How Long Do You Air Fry A Turkey Breast?

Air frying turkey breast is a great way to enjoy juicy, tender turkey with crispy skin, without needing to turn on the oven. But how long should you cook a turkey breast in an air fryer to get perfect results? In this article, I’ll share tips on air fryer turkey breast cooking times so your meal turns out moist and delicious every time.

Factors That Affect Air Fryer Turkey Breast Cooking Time

There are a few key factors that impact total cooking time for air fryer turkey breast

  • Weight – Heavier turkey breasts take longer to cook through. A good rule of thumb is 10-12 minutes per pound for boneless breast or 11-13 minutes per pound for bone-in.

  • Bone-in vs Boneless – Bone-in turkey breast generally takes a little longer since the bones help retain heat.

  • Temperature – Most recipes call for cooking at 350°F to ensure the turkey gets crispy skin without drying out. Higher temps will cook faster but may dry out the meat.

  • Thickness – Thicker parts of the breast will take longer to cook than thinner ends. Be sure to check for doneness in the thickest area.

  • Frozen vs Thawed – Always thaw frozen turkey completely before air frying Starting with frozen turkey will significantly increase cook time

Recommended Air Fryer Turkey Breast Cooking Times

Based on the above factors, here are some general guidelines for air fryer turkey breast cooking times:

  • 1-2 pound boneless breast: 10-20 minutes
  • 3-4 pound boneless breast: 30-40 minutes
  • 1-2 pound bone-in breast: 11-22 minutes
  • 3-4 pound bone-in breast: 33-44 minutes
  • 5 pound bone-in breast: 55-60 minutes

For boneless breast with netting, remove netting halfway through cooking for even browning.

Always use an instant read thermometer to check doneness, not just cook times. The thickest part of the breast should reach 165°F. If it’s not quite done, cook for 5-10 minutes more and recheck the temperature.

Flipping the breast halfway through will help it cook evenly. Rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.

Tips For the Best Air Fryer Turkey Breast

Follow these tips for foolproof air fryer turkey breast every time:

  • Pat the skin dry before seasoning to help it get crispy. Rub with a little oil.

  • Use a small bone-in breast or cut a larger breast in half so it fits in the air fryer basket.

  • Cut slits to tuck garlic cloves or herbs under the skin for extra flavor.

  • Cook skin-side down first, then flip halfway through cooking.

  • Brush with oil or pan drippings if skin isn’t browning well.

  • Use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness, not just cook time.

  • Allow to rest 5-10 minutes before slicing for juicy meat.

My Favorite Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipes

If you’re looking for some delicious air fryer turkey breast recipes, here are a few of my favorites:

Simple Garlic Herb Turkey Breast

This easy recipe only needs 5 ingredients – turkey breast, olive oil, garlic, and herbs like rosemary, thyme or sage. It delivers tender, flavorful meat with crispy seasoned skin in under an hour.

Maple Glazed Turkey Breast

For a sweet touch, this maple glazed turkey breast is brushed with a maple syrup, mustard and chili powder glaze during the last 10 minutes of cooking. It adds just the right hint of flavor.

Jerk Turkey Breast

Add some spice to your air fryer turkey breast with a Jamaican jerk seasoning blend. The kick of chili peppers, garlic, thyme and allspice take this turkey to the next level.

Pesto Turkey Breast

For an Italian twist, pesto makes a bright, fresh marinade and finishing sauce for juicy air fried turkey breast. I love the herby flavor the basil pesto imparts.

Crispy Buffalo Turkey Breast

If you like buffalo chicken wings, try this spicy, tangy take on air fryer turkey breast. It’s coated in hot sauce and butter before being cooked until crispy.

So that’s the scoop on how long to cook a turkey breast in the air fryer for perfect results. With the right cook time and a few simple tips, you can enjoy incredibly moist, delicious air fried turkey breast any night of the week. Give one of these flavorful recipes a try for your next meal!

how long do you air fry a turkey breast

How To Cook A Turkey Breast In The Air Fryer

FAQ

How long does it take to air fry a 20 pound turkey?

Set air-fryer temperature to 400° F. Cook 45-60 minutes, about 7-10 minutes per pound, until a food thermometer inserted registers 165° F. Let stand for 10 minutes before carving.

Is it better to air fry or bake turkey?

It’s hard and it takes up all of your oven space. This year, make your turkey in the air fryer! It takes way less effort with far better results and you are guaranteed to have crispy skin and juicy turkey! Also it is a phenomenal way to make a smaller Thanksgiving.

How long should I cook my turkey breast for?

In general, you’ll want to cook a bone-in turkey breast for about 20 minutes per pound at 350 degrees F (177 degrees C), or until it reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

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