Air Fryer Turkey Breast

This is a perfect holiday dish for a smaller crowd, or serve it for Sunday dinner. It looks great sliced for Thanksgiving dinner, but it’s really easy to make. Plus, using the air fryer frees up the oven for all your favorite side dishes.

Confession time. Turkey hasn’t always been my favorite holiday dish. It sometimes turns out a little dry and boring. There’s a reason people add extra gravy on the plate. However, making an air fried turkey breast was a game changer for me. It’s anything but dry and boring—especially if you brine the breast in a delicious apple cider brine. Talk about a fantastic boost of flavor.

Are you ready to up your turkey game?

FAQS:

What temperature should turkey meat be cooked to?Remove the turkey breast from the air fryer once it reaches 160-162ºF. It will continue to cook to 165ºF as it rests. Make sure to use an instant read thermometer placed in the thickest part of the breast to test for doneness.

Do I have to brine my turkey?While it is not absolutely necessary to brine turkey, I find that the outcome yields a much juicer turkey breast. For this recipe I used my Apple Cider Brine, but you could also try a buttermilk brine which is also very tasty for poultry. For a basic brine recipe to build on, check out Kitchn’s brining tips and ratios. You can add different aromatics depending on your personal tastes.

How do I store leftover turkey meat?Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

INGREDIENTS FOR AIR FRYER TURKEY BREAST:

• Turkey breast: I used a 3-pound bone in, skin on breast.
• Avocado oil: Avocado oil has a very mild flavor and is rich in healthy fats and antioxidants. It also has a higher smoke point (around 500ºF) making it a fantastic all around oil for a pantry staple.
• Fresh herbs: I used a mix of rosemary, thyme, and sage.

HOW TO COOK A TURKEY BREAST IN THE AIR FRYER:

• If brining your turkey breast (which I highly recommend), do this the day before. You’ll want to brine the turkey breast for a minimum of 6-8 hours. See the notes below for a fantastic brine recipe.
• Pat the turkey breast dry.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350ºF.
• Rough chop the fresh herbs.
• Add the avocado oil, fresh herbs, and black pepper to a mini blender. Process until the herbs are finely chopped.
• Use your hands to rub the turkey breast all over with the herb mixture.
• Place the turkey in the air fryer basket, and cook for about 50-60 minutes. NOTE: Cooking times will vary depending on the size of your turkey breast and type of air fryer. I highly recommend an instant read thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 160-162ºF.
• Remove the turkey from the air fryer when cooked, place on a cutting board, and allow to rest for 10 minutes. The internal temperature will reach 165ºF as it rests.
• Slice and serve with your favorite side dishes.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH TURKEY DINNER:

• Mashed Butternut Squash
• Green Bean Casserole
• Savory Roasted Butternut Squash
• Cornbread Dressing
• Stuffed Acorn Squash
• Savory Mashed Sweet Potato Blend
• Parsnip Mashed Potatoes
• Spiced Cranberry Sauce
• Savory Sweet Potato Mash
• Roasted Beet and Endive Salad

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INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS:

• Fresh herbs: Use half the amount of dried.
• Avocado oil: Any mild flavor oil you like can be used for this recipe.

RECIPE NOTES:

• If you don’t brine the turkey breast first, you will want to add salt to taste (about a 1/2 teaspoon) to the wet rub.
• Try using an Apple Cider Brine for delicious flavor and a perfectly juicy turkey breast.
• There are so many air fryers to choose from, but I love my Emeril Air Fryer. I use it almost daily because it has multiple cooking functions which allows you to use less energy than a traditional oven.
• An instant read thermometer is an invaluable tool in the kitchen.
• Avocado oil has a very mild flavor and is rich in healthy fats and antioxidants. It also has a higher smoke point (around 500ºF) making it a fantastic all around oil for a pantry staple.
• I love my Magic Bullet for small blending jobs.

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