Ready in just 16-minutes – start to finish! our air fryer turkey cutlets are the best way to enjoy breaded cutlets flavored with Italian seasoned breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese.
Air fryers have become one of the most popular kitchen appliances for their ability to make amazingly crispy and delicious food with little to no oil. They are especially handy when it comes to cooking leaner meats like turkey chops. But how long should you cook turkey chops in an air fryer to achieve the perfect texture and doneness? This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to master air frying juicy, tender turkey chops with just the right amount of crispiness.
What are Turkey Chops?
Turkey chops, also sometimes called turkey cutlets, are thin slices of boneless turkey breast meat. They are an excellent lean protein choice and cook up quickly since they are thinly cut. Turkey chops are very versatile and can be baked, grilled, pan-seared or air fried. Their mild flavor makes them perfect for all kinds of recipes and meal prep.
Compared to chicken, turkey chops have a bit more dense and firm texture. When properly cooked in the air fryer, the chops become lightly crisped on the outside while remaining tender and moist inside.
Benefits of Cooking Turkey Chops in an Air Fryer
Air frying is hands down one of the best ways to cook turkey chops Here are some of the benefits
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Quick cooking time – Turkey chops cook fast in the air fryer, usually between 6-15 minutes depending on thickness. This makes air frying ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prepping
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** Crispy exterior** – The hot air circulating in the air fryer perfectly crisps up and browns the exterior of the chops for added texture without needing to bread or fry them.
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Tender and juicy interior – Despite the crispy crust, the inside of the chops stays nice and moist thanks to the shorter cooking time.
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Versatile – Air fried turkey chops work for all kinds of recipes from sandwiches to salads to main dishes. Their mild flavor also takes well to all kinds of seasonings.
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Healthier – With little to no oil needed, air frying turkey is much healthier than frying in grease or breading. You reduce calories without sacrificing taste and texture.
How Long to Cook Turkey Chops Based on Thickness
The cooking time for turkey chops in an air fryer can range anywhere from 6-15 minutes depending on the thickness of the chops. Here are some general guidelines:
- Thin chops cut 1⁄2 inch thick: Cook for 6-8 minutes per side
- Medium chops cut 3⁄4 inch thick: Cook for 8-10 minutes per side
- Thick chops cut 1 inch or more: Cook for 10-12 minutes per side
- Bone-in chops: Cook for 12-15 minutes total
For accurate doneness, always use an instant-read meat thermometer. Turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. If the chops are not quite done when you check them, simply pop them back in for a couple more minutes until cooked through.
Tips for Air Frying Turkey Chops Like a Pro
Follow these handy tips and tricks to take your air fried turkey chops to the next level:
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Pat the chops dry – Make sure the chops are patted dry before seasoning and cooking. This helps the exterior get extra crispy.
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Use a light coating of oil – A quick rub or spray with a teaspoon of oil prevents sticking and promotes browning.
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Season generously – Turkey chops love bold seasonings. Use a dry rub or marinade and season both sides.
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Don’t overcrowd – Cook in a single layer, avoiding overlap to allow for even crisping. Cook in batches if needed.
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Flip halfway – Flip the chops over midway during cooking for the best texture on both sides.
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Let rest before serving – Let chops rest 5 minutes after cooking so juices can redistribute.
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Track your cook times – Note how long chops take to reach 165°F to perfect timing.
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Add flavorful toppings – Serve chops plain or topped with chimichurri, pesto, barbecue sauce – anything goes!
Step-By-Step Instructions for Air Frying Turkey Chops
Follow this simple step-by-step guide for perfect air fried turkey chops every time.
Ingredients:
- 4 turkey chops patted dry
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
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Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
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Coat turkey chops lightly on both sides with olive oil and season generously with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
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Arrange chops in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd.
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Air fry for 8-10 minutes per side, flipping halfway during cooking time. (Cook time may vary based on thickness of chops).
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Check temperature of the thickest part of chops, and cook until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Remove chops from air fryer and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
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Optional: Drizzle with extra olive oil or top with chimichurri sauce. Enjoy!
Cooking turkey chops in the air fryer is hands down the fastest, easiest route to juicy and flavorful chops with a satisfying crunch. In no time, you can enjoy a healthy, crowd-pleasing protein perfect for everything from weeknight dinners to meal prep.
So grab your favorite seasonings and air fry away for tender and delicious turkey chops! Adjust cook times as you go to find your perfect timing and level of crispiness.
Common Questions About Air Frying Turkey Chops
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about cooking turkey chops in the air fryer:
How do you know when turkey chops are done in the air fryer?
The best way to determine doneness is by using an instant-read meat thermometer. Turkey chops are fully cooked when the thickest part of the meat reaches 165°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, look for the meat to become opaque all the way through with no traces of pink.
Should you flip turkey chops while air frying?
Yes, flipping the chops halfway during the cook time is recommended. This allows both sides to cook evenly and get nicely browned and crispy.
Can you put a dry rub on turkey chops before air frying?
