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Air fryer turkey breast is my go-to for juicy, tender turkey without the hassle—no need to wait for Thanksgiving or Christmas! It’s quick, easy, and gives you crispy, golden skin with minimal effort.
The air fryer locks in moisture while crisping up the outside, so you get perfectly cooked, tender turkey every time. Whether you’re making it for a holiday meal, Sunday dinner, or meal prep, this recipe delivers big flavor in a fraction of the time!
And of course, no turkey dinner is complete without the sides! I love serving this with cranberry sauce for that sweet-tart contrast, a drizzle of turkey gravy to soak into every bite, and a side of oven-roasted garlic for extra flavor. Whether it’s a special occasion or just a cozy dinner, this air fryer turkey breast makes it easy to put together a meal that feels like a feast!
Watch how to make it
Ingredients
This air fryer turkey breast comes together with just a handful of simple ingredients!
✔ Turkey breast – Boneless with the skin on gives you the best of both worlds: juicy meat and crispy, golden skin. Bone-in works too—just make sure it fits in your air fryer basket!
✔ Olive oil or butter – Either works! Butter adds richness, while olive oil keeps it light and crispy.
✔ Salt & black pepper – Helps season the meat and crisp up the skin.
✔ Fresh herbs – A mix of rosemary, sage, and thyme gives this turkey incredible flavor.
✔ Garlic – Because everything’s better with garlic, right? Freshly minced for the best taste.
✔ Paprika – Adds a touch of color and subtle smokiness.
✔ Lemon zest (optional) – A little brightness that makes the flavors pop.
👉 See the printable recipe card below for full ingredient details and quantities!
Why you’ll love this air fryer turkey breast
✔ Perfect for smaller meals – No need to roast a whole turkey! This gives you just the right amount of meat for a small gathering, weeknight dinner, or meal prep.
✔ No brining needed – Skip the extra prep! A simple herb rub adds incredible flavor while keeping the meat juicy and tender.
✔ Quick, easy, and mess-free – The air fryer cooks turkey breast faster than the oven while keeping the skin crispy. Plus, cleanup is a breeze—so you can spend more time enjoying your meal and less time scrubbing dishes!😁
How to make a turkey breast in the air fryer
1. Prepare the herb rub
In a bowl, mix the olive oil (or butter), garlic, chopped herbs, paprika, salt, pepper, and lemon zest. The lemon zest adds a slight citrusy tang, but you can leave it out if you prefer.
2. Season the turkey
Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels—this helps the skin crisp up. Rub the herb mixture all over, making sure to coat it evenly.
3. Air Fry the turkey
Place the turkey breast skin-side down in the air fryer and start cooking. After about 25 minutes, flip it over so the skin crisps up beautifully.
Continue cooking for another 20–30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF (74ºC) at the thickest part. I recommend using a meat thermometer to track it. If you have a leave-in one with an app, even better!
4. Check for Doneness
To avoid overcooking, remove the turkey when it reaches 155°F (68°C)—it will continue to rise to 165°F (74°C) as it rests. This is the FDA-recommended safe temperature for turkey.
💡 No thermometer? Check that the juices run clear from the thickest part and there’s no pink meat when sliced.
Once done, cover the turkey loosely with foil and let it rest for 10-15 minutes. This locks in the juices and ensures perfectly tender meat.
5. Carve & Serve
Use a sharp knife to slice the turkey breast. Hold it steady with a fork, and slice against the grain for the most tender result. Try to keep the slices even so they look great on the plate and stay juicy.
Serve the turkey breast with mashed potatoes or herb-roasted potatoes, a drizzle of brown gravy, and a side of cranberry sauce. Want something different? Try a gourmet turkey sub with roasted garlic, slaw, and your favorite sauce—a whole new level of turkey sandwich!
Notes and tips
✔ Space is key – Make sure there’s enough room in the air fryer for the air to circulate around the turkey. If the basket is too crowded, the skin might not get as crispy. If your turkey is too large, try cutting it in half and cooking the pieces separately.
✔ Resting is important – Let the cooked turkey breast rest for 10-15 minutes (cover it loosely with foil). This gives the juices a chance to redistribute, making the meat extra juicy and tender.
✔ Check your cooking time – It might vary depending on the size of the turkey breast and the model of your air fryer. Using a meat thermometer is the best way to ensure it’s cooked all the way through.
✔ For frozen turkey breast – Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
Storing leftovers
Leftovers?! What leftovers? 😊 But just in case you have some turkey left over:
• In the fridge: Store leftover turkey in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or air fryer at a low temperature to keep it juicy.
• In the freezer: Freeze it in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
More turkey recipes
Try roasting turkey legs for darker meat with a flavor different from that of turkey breast. Or, if you’re looking for a traditional oven-roasted turkey dish, try my roasted turkey breast recipe.
Let’s talk turkey: if you try this air fryer turkey breast recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 lb boneless turkey breast with skin on
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh sage chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 lemon zested (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil, salt, pepper, chopped rosemary, sage, thyme, minced garlic, paprika, and lemon zest (if using) to make the herb rub.
- Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. Rub the herb mixture all over the turkey, including under the skin if possible.
- Place the turkey breast in the air fryer basket skin side down. Air fry for 25 minutes.
- Flip the turkey breast skin side up and cook for another 20-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part, using a meat thermometer.
- Cover the turkey and let it rest for 10-15 minutes (I like to cover it with tin foil) to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Slice against the grain and serve warm!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Sounds so delicious!