This air fryer boneless turkey breast is a quick, juicy, tender meat perfect for Thanksgiving dinner and so much easier than roasting a whole turkey! Moist and full of protein, it’s simple to make so you can be in and out of the kitchen in less than 30 minutes. Pair it with all your favourite sides for a tasty meal everyone will enjoy! {Gluten-free, dairy-free & paleo}
Air Fryer Turkey Breast Tenderloin – So Juicy!
Turkey dinner is a staple in our house during the holiday season, and for many years, I watched my mom spend countless hours in the kitchen fussing over the whole bird, while missing out on the holiday fun.
This year, for a small family gathering, we decided to keep things simple by preparing a boneless turkey breast in the air fryer, and we couldn’t believe how easy and flavourful it was!
From start to finish, this entire recipe is ready in just 30 minutes. Even better, it cuts down on waste since my family is not huge on dark meat. Plus, it’s super juicy and cleanup is a breeze!
The secret to locking in flavour and keeping the meat moist is the marinade. A simple combination of orange juice, olive oil and spices is spread on top of the meat prior to cooking, which creates the most irresistible flavour. Plus, it’s super low fuss since no basting or stuffing is required.
When dinner time rolls around, whip up all your sides like sweet potato casserole and cranberry sauce, and pop the turkey breast tenderloin in the air fryer at the last minute. You won’t believe how quickly your entire meal comes together, and your guests will be raving about the delicious and juicy turkey!
For more tasty ways to cook up turkey, be sure to check out this Slow Cooker Turkey Roast or Stuffed Turkey Breast with Orange Honey Glaze!
Why We Love This Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe
- Quick: Unlike traditional roasted turkey recipes that can require lots of prep work and hours in the kitchen, this air fryer boneless turkey breast is ready in a fraction of the time. Perfect for a smaller thanksgiving or holiday dinner, and easy weeknight meal!
- Healthy: A good source of high-quality protein, turkey breast is lean and low carb, making it a nutritious option that will keep you feeling full.
- Juicy: Say goodbye to dry, overcooked turkey! The use of an orange juice marinade and the air fryer allows for a crisp outside, yet tender and juicy centre, for a Thanksgiving dinner recipe that can’t be beat.
Ingredient Notes
- Seasonings: Dried thyme, dried rosemary, chili powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper combine to create a sweet, smokey, and savoury flavour that’s out-of-this-world delicious. You can use some fresh herbs if you prefer as well.
- Sugar: Coconut sugar is included to boost the taste and help the turkey brown. Brown sugar can be used as well.
- Turkey: Boneless skinless turkey breast forms the base of this dish. Feel free to use a skin-on turkey breast, if you prefer crispy skin.
- Olive Oil: Helps infuse extra moisture for a juicier turkey. You can use extra-virgin olive oil or light olive oil. Canola also works well.
- Orange Juice: Used to enhance the sweetness of the rest of the ingredients and caramelize the meat creating a crisp and tender exterior.
How to Make Boneless Turkey Breast in Air Fryer
Step 1 – Prepare Marinade for Turkey Breast
- Mix together all of the ingredients for the spice rub in a small mixing bowl or jar.
- Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. Next, rub the turkey breast all over with olive oil and orange juice. You may also wish to cut the turkey breast in half at this point if it’s rather large.
- Then, rub the spice mixture all over the entire turkey breast, including the top, bottom, and all of its sides.
Step 2 – Cook Turkey Breast
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil spray, and place the turkey breast (or breast halves) into the basket. Close the basket, and cook the turkey for about 10-12 minutes. Flip it over, and roast turkey for 10 more minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
Step 3 – Allow to Rest, Slice & Serve
- Once it’s cooked, remove the boneless breast from the air fryer basket, and let turkey rest for 10-15 minutes on a plate tented with aluminum foil before slicing it on a cutting board and serving.
How Long to Cook Turkey Breast in Air Fryer
Keep in mind that most air fryers will hold a 3-5 lb turkey breast, however, cooking times will vary depending on the size of the breast and the type and size of your air fryer. See approximate cooking times in the cooking chart below.
Cooking Chart:
- 1-1.5 lb turkey tenderloin – 360 degrees F for 10-12 minutes each side for a total time of about 20 minutes.
- 2-3 lb turkey tenderloin – 360 degrees F for 15 minutes each side for a total time of about 30 minutes.
- 4-5 lb turkey tenderloin – 360 degrees F for 20 minutes each side for a total time of about 40 minutes.
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!
Tips for the Best Turkey Breast Recipe
- You can cut your turkey breast in half if it’s rather large. This will help it to cook faster and also allow for more flavourful turkey since there will be more seasoning in each bite.
- I cut my 1.5 lb turkey breast in half so I only cooked each half for 10 minutes on the first side and 5 minutes on the second side. This recipe was tested in the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer, so cooking times may be slightly different depending on the type of air fryer you have.
