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 enjoy juicy, flavorful turkey breasts without deep frying or pan frying in tons of oil.
When cooking turkey chops in the air fryer the cooking time can vary based on a few factors
Thickness of the Turkey Chops
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Thinner turkey chops will cook faster than thicker chops. Thinly sliced turkey cutlets may only need 6-8 minutes in an air fryer.
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Thicker turkey chops, especially bone-in chops over 1-inch thick, will need a longer cook time closer to 15 minutes to ensure the inside cooks through.
Amount of Turkey
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The more turkey you add to the air fryer basket, the longer the overall cooking time since the heat has to circulate around more food.
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For thin turkey cutlets, cooking 3-4 pieces may take 6-8 minutes but cooking 6 cutlets may need closer to 10-12 minutes.
Air Fryer Wattage
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The higher the wattage of your air fryer, the faster it will cook. High powered air fryers above 1500 watts will cook faster than lower wattage models.
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High performance air fryers like the Cosori Smart Air Fryer can cook foods up to 30% faster than lower wattage models.
Temperature Setting
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Using a higher air fryer temperature like 390-400°F will significantly decrease cooking time compared to lower temps like 350°F.
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However, higher temps may lead to more surface browning, so adjust the temp based on your desired level of crispiness.
Bone-In vs. Boneless
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Bone-in turkey chops will take a few minutes longer than boneless turkey since the bone partially insulates the meat.
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Boneless turkey chops are great for cutting into uniform sizes which will cook evenly.
Frozen vs. Thawed
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Always thaw frozen turkey thoroughly before air frying to ensure even cooking.
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Frozen turkey chops may need up to 50% longer cook time compared to thawed turkey.
Preparation Method
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Brining or marinating turkey chops adds extra moisture and flavor but may slightly increase cook time.
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Breaded or coated turkey chops will take 1-2 minutes longer than plain turkey.
Internal Temperature
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Turkey is safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Be sure to use a meat thermometer to accurately check temperature.
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The internal temperature, not cook time, is what matters most for food safety.
Taking these factors into account, here are some general guidelines for how long to cook turkey chops in an air fryer:
- Thin turkey cutlets (1⁄2 inch thick): 6-8 minutes at 390°F
- Thick boneless chops (1 inch): 10-12 minutes at 380°F
- Bone-in chops (1 1⁄2 inches): 13-15 minutes at 370°F
- Breaded turkey chops: Add 1-2 minutes
- Brined or marinated: Add 1-2 minutes
The best way to ensure your turkey chops are fully cooked is to use an instant read thermometer to check that the thickest part of the meat has reached 165°F. Let the chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Monitor thick chops closely and adjust the cook time as needed if they are browning too quickly on the outside but still raw inside. Lowering the temperature 25 degrees can help combat this.
For easy cleanup, spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray before adding the turkey. Cutting turkey chops into uniform sizes will also promote even cooking.
Flip the chops halfway through for the most evenly browned exterior. To add flavor, coat the chops with olive oil and seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, or poultry seasoning before air frying.
Here are some estimated cook times based on thickness:
- 1⁄2 inch thick turkey cutlets: 6-8 minutes
- 3⁄4 inch thick boneless chops: 8-10 minutes
- 1 inch thick boneless chops: 10-12 minutes
- 1 1⁄2 inch thick bone-in chops: 13-15 minutes
While air fried turkey chops cook quickly, always double check the internal temperature and adjust cook times as needed based on the thickness. Enjoy juicy, golden turkey chops in just 10-15 minutes with an air fryer! Monitoring temperature and thickness are key for perfect results.
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.