Ready for a simple holiday dinner or easy weeknight meal? If so, then this Air Fryer Turkey Breast is the best option! It’s ready in less than an hour with perfect crispy skin and juicy, tender meat.
Cooking turkey breast in the air fryer yields juicy, tender meat with a golden, crispy skin in half the time it would take in the oven. It’s ideal for smaller gatherings or for anyone who wants a no-fuss, flavorful turkey without the hassle of a whole bird.
This Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe is an easy option for your upcoming dinner. Even better, you can save that precious oven space for other foods like sweet potato casserole and utilize the air fryer.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
- Naturally gluten-free!
- Ideal to make for your upcoming Thanksgiving Dinner!
- Perfect for smaller gatherings without a full bird.
- This can also be made as Ninja Foodi Turkey Breast and added to your list of Ninja Foodi Recipes, made in the Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker using the Air Crisp function.
Ingredients for Air Fried Turkey Breast:
- Boneless Turkey Breast
- Dried Rosemary or Fresh Rosemary
- Olive Oil Spray
- Kosher Salt to Taste
- Ground Black Pepper to Taste
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Place the turkey breast in the basket of the Ninja Foodi or Air Fryer.
- Coat it with olive oil spray and rosemary. This is the point at which you can add any other spices you may prefer or salt and pepper. The netting will still be on the turkey breast.
- Cook at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes.
- Carefully turn the turkey breast, coat it again with olive oil spray and a dash of rosemary if you prefer.
- Cook for an additional 30 minutes at 350 degrees F.
- Be sure the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees F.
- Let it sit in the Ninja Foodi or Air Fryer for 10-15 minutes after cooking to rest.
- Remove the netting, slice, and serve.
What is the best turkey to buy for an Air Fryer Turkey Breast?
This recipe is made with a boneless turkey breast, such as a Butterball Turkey Breast. These are going to be about 3 pounds and normally will come with a turkey packet; however, you can also use gluten-free gravy and discard the packet if you prefer.
What internal temperature should the turkey breast be cooked to?
Air Fryers all tend to heat a bit differently, which may make the cooking times vary a bit. The best way to be sure that your turkey breast is completely done is by using a quick-read thermometer or instant-read thermometer. The internal temperature must be at least 165 degrees F to be considered done.
Tips for making Air Fryer Turkey Breast:
This turkey breast is going to be naturally gluten-free; however, as always, check all ingredients that you season it with to be sure no cross-contamination has occurred.
The turkey itself will be so juicy, tender, and full of flavor that I did not find it necessary to add a lot of additional herbs and seasonings. We used olive oil spray along with dried rosemary, or you can also use fresh rosemary to lightly season it. If you prefer, you can also use Kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste as well.
This will be personal preference; if you prefer to heavily season your turkey breast, then add seasonings or fresh herbs such as thyme, garlic powder, poultry seasonings, or melted butter combined with garlic.
The turkey breast will cook in the air fryer basket for about 50 minutes, rotating throughout the cooking time.
After the turkey breast has been fully cooked in the air fryer, it is imperative to let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows all the juices to fully flow throughout the turkey and gives it that tender, juicy texture that you are looking for.
Once it’s fully cooked, remove the netting and cut with a sharp knife into even slices.
The full recipe instructions are in the recipe card below.
Should you remove the netting on the turkey breast?
It is best to leave the netting on the turkey breast while cooking because it will hold the breast together to maintain its shape while it cooks. It is very important to leave it on for a boneless turkey breast.
I have cooked it both with it on and with it off; it is a little bit tricky to remove it after cooking it with it on; however, the shape is much better maintained. After cooking, let the turkey breast rest for about 10 minutes, then use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the netting off.
Side Dishes Suggestions for Air Fryer Turkey Breast:
Once your turkey breast is fully cooked, it can easily be served with a variety of recipes such as:
- Sweet Potato Casserole
- Green Bean Casserole
- Apple Pecan Stuffing
- Air Fried Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fried Brussels Sprouts
- Mashed Potatoes
- Cranberry Sauce
Find the full list of Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes here!
If you enjoy these, then you will love these Easy Air Fryer Turkey Legs.
How do you store leftover turkey meat?
Once the turkey has fully cooled, slice it and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
When ready to reheat, place in the air fryer at 320 degrees F for 2-3 minutes or on a microwave-safe dish in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Air Frying a Turkey Breast is so simple to do, and it’s ready in a fraction of the time of the oven alternative!
Air fryer turkey breast is a delicious and easy way to enjoy turkey without the hassle of roasting a whole bird. It’s flavorful, juicy, and perfect for a holiday meal or any time you want a quick, tasty protein option.
Easy Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Ingredients
- 3 Pound Boneless Turkey Breast
- 1/2 Tbsp Rosemary
- Olive Oil Spray
Instructions
- Place the turkey breast in the basket of the Ninja Foodi or Air Fryer.
- Coat it with olive oil spray and rosemary. This is the point that you can add any other spices you may prefer or salt and pepper. The netting will still be on the turkey breast.
- Cook at 350°F for 20 minutes.
- Carefully turn the turkey breast, coat it again with olive oil spray and a dash of rosemary if you prefer.
- Cook for an additional 30 minutes at 350°F.
- Be sure the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.
- Let it sit in the Ninja Foodi or Air Fryer for 10-15 minutes after cooking to rest.
- Remove the netting, slice, and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Alan Payne says
There are plenty of claims about cooking things from frozen in the Foodi but very little info in the recipe book or website, have you had much experience with frozen foods? I wanted to do a frozen turkey breast tonight but cannot find any relevant info.
Thanks
Kristy says
Yes I have, to do frozen, you would do it in the pressure cooker first, then use the air crisp to get the crispy texture on the outside. If it’s frozen it can will need to be cooked longer in the pressure cooker to get it defrosted. When you get the Foodi there should be a guide in there, did you get that? If so, it normally will tell you some of the cook times for pressure cooker. I use those for meats if they need to be defrosted first. I prefer though to defrost then cook just because I think it taste better. Let me know if that doesn’t make sense or if you have any other questions!
Alan Payne says
Thanks, I did get the guide but it’s not very clear on the subject of frozen. It does specifically mention one or two things but not much. The nearest I could find to a 5lb turkey breast was 4lb of frozen chicken breasts. Whereas it’s poultry it’s completely different size and shape. The best I could come up with from the book was 1.5 times the time given for defrosted, if I do that and then check the internal temp and go from there I might get a decent result. I just don’t want to make any one I’ll! This time I abandoned my dinner plan last night and allowed the turkey to defrost overnight and will cook it today.
Many thanks for your answer, I will save your site as we are looking forward to using the Foodi much more.
Thanks again and happy New Year.
Kristy says
Thanks so much and happy new year! I have found that once you get the hang of the Foodi, you’ll really love it and you’ll be a pro with cook times. 🙂
Bethany Whitaker says
Hi! Just curious, as I am using the Ninja Foodie for my 3 pound bonless turkey breast. Do you set it to the air crisp setting or the bake/roast setting on the foodie?
Kristy says
I use air crisp on the Foodi for this one.
Kathi says
Don’t have a pellet grill or any kind of outdoor grill but I do have an XLPower Air Fryer Grill that I made this recipe in. However, I did cook it on a roasting pan and added 1 tablespoon proultry seasoning and salt and pepper to taste. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe. I also made gravy from the drippings. Yum!!!
Cindy S Abel says
I have a Ninja Foodi, not the pressure cooker, and most recipes only refer to the pressure cooker. I have been able to successfully adapt air-frying and grilling for vegetables and meats. In fact, unless I have to make mashed potatoes, rice or a skillet dinner, I don’t use my stove.
I had gotten a turkey breast about 5 to 6 lbs. and was determined to use the Ninja for it. I found your recipe close to what I was thinking I needed to do, so I set the temp at 350, for 20 mins., preheated, cut the ribcage out of the breast, patted it dry, sprayed with cooking oil, put it skin side up in the Ninja. At the end of the 20 mins., I opened it, and the skin was absolutely BEAUTIFUL. I Took it out, made a small cut, but the juice was a little too pink, so back it went for another 5 mins, upside down with butter pats along the length of the breast. I let it rest while I finished preparing other items for about 15 mins. I took it out, placed on a foil-lined cookie sheet and sliced a piece off. It was moist. I made a few more length-wise cuts and the closer I cut to the center of the breast, the juicer it became.
I don’t know how many of your readers have someone in their home who becomes sort of choked when eating food items that are too dry or bulky. I have one in mine, and I fully expected my boyfriend to become choked on the turkey, but happily, that did not happen. He was a very happy camper.
I suppose different brands may make a difference in the quality of the finished breast, but I am convinced any turkey breast prepared in the Ninja Foodi on the air-fryer function will be great.
Thanks for giving me the confidence to experiment!
9 Angels says
Air fryer or Crock Pot?…Which gives you the more moist meat. I too have the 3 pound turkey breast from Aldi, without bone.
I tried the bone in turkey breast in the air fryer and it was good, but not out of this world moist.
Kristy says
I love it in the Air Fryer but it’s going to be totally personal preference.
Nancy says
Use air fryer frequently, but next time I will remove netting and try to flatten . ( hopefully that helps). Almost an hour and not 100 deg in middle. Cut into quarters until correct temp.. tasted fine and was still moist. Unfortunately skin stuck to netting.
Linda Primmer says
This turkey breast looks so delicious. I need to use my Ninja Foodie more. I am pleased to feature your air fryer turkey breast at Love Your Creativity.
Kathy says
Very easy to follow. Just got my air fryer and going to cook my first 3 lb turkey breast.
Lori C says
I have a regular air fryer. Can I use it and would you cut the netting off first? I’m looking forward to a crispy skin that I can’t get in my slow cooker. Thank you!!
Kristy says
Yes, you can take the netting off first.
Amy Johnson says
What an easy way to cook turkey breast. I’m sure air frying it keeps it more moist instead of dry. Pinned. Visiting from Funtastic Friday.
Barbara Ann Mojica says
Interesting recipe. I use a pressure cooker to do an approximately 6 pound turkey breast in less than an hour.