- The ingredients and instructions are based on a 1.5 lb turkey breast tenderloin – adjust cooking time depending on the size of your turkey breast.
- If you have time, allow the turkey breast to marinate in the olive oil, orange juice and spices for at least 30 minutes before cooking to allow more of the flavour to infuse into the turkey.
- Be careful not to overcook the turkey breast, or it will turn out dry and tough. Instead, cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- If you’ve got leftover turkey breast, use it to make this delicious Leftover Turkey Soup!
Recipe FAQs
Whole boneless turkey breasts or tenderloins can be found in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores. You can also typically find them by visiting your local butcher or meat shop.
The key to locking in moisture is to create a marinade for your turkey breast and cook it quickly at a high temperature. Tenting it with foil after it’s finished cooking can also help lock in the juices for a juicier turkey breast.
To cook completely, you’ll want to insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast to ensure the internal temperature of your turkey reaches 165 degrees F.
Yes, as long as your turkey breast has been completely cooked, it can easily be frozen to enjoy in the future!
Yes! However, a bone-in breast takes slightly longer to cook. So, keep an eye on your meat, and adjust the air frying cooking time as needed.
How to Store
Transfer cooked leftover turkey to an airtight container, and keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. Or, slice it, wrap the pieces in foil, transfer them to a resealable bag or airtight container, and freeze your turkey for up to 4 months.
How to Reheat Turkey Breast in Air Fryer
To reheat leftovers without drying them out, start by allowing the thawed turkey to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. Then, preheat the air fryer to 325 degrees F. Create a foil packet by transferring the meat to foil, gently pouring broth on top, and wrapping it all up. Air fry for 8-10 minutes per pound of turkey, and enjoy!
What to Serve with Turkey Breast
There are so many ways to serve this air fryer boneless turkey breast! Eat it as is or top it up with some of this gravy without drippings. Pair it with fancier side dishes for a holiday meal or simple staples for an easy weeknight dinner.
Some of my favourite options include:
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash Cubes
- Thanksgiving Sausage Stuffing
- Healthy Roasted Potatoes
- Oven Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes
- Quinoa Salad with Cranberries, Pomegranate & Butternut Squash
- Healthy Squash Casserole
- Maple Bacon Brussel Sprouts
- Butternut Squash Barley Risotto
- Healthy Mashed Potatoes
- Green Bean Almondine
- Roasted Ranch Carrots
Recipe Variations & Ideas
- Swap the seasonings: Feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices, or opt for a store-bought blend for a recipe that satisfies all your tastebuds.
- Use mayonnaise: Swap out the oil for mayonnaise for an equally tender and juicy turkey breast.
- Opt for chicken: Not a fan of turkey? Use boneless chicken breast instead!
More Similar Recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Baking Powder
- Air Fryer Chicken Bites
- How to Make Zucchini Fries in Air Fryer
- Dry Rub for Chicken Wings
- Healthy Turkey Wrap
- Christmas Beef Roast
- Cranberry Party Meatballs
Did you make this recipe? Scroll down to leave a star rating and review!
Air Fryer Boneless Turkey Breast
Ingredients
For the turkey seasoning:
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 1 1/2 teaspoons coconut sugar (or sub in brown sugar)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
For the turkey breast:
- 1 1/2 pound boneless turkey breast
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
Instructions
- Mix together all of the ingredients for the turkey seasoning in a bowl or jar.
- Rub the turkey breast all over with olive oil and orange juice. You may also wish to cut the turkey breast in half at this point if it's rather large.
- Rub the spice mixture all over the turkey breast, across the top, bottom and all sides.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil spray, place the turkey breast (or breast halves) into the basket. Close the basket and cook the turkey for about 10-12 minutes on the first side; flip it over and cook it for 10 more minutes on the other side or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. You can use a meat thermometer to check whether the turkey is cooked through.
- Once it’s cooked, remove the turkey from the air fryer basket and allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes on a plate tented with foil before slicing and serving. Serve warm with your favourite sides.
Notes
- You can cut your turkey breast in half if it’s rather large. This will help it to cook faster and also allow for more flavourful turkey since there will be more seasoning in each bite.
- I cut my 1.5 lb turkey breast in half so I only cooked each half for 10 minutes on the first side and 5 minutes on the second side. This recipe was tested in the Ninja Foodi Air Fryer, so cooking times may be slightly different depending on the type of air fryer you have.
- The ingredients and instructions are based on a 1.5 lb turkey breast tenderloin – adjust cooking time depending on the size of your turkey breast.
- If you have time, allow the turkey breast to marinate in the olive oil, orange juice and spices for at least 30 minutes before cooking to allow more of the flavour to infuse into the turkey.
- Be careful not to overcook the turkey breast, or it will turn out dry and tough. Instead, cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
such a great flavourful recipe! Thanks so much Elysia
So glad you enjoyed the recipe!