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 make a delicious main dish. Air frying turkey breast results in crispy skin and moist, tender meat in a fraction of the time it takes to roast a whole turkey. I love making turkey breast in my air fryer because it’s so simple and always turns out deliciously juicy.
Why Cook Turkey Breast in an Air Fryer?
There are several benefits to using an air fryer instead of the oven when cooking turkey breast:
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It cooks much faster – A 3-4 lb turkey breast cooks in about 45-60 minutes in an air fryer vs 1.5-2 hours in the oven. This saves lots of time, especially around the holidays.
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Uses less oil – Only 1-2 Tbsp of oil is needed to coat the turkey breast before air frying. The circulating hot air crisps up the skin nicely without the need for deep frying.
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Makes perfect portions – Cooking a whole turkey breast is great for feeding a smaller gathering rather than cooking an entire bird. The portion sizes are ideal.
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Adds crispiness – The hot air circulates around the turkey breast evenly, almost mimicking a deep fryer. This results in skin that gets browned and crispy.
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Retains moisture – Despite the crisp exterior the meat stays very moist and juicy thanks to the quick cook time.
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Easy to flavor – Turkey breast can be seasoned simply with just salt and pepper or kicked up a notch with a flavorful spice rub Both turn out great when air fried.
How to Cook Turkey Breast in an Air Fryer
Cooking turkey breast in the air fryer is very straightforward. Here is a simple step-by-step method:
Ingredients:
- 3-4 lb boneless, skin-on turkey breast
- 1-2 Tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 tsp each salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
Instructions:
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Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels and rub lightly with oil.
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In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme. Rub the seasoning all over the turkey breast.
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Preheat the air fryer to 360°F.
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Place the seasoned turkey breast in the air fryer basket. Cook for 45-60 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
That’s it! The turkey will have crisp, golden brown skin with very moist and flavorful meat when sliced. Let’s go over some tips and variations for getting the best results when making air fryer turkey breast.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Turkey Breast
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Brining the turkey breast in saltwater for a few hours before cooking will make it super juicy and seasoned throughout.
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For extra flavor, try injecting turkey breast with a marinade or rub butter under the skin.
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Leave the skin on while cooking for crispiest results. Baste with oil if skin seems dry.
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Use an oil sprayer to evenly coat the skin with oil before air frying.
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Make sure the turkey breast is completely thawed before cooking.
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Flip the breast halfway during cooking to prevent burning on one side.
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Always use a meat thermometer to check doneness rather than relying on cook time.
Seasoning and Flavor Ideas
The simple salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and thyme seasoning works great on turkey breast. But you can also switch up the flavors with ease:
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Italian – basil, oregano, rosemary, sage
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Tex-Mex – cumin, chili powder, garlic, cilantro
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Lemon Herb – lemon zest, tarragon, parsley
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Cajun – paprika, cayenne, black pepper, garlic
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Asian – ginger, five spice powder, sesame oil
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BBQ – brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic
Get creative with rubs and spice blends! The air fryer handles strong flavors wonderfully.
Serving Suggestions
Slice up the rested turkey breast and serve it in a variety of ways:
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On sandwiches with cranberry sauce and stuffing
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Over salad greens for a protein packed meal
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In wraps or pitas for an easy lunch
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Diced up in soups, casseroles, and pasta dishes
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As an appetizer with crackers and pickles
Leftovers will last 3-4 days refrigerated and can be frozen for later use. Reheat slices in the microwave or a hot skillet.
Cooking turkey breast in the air fryer is my new favorite way to prepare it. The skin gets beautifully crisp and the meat stays so moist and tender. I love that it cooks up so quickly and easily with minimal cleanup. The flavor possibilities are endless too. I highly recommend trying turkey breast in the air fryer instead of the traditional oven roast method. Just be sure to use a meat thermometer for safely cooked results. Enjoy your juicy, crispy and delicious air fryer turkey breast!
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 store leftovers and reheat
Store the leftovers in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can help to add a teaspoon or two of broth or water to the meat in the container to help maintain juiciness. To reheat, the microwave is always the most convenient way. One or two minutes usually does the trick. You don’t want to go too long and dry out the meat.
You can also reheat in the air fryer. Keep the temperature low at about 350° and reheat for 7-9 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
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FAQ
How long does it take to air fry a boneless turkey breast?
- 1-1.5 lb turkey tenderloin – 360 degrees F for 10-12 minutes each side for a total time of about 20 minutes.
- 2-3 lb turkey tenderloin – 360 degrees F for 15 minutes each side for a total time of about 30 minutes.
Is it better to air fry or bake turkey?
Roast your turkey in the air fryer = big savings on energy bills. It is estimated that the air fryer can be as much as 50% less expensive to run than the oven.
How long do you cook boneless skinless breast in the air fryer?
… of your chicken breasts — again, 4-5oz breasts will take 10-12 minutes, 6-8oz breasts will take 13-15 minutes, and 9-120z breasts could take 16-20 minutes …
How long does it take to cook a turkey breast boneless?
When it comes to oven temperatures and timings, roast turkey breast has the same requirements as a whole roast turkey. So, at a temperature of 190C/170C fan/gas 5, you’ll need to cook it for 40 mins per kilo, plus an additional 20 mins.
Can You air Fry boneless turkey breast?
Air Fryer Boneless Turkey Breast — Air Fryer Boneless Turkey Breast is a fantastic way to enjoy a tender and flavorful dinner with minimal effort. Using your air fryer, you can achieve juicy turkey perfection with tender meat, making it a perfect choice for a quick and delicious meal.
Are airfryers healthy?
Air fryers should be used sparingly, as very high temperatures when cooking food – especially those rich in starch, such as potatoes, cassava and other roots – can produce a chemical called acrylamide, which is harmful to the human body and has carcinogenic potential.
How big should a turkey breast be in an air fryer?
This is also the science behind brining a turkey. Turkey breast: A bone-in turkey breast that’s roughly 4 pounds is the perfect size for most air fryers. If you have a larger air-fryer basket, you could likely scale up to a 6-pound turkey breast. No matter the size you choose, just make sure it is fully thawed before cooking.
How do you know if a turkey breast is cooked in an air fryer?
The best way to judge the doneness of a turkey breast in the air fryer is with an instant-read thermometer. Insert the probe into the thickest part of the turkey breast (take care to avoid the bone). When the internal temperature registers 165°, it is fully cooked. What can you serve with an air-fryer turkey breast?
Can You reheat turkey breast in an air fryer?
You can reheat turkey breast in the air fryer – but not not too long or else you can dry it out and it’ll be tough not tender. We use our reheat setting at 280 degrees Fahrenheit for just a few minutes (around 3-5) until the turkey breast is hot again.
Can You Thaw a turkey breast in an air fryer?
Turkey breast: A bone-in turkey breast that’s roughly 4 pounds is the perfect size for most air fryers. If you have a larger air-fryer basket, you could likely scale up to a 6-pound turkey breast. No matter the size you choose, just make sure it is fully thawed before cooking. Here’s how to safely thaw a turkey. ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME