know and love.
- Garlic powder
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Paprika
- Sage
- Salt and pepper
Remove the tenderloins from the package and give them a quick rinse. We’re nor rinsing away any of the flavor, simple getting them better prepared for the air fryer process. After the quick rinse, dry them with paper towels as best you can. Add a teaspoon of olive oil to each tenderloin and rub in all the seasoning mix. You will have just enough to get all the sides of both tenderloins coated.
Ready in about 30 minutes
With our turkey tenderloins seasoned, it’s time to place them into a preheated air fryer and cook on the “air fry” setting at 400°(F) for 20-25 minutes, turning once while cooking. The internal temperature should reach 165°(F).
How To Cook A Turkey Breast In The Air Fryer
FAQ
How long do you cook a turkey breast in the air fryer?
A 3-pound boneless turkey breast (like the Butterball turkey breast), cooks in the air fryer in 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes at 350 degrees F.
How long do you cook breast in the air fryer?
- 4-5oz (small chicken breasts): 10-12 minutes.
- 6-8oz (medium chicken breasts): 13-15 minutes.
- 9-120z (large chicken breasts): 16-20 minutes.
How long does it take to air fry a turkey?
- Size: The larger the turkey, the longer it will take to cook.
- Temperature: The ideal temperature to cook a turkey at is 350°F.
- Thaw status: If the turkey isn’t fully thawed, it will take longer to cook. It’s best to let the meat reach room temperature before putting it in the air fryer.
Is the air fryer better than the oven for turkey breast?
As much as I love to roast a boneless turkey breast, cooking it in the air fryer takes much less time and yields almost identical results. It’s been quite the holiday-time game changer, making the festive season much more stress-free and delicious.
How to cook a turkey breast in an air fryer?
Cut out the backbone of the turkey with sharp kitchen scissors. Trim the breastbones, so that the turkey can sit breast side up in the basket of an air fryer, and the drawer will slide closed completely. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. Step 2 Meanwhile, place the butter in a small bowl and mash with a fork.
Can one cook broccoli in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook broccoli in the air fryer like any other vegetable. You can add a little salt, garlic powder and pepper to enhance the flavor.
How long do you air Fry a 4 pound turkey breast?
A 4-pound bone-in turkey breast will need to air fry for about 55-65 minutes. Cooking time can vary based on the shape of your turkey breast (or the brand and size of your air fryer). A thinner flatter shape will cook through quicker while a thicker rounder turkey breast will need longer.
How long does it take to air Fry a Turkey?
Place turkey into the air fryer basket, skin-side down, and air fry for 20 minutes. Turn turkey to skin-side up carefully and continue frying until an instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 18 minutes more. Transfer to a platter and tent with aluminum foil; allow to rest for 10 minutes.
How long do you cook a boneless breast in an air fryer?
As a general guideline, when using a standard air fryer, cook: So for a 2 lb boneless breast, cook 20-24 minutes. For a 5 lb bone-in breast, cook 55-65 minutes. Always rely on an internal thermometer rather than time to determine doneness. Cook until it reaches an internal temp of 165°F.
Can you freeze air fryer turkey breast?
Air-fryer turkey breast may be frozen for a longer shelf life. Store it in a freezer-safe container, or wrap it tightly in foil and store it in a gallon-size resealable freezer bag. Freeze it for up to three months. Defrost the turkey completely in the refrigerator before reheating. How do you reheat air-fryer turkey breast?