Breaded turkey cutlets are one of our go-to weeknight dinners from an air fryer. Super tasty and satisfying—although they always seem like a much fancier meal.
Our easy method in this recipe can be changed in many ways to make other kinds of crispy turkey cutlets. Skip the stuffing mix entirely and use Italian-seasoned dried breadcrumbs (don’t grind them). Or corn flake crumbs (again, don’t grind them). For a crunchy meat cover, you can also grind Ritz crackers, Town House crackers, Wheat Thins, or bagel chips.
This recipe was excerpted from The Look and Cook Air Fryer Bible by Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough. Buy the full book on Amazon.
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Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years for their ability to make foods crispy and delicious without all the added oil of traditional frying. Cooking turkey chops in an air fryer is a great way to prepare a healthy, lean protein while still getting that crispy, golden exterior. But how long should you cook turkey chops in an air fryer to ensure they are cooked through without drying them out?
What are Turkey Chops?
Turkey chops are slices of turkey breast meat that are cut thinner than chicken breast fillets, usually about 1/2 inch thick. They can be cut from a whole turkey breast or purchased pre-cut. Turkey chops cook faster than thicker cuts of turkey because there is less meat to cook through.
Benefits of Cooking Turkey Chops in an Air Fryer
There are several benefits to cooking turkey chops in an air fryer rather than oven roasting or pan frying:
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Air fryers cook food quickly with a crispy exterior The circulating hot air surrounds the food to cook it evenly on all sides
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No need to add oil when air frying. The chops come out crispy without the added calories and mess of frying in oil.
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Air fryers don’t heat up the whole kitchen like using the oven does. They use less energy than a conventional oven
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The small basket size means you can cook a small batch of chops quickly rather than heating up the oven for a large tray.
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Air fryers are easy to use with minimal cleanup required
How Long to Cook Turkey Chops
Cooking times can vary based on the model and size of your air fryer, as well as the size and thickness of the chops. Here are general guidelines for how long to air fry turkey chops:
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Thinner 1/2 inch chops: Cook at 400°F for 6-9 minutes, flipping halfway.
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Thicker 3/4 to 1 inch chops: Cook at 380°F for 10-14 minutes, flipping halfway.
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Smaller air fryers (2-3 qt capacity): Start checking for doneness at the lower end of the time range.
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Larger air fryers (5-8 qt capacity): Cook times will be towards the higher end of the range.
Tips for Cooking Turkey Chops
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Pat the turkey chops dry before seasoning and cooking. Dry meat will get crispier than chops with moisture on the surface.
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Brush or spray chops with a small amount of oil before cooking for increased browning.
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Flip the chops halfway during cooking for even browning and cooking.
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Use a digital meat thermometer to confirm chops are fully cooked, not just relying on cook times. Turkey should reach 165°F internally.
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Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Leave space between chops for air circulation.
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Let chops rest 3-5 minutes before cutting to allow juices to redistribute.
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Track your model’s time and temp if cooking again. Adjust as needed for thicker/thinner chops.
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Add loaf pan or oven-safe dish to catch any juices dripping from chops while cooking.
Cooking Thicker Turkey Chops
If working with thicker 3/4 to 1 inch chops, reduce the air fryer temperature to 380°F and increase cook time to 10-14 minutes for crispier results. Flipping halfway through is important to cook both sides evenly. And always use a meat thermometer to confirm safe internal temp rather than relying solely on cook times.
Sample Recipe for Air Fried Turkey Chops
An easy way to get started is with a simple seasoning blend before air frying:
Ingredients:
- 2 turkey breast chops (3/4 to 1 inch thick), patted dry
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
Instructions:
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Pat turkey chops dry with paper towels. Brush both sides with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning blend.
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Cook at 380°F for 12-14 minutes, flipping halfway, until 165°F internally.
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Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Cooking turkey chops in the air fryer is a quick and healthy way to get perfectly cooked and flavorful meat. Follow these guidelines on temp and times for your specific air fryer model. Check for doneness, and soon you’ll have crispy, juicy turkey chops ready in minutes.
Ingredients1 (6-oz.) box of turkey stuffing mix of any flavor or variety1 cup regular or low-fat buttermilk4 (4-oz.) turkey breast cutletsNonstick spray
- Step 1: Set an air fryer to 400°F and put the basket inside or the tray in the middle of a toaster oven-style model. Step 2: Put the stuffing mix into a large food processor, cover it, and pulse it many times until it looks like coarse bread crumbs. As needed, work in groups to make sure the canister doesn’t get more than half full. Put the crumbs from the stuffing mix into a thick soup plate, a small pie plate, or a medium-sized food storage container. Step 3: Put the buttermilk in a middle-sized food storage container, a shallow soup plate, or a small pie plate. Cover both sides of a turkey cutlet with buttermilk by turning it over. Place the cutlet on top of the stuffing crumbs and gently press down on it, turning it over several times to cover all sides. Step 4: Place the breaded cutlet on a large piece of wax paper or a cutting board. Continue the buttermilk–stuffing crumb process with the remaining three cutlets. Coat them on both sides with nonstick spray. Step 5: Put them in the hot machine in a single layer. They shouldn’t overlap but they can touch in spots. Work in batches as necessary. Air-fry for 4 minutes. Turn the cutlets over with nonstick-safe tongs. Step 6: Air-fry for another three minutes, or until golden brown and cooked all the way through. Move the cutlets to a wire rack with clean tongs. Let them cool for a minute or two before serving warm.
Cooks Note
Easily up the flavors of these cutlets by using an olive oil spray or even a garlic-flavored spray. More dried herbs and spices can be added to the stuffing mix to make it taste better. You can use up to 2 teaspoons of dried basil, 2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon of ground sage, and/or 1 teaspoon of dried parsley. Excerpted from.
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FAQ
How long does it take to cook turkey chops in an air fryer?
How long to cook turkey in an air fryer?
How long and at what temperature do you cook pork chops in an air fryer?
How long to air Fry Turkey chops?
When air frying turkey chops, it’s important to keep an eye on the cooking time and temperature to ensure that they are cooked through and not overcooked. A good rule of thumb is to cook them at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F before serving.
How long to cook a pork chop in an air fryer?
In an air fryer at 375F, pork chops can be cooked for 6-8 minutes on each side, flipping halfway. The cooking time for a pork chop depends on its thickness: a chop that is up to one inch thick will take about 20-25 minutes, while a 1.5-2 inch chop will take at least 30 minutes.
Should you use an air fryer to cook Turkey chops?
One of the main reasons to use an air fryer to cook turkey chops is because it’s a healthier option. Air fryers use little to no oil, which results in lower fat and calorie content compared to other cooking methods. Additionally, air frying locks in moisture and produces crispy, perfectly cooked turkey chops.
How long do you cook chicken in an air fryer?
If your chicken is over 4 lbs., let it cook in the air fryer for another 5-10 minutes, breast side up. You can be sure that your chicken is cooked to perfection in the air fryer when a meat thermometer indicates that the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The drawback of most air fryers is the size limitation.
Why should you use an air fryer?
Air fryers use little to no oil, which results in lower fat and calorie content compared to other cooking methods. Additionally, air frying locks in moisture and produces crispy, perfectly cooked turkey chops. Using an air fryer also saves time and energy since it cooks food quickly and efficiently.