Absolutely! Dry rubs are a great way to add lots of flavor to air fried turkey chops. Apply your favorite spice mix generously on both sides before cooking.
What temperature do you cook turkey chops at in an air fryer?
The ideal air fryer temperature for turkey chops is 400°F. This high heat helps render the fat and achieve a nice crispy exterior while keeping the interior juicy.
Do you need oil to air fry turkey chops?
You can air fry turkey chops without oil, but using a little oil helps promote browning. A quick spray or brush of oil is sufficient – no need to submerge in oil.
What sides go well with air fried turkey chops?
Some delicious side options include roasted veggies, mashed or baked potatoes, rice pilaf, salad, or pasta. Play around with different seasonings and sauces for your sides.
Can you cook frozen turkey chops in an air fryer?
Yes, frozen turkey chops work well in the air fryer too. Simply extend the cook time by a couple of minutes per side to account for the frozen meat.
Air Fried Turkey Chop Recipe Ideas
Beyond the basic air fried turkey chops, you can get creative with different marinades, rubs and serving ideas:
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Mediterranean turkey chops – Marinate chops in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs like oregano and parsley before air frying.
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Jerk turkey chops – Use a Caribbean jerk seasoning mix before air frying for a bit of heat.
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BBQ turkey chops – Brush chopped with a layer of barbecue sauce during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
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Ranch turkey wraps – Serve crispy air fried chops inside lettuce wraps with ranch dressing, tomatoes, and cheese.
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Tex Mex turkey nachos – Chop up air fried turkey and pile onto nachos loaded with all the fixings.
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Buffalo turkey sandwiches – Toss fried turkey chops in buffalo sauce and serve on buns with blue cheese dressing.
The possibilities for flavoring and serving air fried turkey chops are endless! Take advantage of this lean, versatile protein by air frying it to crispy perfection in record time for easy, delicious meals.
How to air fry turkey cutlets
- Cooking time: 6-8 minutes
- Temperature: 400 F (do not preheat the air fryer)
- Pat the turkey dry with paper towels to remove extra moisture.
- Sprinkle both sides with garlic salt and ground black pepper.
- Take two shallow dishes, adding the beaten eggs to one, and mixing the seasoned breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese to the other.
- Dip the cutlets on both sides, first in the egg wash, and then in the breadcrumb mix. Be sure to coat all sides. As an optional step you can spritz both sides of the cutlets with an olive oil spray for increasing browning. Add the turkey to the cold air fryer basket or oven.
- Air fry the turkey cutlets at 400 F for a total of 6-8 minutes until theyre crispy, golden brown, and the internal temp is 165 F. No need to flip during cooking since this is a fast recipe! If you have thicker or larger cutlets, they could take as long as 12 minutes in total to cook.
Serve as a whole cutlet or slice it to serve over pasta with marinara sauce or on a salad. Enjoy!
- We used pre-sliced turkey cutlets from Trader Joes. A 1 lb pack includes 5-6 cutlets, some stores also call these thinly sliced turkey breasts. You can make cutlets if you have a boneless turkey breast by cutting them lengthwise into very thinly sliced pieces and then pounding them thin with a meat mallet.
- To make sure you arent overcooking or undercooking the turkey, we do recommend using a digital meat thermometer, especially the first time you go to make a recipe.
- This same recipe can be used to make air fryer chicken cutlets, baked cutlets or pan fried turkey cutlets too.
- Leftovers will keep for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Breaded turkey cutlets in the air fryer are so good!
If youre looking for a quick, healthy, and fast dinner recipe, you truly cant cook a faster dinner than cutlets. Whether you call them bread turkey cutlets, turkey schnitzel, turkey chops, or escalopes, were referring to thinly cut turkey breasts that cook up in a flash.
Our air fried turkey cutlets turn out crispy on the outside with the crunchy parmesan crust yet still stay tender on the inside since theyre cooked so fast. The key to this is the high cooking temp, we tested this at a lower temperature and they were cooked through but not as crisp on the outside.
We like to make a simple dinner out of them with air fryer sweet potato slices and broccolini on the side. Theyre also fantastic added over pasta with marinara sauce!
- turkey cutlets – pounded thin turkey cut from turkey breast or turkey tenderloins sort of like boneless turkey chops, you can either buy them pre-sliced and pounded thin or make your own from thinly sliced turkey breasts or turkey breast tenderloins.
- eggs -large size, you could use egg whites for the egg wash to cut back on cholesterol. You can also use mayo (light or regular) as the binder for an egg free version.
- Italian seasoned breadcrumbs – you can also use gluten free breadcrumbs or low carb ones too, just mix in a bit of Italian seasoning to add that Italian flavor.
- grated parmesan cheese – grating parmesan from a chunk of parmesan will melt and coat better than buying pre-shredded parmesan, but the bags of parm still work fine.
- garlic salt – if you dont have garlic salt, you can use a mix of salt and garlic powder
- black pepper
- olive oil or olive oil spray– to brush or spray on the cutlets before air frying.
** Please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the exact quantities **