Making a juicy, tender Air Fryer Turkey Breast is easier than you think! Whether it’s for the holidays or a busy weeknight, I’ll show you how to get perfectly cooked turkey every time. With simple tips for boneless and bone-in options, you’ll never have to worry about dry turkey again—just easy, delicious results that everyone will love!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Jeannine raved: “Fantastic. Best turkey breast have ever eaten. Moist and tender and made me wish I’d done two of them so would have had left overs. Tried the butter mix on a whole chicken and air fried it and it was to die for delicious too. Only recipe I’ll ever use in the future. Making myself hungry just writing this. Thanks so very much!!!”
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
If you’ve ever stressed about cooking a whole turkey for the holidays, I feel you. That’s why this air fryer turkey breast has become my go to. It’s easy, quick and still delivers that juicy, golden brown turkey we all want—without wrestling with a big bird in the oven. I’ve used this recipe for everything from Thanksgiving to weeknight dinners and every time it turns out tender, flavorful and foolproof. Whether you just have a small holiday dinner or need a little extra white meat, this is your recipe!
Here’s the secret: you don’t have to be a pro to make this work. I’ve tested and perfected every step and I’ll walk you through how to keep the turkey moist with the right seasoning blend. And if you’re team bone-in turkey don’t worry—I’ve got you covered with easy tweaks so everyone wins.
If you’re thinking “But I don’t have an air fryer!”—don’t worry I’ve got you covered. I’ve included oven instructions so you can make this turkey no matter what equipment you have. Whether you’re hosting a holiday meal or just need a quick weeknight dinner this recipe will keep the stress low and the compliments high. Dry turkey? Not on my watch!
I enjoy giving precise details in my recipe posts to lead my readers through any questions. If you’re just here for the printable recipe, use the Jump to Recipe to head straight there!
You Will Love Boneless Turkey Breast in Air Fryer
- Boneless or Bone-in: For your convenience, I’ve included instructions for both bone-in and boneless breast meat, so you can choose what works best for you.
- Quick Healthy Meal: This turkey is high in protein, low-carb, and low-calorie—and it’s ready in about an hour!
- Turkey Any Day: Turkey isn’t just for Thanksgiving! Make this turkey breast for Christmas, Sunday dinner, or any day of the week when you want a satisfying, healthy meal.
If you love air fryer recipes like me, try these easy recipes; Air Fryer Baked Sweet Potatoes to go along with your turkey and a side of Air Fryer Asparagus and maybe you also want some dark meat, try Air Fryer Turkey Thighs and these Air Fryer Turkey Legs.
Simple Ingredients for Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- Bone-in Breast or Boneless Turkey Breast | Choose about a 3 pound boneless turkey breast or up to a 4 pound bone-in turkey breast. Just be sure either one you choose is thawed completely.
- Butter | When cooking a turkey breast or even a chicken breast, white meat can get dry. That is why I use softened butter to keep the bird moist, adding amazing flavor as well!
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper | Classic and essential seasonings
- Garlic Powder | Use garlic powder to blend with dried spices, or minced garlic if you want to use fresh garlic cloves.
- Herbs | This recipe calls for rosemary, thyme, and sage.
- Smoked Paprika | Not only does paprika add a rich flavor, but it helps the color of the turkey skin too!
- Nutmeg | I love freshly grated nutmeg. But you can use ground nutmeg.
How to Cook Turkey Breast in Air Fryer
Start by preheating the air fryer to 360° F (182° C) and preparing the seasonings and the bird.
Step 1 – Prepare the Fresh Turkey Breast
To start, you will want your turkey to be at room temperature. So go ahead and take it out of the refrigerator and allow it to sit for approximately 30 to 60 minutes while you prepare the remainder of the recipe.
Once the meat is room temp, remove it from the packaging, rinse and pat it down with paper towels inside and out to remove the excess moisture.
Step 2 – Spice Mixture
While the bird sits on the counter, you’ll have time to get the spice rub ingredients measured and into a small mixing bowl.
Then add the softened butter to the spices and mix it well.
Rub the herb butter mixture as much under the skin as you are able and leave a little bit to rub over the top of the skin as well. This works for both bone-in and boneless.
Step 3 – Cooking Turkey in the Air Fryer
Bone-in Turkey breast instructions:
Place the herb butter seasoned bone-in meat skin side up in a 360° F (182° C) preheated air fryer basket. Air fry for 25-30 minutes, then turn and flip the breast. Continue air frying for 20 minutes or so* until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 165° F.
Boneless Turkey Breast instructions:
Place the boneless butter-coated turkey breast in the air fryer for an hour, air frying 360° F (182° C). Rotate and turn the meat about every 15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165° F with your meat thermometer.
*Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your turkey breast and whether it is boneless or bone-in. Just make sure to use an accurate instant-read thermometer and that it reaches 165° F.
Step 4 – Rest the turkey
Once the turkey is all done in the air fryer, carefully remove it and set it on a cutting board. Tent the entire turkey breast with aluminum foil and allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
Air Fried Turkey Breast Recipe Tips
- If the boneless turkey breast you choose has a string net on it, that is alright. Leave it on and tuck that seasoning butter in as much as possible under the skin and all over.
- Dry the turkey well before you season it or the butter will not stick to it!
- Thaw a frozen turkey breast in the refrigerator for 2 days. If you need it faster, place the unopened turkey in a bath of cold water.
- Every air fryer heats and cooks slightly differently. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to determine the correct doneness of your air fryer turkey.
- Place the air fryer tray on a lower rack if using a countertop oven air fryer such as a Cuisinart or Breville. Watch that it doesn’t brown too quickly, if necessary covering with foil during last minutes of air frying.
Tips for Two
Having a smaller Thanksgiving meal this year? This air fryer turkey breast recipe is perfect for two. And if you have leftovers, bonus! – I highly suggest making my Leftover Turkey Tacos. This makes an easy weeknight meal.
For more on thawing a turkey, check out my Turkey Thawing Guide here with free Turkey Guide Printable.
Air Fryer Turkey Breast Variations & Substitutions
- Use your favorite seasonings like Chipotle or Creole seasonings!
- Replace the butter with mayonnaise.
- Try using fresh herbs instead of dried herbs.
- Use your favorite: bone-in turkey breast or boneless turkey breast. Turkey breasts come in different sizes and shapes, so make sure to cook it to the correct temperature (165° F) — some larger breasts will take longer and some air fryers cook slightly differently.
How to Roast Boneless Turkey Breast in the Oven
Even if you haven’t bought an air fryer yet, you can still make this tender, juicy, and flavorful turkey breast.
Preheat the oven to 450° F (230° C) and place a roasting rack in a roasting pan or a 9×13 inch pan. You might want to spray the rack with a little spray oil, I love Avocado oil — it’s great at high heat.
Place your herb butter rubbed turkey breast skin side up on the roasting rack and roast for 20 minutes. Then cover loosely with foil to prevent over-browning and roast another 30-40 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F. Remove from oven, let rest, tented with foil for 15-20 minutes before carving.
How to Store Air Fried Turkey Breast
For leftover turkey, store cooled, cooked turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freeze | Place cooled turkey breast in an airtight container, freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge.
How to Reheat Air Fry Turkey Breast without Drying it Out
Air Fryer Method – Set the air fryer to 325° F (165° C), and wrap desired turkey breast slices inside a foil pocket with a pat of butter or a little broth. Reheat for about 6-10 minutes, and turn the turkey meat halfway through.
Oven Method – Place the desired number of slices of turkey in an oven-safe baking dish, add a pat or two of butter or a little turkey or chicken broth, cover with foil. Reheat in a 325° F (165° C) oven for 20-35 minutes, depending on amount of turkey.
Boneless Turkey Breast Air Fryer FAQs
Cook the boneless turkey breast (about 3 pounds) for about an hour in the air fryer, at 360° F, turning every 15 minutes.
Most people will eat about ½-¾ of a pound. So, this recipe is perfect for 2- 4 people depending on their appetites.
Yes! Follow the instructions in this easy recipe and you will have tender, juicy and not dried out turkey breast!
What to Serve with Air Fryer Boneless Turkey Breast
- Classic Green Bean Casserole with Bacon
- Fall Harvest Salad or try this Harvest Wild Rice Salad
- Autumn Squash Soup
- Cheesy Broccoli Au Gratin
- Potatoes au Gratin (Potatoes Dauphinoise)
- Cheesy Funeral Potatoes
- Southern-Style Green Beans
- Don’t forget the classic Pumpkin Custard Pie or this juicy Apple Pie Recipe.
Recommended Equipment to Air Fry Turkey Breast
- Turn your Instant Pot into an air fryer with this air fryer lid — one less appliance!
- Cosori Air Fryer is the next up, a dedicated air fryer with a larger square basket.
- Ninja Foodi Air Fryer & Indoor Grill — a nice wide and easy to operate air fryer. What I made these French toast sticks in.
- My favorite Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (it does it all!), love, love this air fryer, countertop oven.
- Meat Thermometer | Invest in one, they come in so handy for turkey’s or grilling. Use an instant read thermometer or a probe style.
More great air fryer recipes you will love!
We love our air fryer! Try this air fryer barbecue chicken, or these pigs in blankets with three dipping sauces or this popular air fryer halibut.
More Turkey Recipes + Leftover Turkey Recipes
Every air fryer heats a bit differently; use a meat thermometer to determine doneness. Remove the turkey when it reaches 160-165° F (it will continue cooking). Cover with foil if browning too quickly.
Tent it with aluminum foil and allow the turkey to rest on a cutting board for 10-20 minutes, it will continue to cook, especially bone-in turkey breasts. It’s done once it reaches 165° F.
I hope you loved this recipe for air fryer boneless turkey breast — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest?
Your encouraging comments help others and me! Be sure to ask your questions and leave your comments in the comment section below.
More from The Fresh Cooky
I hope you loved this air fryer boneless turkey breast — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!
Ingredients
Boneless or Bone-In Turkey Breast
- 3 pound boneless turkey breast thawed or 3-4 pound Bone-in Turkey Breast thawed
- 5 tablespoons butter softened, real butter
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon rosemary dried or 1 ½ teaspoons fresh, chopped
- ½ teaspoon thyme dried or 1 ½ teaspoons fresh, chopped
- ½ teaspoon paprika regular or smoked
- ¼ teaspoon ground sage
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg optional, but so good!
Instructions
- Bring turkey breast out and let it sit on the counter for 30-45 minutes before starting the process. Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F.
- Remove turkey breast from the packaging and pat dry with paper towels.
- Mix spices in a small bowl, then add softened butter, mixing well. Rub the mixture as much under the skin as you are able. Leave a little bit to rub over the top of the skin as well. On boneless turkey breasts, don't remove the netting, instead try and tuck the butter rub under skin where you can and lift and stretch netting to get as much under as possible.
Bone-In Turkey Breast
- For bone-in turkey breast, place skin side up in air fryer basket and air fry for 20-25 minutes, then turn and flip and air fry an additional 20 minutes or so* until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 165 degrees F.
- *Cooking times will vary based on the size of your turkey breast; make sure to use an instant-read thermometer reads 165° F. If turkey is not at 160° F, continue cooking in air fryer at 10-minute intervals and take temperature, cover with aluminum if the skin browns too much. Larger turkey breasts will take longer.
Boneless Turkey Breast
- Place coated boneless turkey breast in the air fryer for an hour, rotating and turning about every 15 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165 F. Tent with foil if browning too much before it reaches the correct internal temperature. If needed, keep cooking in air fryer at 10 minute intervals, taking the temperature until it reaches 160-165° F. Larger turkey breasts will take longer.
Resting and Carving Instructions for Both Bone-In or Boneless Turkey Breast
- Once your turkey breast reaches 160-165° F, remove either boneless or bone-in turkey breast and set on a cutting board, tenting with foil and allowing to rest 10-15 minutes before carving.
- *Cooking times will vary based on the size of your turkey breast, just make sure to use a solid instant read thermometer making sure it reaches 165° F.
Notes
- If using a countertop oven air fryer such as a Cuisinart or Breville, place the air fryer tray on a lower rack. Watch that it doesn’t brown too quickly, if necessary cover it with foil during last minutes of air frying.
- If the boneless turkey breast you choose has a string net on it, that is alright. Leave it on and tuck that seasoning butter in as much as possible under the skin and all over.
- Dry the turkey well before you season it or the butter will not stick to it!
- Thaw a frozen turkey breast in the refrigerator for 2 days. If you need it faster, place the unopened turkey in a bath of cold water.
- For leftover turkey, store cooled, cooked turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freeze | Place cooled turkey breast in an airtight container, freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge.
- Air Fryer Reheat | Set the air fryer to 325° F, place desired turkey slices in foil packet, and reheat for 6-10 minutes, turning half way through.
- Oven Reheat | Preheat oven to 325° F (165° C), place slices in oven-safe dish, add a pat of butter or a tablespoon or two of broth, cover with foil, heat 20-35 minutes until warm.
- Use your favorite seasonings like Chipotle or Creole seasonings!
- Replace the butter with mayonnaise.
- Try using fresh herbs instead of dried herbs.
- Use your favorite; bone-in or boneless turkey breast. Turkey breasts come in different sizes and shapes, make sure it’s cooks to the correct temperature — some larger breasts will take longer and some air fryer’s cook slightly differently.
