Get ready to enjoy a great dinner with Easy Air Fryer Turkey Breast, it can also be made in the Ninja Foodi too!
We all know the holidays are coming, but not all of us need enough turkey and ham to feed 20 people, right?
Growing up, my family always had a very small dinner, it was usually just our family of 4 plus my grandparents.
That means we had 6 people and did not really need dinner for 15-20.
Let’s just face it and say that leftovers do get old after a while, even when they are from Thanksgiving dinner.
That’s what led me to test out this Ninja Foodi Turkey Breast, which can also be Air Fryer Turkey Breast. It’s the perfect size for a family of 4-6, with minimal leftovers and it’s absolutely delicious!
This is one of those Ninja Foodi Recipes that I’ll be making for many years to come!
What is the best turkey to buy for Air Fryer Turkey Breast?
This recipe is made with a boneless turkey breast. I was able to find a boneless turkey breast for $8 at Aldi. They even have great gluten-free turkey stuffing too!
We used a boneless, skin-on turkey breast, which is also so much easier to prepare and slice too!
The one I used for this was about 3 pounds. It also came with a turkey packet too; however, if you need gluten-free turkey gravy or prefer your own turkey, this gluten-free gravy was perfect.
It can be made with regular flour too if gluten-free isn’t a need.
Can you make Air Fryer Turkey Breast in a Ninja Foodi?
This recipe is essentially Air Fryer Turkey Breast because you are only using the air crisp function of the Ninja Foodi.
That means you can make this in any air fryer or Ninja Foodi; however, you need to be sure the basket is large enough to fit the turkey breast you purchase.
The cook times may vary as well depending on how much heat the machine you use puts off, that means it’s essential to have a great quick read thermometer.
We like to shoot for an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Tips for making Turkey Breast:
The turkey itself has so much flavor and juice inside I didn’t find it necessary to coat it with much more than olive oil spray and a dash of rosemary.
The particular turkey breast I used had netting around it and I kept that on during the cooking process, yours may have this on it as well depending on the one you purchase.
I suggest that you remove the netting, I’ve done it both ways but the skin comes off sometimes if you take it off after cooking. It’s easier to work with taking it off before and not necessary for cooking.
Be sure to let the turkey rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking, this allows the juices to fully soak into the turkey.
It allows it to be juicer and easier to slice as well. I feel like it really gives it that melt in your mouth flavor and texture.
If you enjoy these, then you will love these Easy Air Fryer Turkey Legs.
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.
- Cook at 350 degrees 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.
- Be sure the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees.
- Let it sit in the Ninja Foodi or Air Fryer for 10-15 minutes after cooking to rest.
- Slice and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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
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!
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.
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. 🙂
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?
I use air crisp on the Foodi for this one.
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!!!
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!
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.
I love it in the Air Fryer but it’s going to be totally personal preference.
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.
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.
Very easy to follow. Just got my air fryer and going to cook my first 3 lb turkey breast.
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!!
Yes, you can take the netting off first.