Air Fryer Turkey Breast (Very Juicy and Tender)

Best turkey ever? Yes, please! Roasting boneless skinless turkey breast in the air fryer means your turkey tenderloins will be perfectly cooked. This air fryer turkey breast recipe turns out moist, juicy and tender, every time. Let’s air fry ‘em!

See the video

See how to make air fryer turkey legs…

Ingredients for this recipe

You just need a few ingredients for cooking turkey breast in air fryer machines.

Air fryer turkey breast ingredients

• Turkey breast – in this air fryer recipe, I’m demonstrating how to air fry boneless skinless tenderloins (2 breasts, at about 1.5 LB total).
• Olive oil
• Turkey seasoning – you could just use salt and pepper, but for a special holiday like Thanksgiving, I recommend using a poultry seasoning or my homemade blend below.
• Parsley – or any other fresh herbs you like.

Homemade dry rub seasoning for turkey breast

Here are the dry seasonings used to make a perfect seasoning blend for air fried turkey.

• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Sage
• Paprika
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Pepper

What’s the difference between turkey breast and tenderloin?

Turkey tenderloin is boneless and skinless. They are very similar cuts of turkey because the turkey tenderloin is part of the turkey breast. The whole turkey breast is usually purchased bone-in with skin-on. Turkey breast tenderloin is also referred to as turkey breast cutlets and turkey scaloppine.

What will the internal temperature of my air fryer turkey breast be when it is finished cooking?

Your turkey breast will reach 165 degrees F when it is done cooking.

How many turkey breast tenderloins can you air fry at the same time?

In my Phillips XXL Air Fryer, I can cook 2-3 turkey breast tenderloins, about 1.5-3 LBs of turkey breast, in one air fryer basket. This allows enough room around the turkey for the air to circulate so they cook evenly.

Do I need to flip my turkey breast when it is half cooked?

Yes, flipping your turkey breast half way through your air fryer cook time will enable your turkey to cook evenly on all sides.

Can I overlap pieces of turkey breast in the air fryer?

If you’ve got too much turkey to fit without overlapping in your air fryer, you’ll want to cook it in two batches. Since the air fryer works by conveying hot air over the chicken meat, any overlap means air flow will be hampered and your food won’t cook as well with the cooking time listed.

How do you cook frozen turkey breast in air fryer machines?

Ideally, thaw turkey breast overnight in the refrigerator. If that’s not an option, flip the turkey an additional time and cook for an extra ~7-15 minutes depending on the size, or until the safe turkey temperature has been reached. You may want to add half a tablespoon of butter on the top of the turkey breast so it does not dry out during this additional cook time.

How to make turkey breast tenderloin in air fryer

Now I’ll take you step by step through making boneless skinless turkey breast air fryer style.

1. Preheat the air fryer to 350° F for 5 minutes. Pat the boneless turkey breasts dry with a paper towel.
2. Make poultry seasoning. In a small bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the turkey breast dry rub seasoning blend.
3. Season turkey (photo A). Brush half the olive oil on the top of the turkey breasts. Sprinkle half the dry rub poultry seasoning on the turkey. Flip the turkey and brush the other side with the rest of the olive oil, and sprinkle on the remaining seasoning blend.
4. Add turkey tenderloins to the air fryer. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and add the turkey, with ~2” space between them for air to circulate while they roast in the air fryer.
5. Air fry turkey breast 25 minutes at 350° F.  Then flip the turkey over and air fry for 20 minutes (or 25 depending on size) more at the same temperature, or until the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165° F when measured with an instant read thermometer.
6. Rest turkey for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with gravy and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. In addition to gravy, this garlic and herb compound butter is spectacular on turkey.

What can I serve with air fryer turkey breast?

Serve air fryer turkey breast with mashed potatoes and all your favorite turkey fixings—sous vide asparagus and balsamic sous vide Brussel sprouts go well with this meal. And you have to try this chorizo stuffing my husband makes for something a little different. If you aren’t a fan of the traditional mashed potatoes side dish, white rice goes well with turkey also!

See how to enhance a turkey gravy packet…

Air Fryer Recommendations

Air Fryer Machine: In my Sip Bite Go recipe tutorials, you’ll see either my black Philips Airfryer XXL or my spaceship-looking self-cleaning air fryer by Fritaire (partner).

Are you a foodie, too?

Hey home chefs, I want to know what you think about this recipe for boneless turkey breast in air fryer machines.  Find me on Instagram @sipbitego to tag me and connect. People message me photos of their finished recipes and ask for tips all the time, so don’t be shy!

More tasty things to try on Sip Bite Go include this smoked bacon wrapped pork tenderloin and spatchcock turkey smoker recipes.

To find more delicious recipes to try on your culinary journey, scroll through the Sip Bite Go recipe collection. And see my video guides on the Sip Bite Go channel.