Nutrition
Janet
So moist. I struggled to get the butter to stick so finally just spread it across the top. Everyone enjoyed it.
That works! If the turkey is too wet the butter won’t stick. But sounds like you figured it out! So glad you enjoyed it.
Jeannine
Fantastic. Best turkey breast have ever eaten. Moist and tender and made me wish I’d done two of them so would have had left overs. Tried the butter mix on a whole chicken and air fried it and it was to die for delicious too. Only recipe I’ll ever use in the future. Making myself hungry just writing this. Thanks so very much!!!
Jeannine—you just made my month! Thank you so much for your sweet words!!! Have a beautiful day! Kathleen
Marcy
Easy, easy clean up, everybody loved it. My breast came with a gravy packet to which I added the pan drippings and a bit of cream. Yum!
Yum is right, Marcy! Thank you so much!!
Jennifer
Thank you for this, I literally have been looking through tons of recipes for Christmas dinner that can be made without an oven.
I live in florida & unfortunately due to our last storm it did something to my oven bake part so the only parts working is the broil n stove top, I was devastated thinking how will we have Christmas dinner now but then I found a few of your recipes, tried them in advance & I could have cried ….I finally found something to save Christmas dinner thanks to you so I thought I’d share. I’m very grateful ???? , thank you dearly & Merry Christmas ???? ????
Oh Jennifer, I have heard from friends about the devastation that hurricane wrought – I’m so sorry it knocked out your oven! So so glad that it worked well!! Trust you also saw the turkey thighs and legs, you could cook them all at different times and simply rewarm them! A very blessed and Merry Christmas to you too!! ❤️????❤️????
nancy
i love your timing on this air fry turkey breast! It comes out really juicy and zero fail!
Thank you!
It really does!! Thanks!
Tara
This turkey breast is so juicy and tender! The air fryer made it easier than ever.
Thank you Tara, so glad you liked it!
Doesn’t it tho!! Thanks Tara!
Tayler
We used this recipe for thanksgiving and it was the best turkey we’ve ever had! Thanks so much for sharing!
YAY! And you are welcome!
Soo glad to hear that!!
Diane
I plan to.make this but have a question. Do you actually use the “air fry” selection or the “oven” selection on the air fryer when cooking the turkey breast?
The air fry function, if you have a countertop model make sure the rack is on the lower side and if needed cover with foil if it’s getting brown too quickly.
Seema Doraiswamy Sriram
The airfryer turkey breast recipe shows the perfection of cooking. Super happy with the step-by-step guide to achieving the same result.
So glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you!
Amy
Came out fantastic and almost just as beautiful as that first picture! Was the perfect amount for our small group this year!
So glad to hear! Thank you so much!
So glad it turned out well for you Amy!
Jules
This recipe was amazing! My grocery store had buy one get one sales for turkey breast and this recipe was so moist and delicious.
Perfect, extra light meat!! YAY!
Amy Nash
This was so juicy, delicious, and easy! I made this for a pre-Thanksgiving meal since our family is traveling for the actual holiday and it was perfect!
Perfect Amy!! Thank you!
Jennifer
I am deep frying two turkeys this year but I did have a request for a “regular” turkey LOL. And since I only have one oven I am air frying it. Thanks for all the great tips and can’t wait to try it!
I love it Jennifer! This will be a great way to cook extra “regular” Turkey! What a feast!
Tristin
You have so many great tips here, I just know my turkey is going to turn out perfectly for Thanksgiving!
Fabulous Tristin!! Happy Thanksgiving!
Erin
I made this for dinner earlier this week, and my kids went WILD for it. Such a good recipe and so easy to do perfectly!
Yay!! Always makes me so happy!
Nikki
Loved how easy this is to make! So much flavor and juicy too!!
Thank you Nikki!!
Lynn
We just got an air fryer this year, so this was perfect for us!! Thank you!
Yay! So glad you loved it!
Eliza
Another fantastic Fresh Cooky recipe! The combination of butter and spices gives this turkey breast such amazing flavor, and it’s the perfect size for our smaller gathering this year.
Thank you so much Eliza, I appreciate you!
Minnie
So very delicious! Juicy and incredible flavors. I used a boneless turkey breast and followed the recipe exactly.
That’s fabulous Minnie, so glad you enjoyed it!
Debi
I actually found turkey breasts at my grocery store, so I gave this a try. The meat was tender and juicy. Easy to make too.
Fantastic Debi, so glad you enjoyed it!