Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe - Skinnytaste (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to air fry or bake turkey? ›

Cooking a turkey in an air fryer is a healthier, and typically quicker, alternative to traditional roasting and proves, again, how versatile air fryers can be. Most of the preparation and cooking steps are the same as those you need to be mindful of when cooking turkey in a regular oven.

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.

To achieve a perfectly golden, juicy turkey, let the bird spend time both covered and uncovered in the oven. We recommend covering your bird for most of the cooking time to prevent it from drying out; then, during the last 30 minutes or so of cooking, remove the cover so the skin crisps in the hot oven.

Air-fryers are known for being a great method for crispy foods, and not just because they manage to do it without much oil. If you prefer your turkey on the crispier side, consider using an air-fryer. All the effort that goes into deep-frying a turkey does result in a rewarding amount of flavor and juiciness.

Air fry for 10 mins per pound or until 165 degrees internal temperature. Spritz every 20 minutes with apple juice. Carve, serve, and enjoy!

A 3-pound boneless turkey breast (like the Butterball turkey breast), cooks in the air fryer in 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes at 350 degrees F. A 4- to 6-pound bone-in turkey breast cooks in the air fryer in 40 to 50 minutes at 350 degrees F.

The answer is yes! With an oven or range that has Air Fry mode, you'll be able to crisp up your turkey in just a few hours on Thanksgiving morning.

Generally, you can expect it to take approximately 10 minutes per pound. Cook times are included as a general guideline. Meat doneness is ALWAYS determined by the meat's internal temperature, not time elapsed. For larger birds and cuts of meat, use a meat thermometer.

It doesn't matter if you're roasting, frying, or smoking your turkey, there's no need to give it a rinse unless you've brined it (more on that below). Cooking the turkey kills any bacteria, but washing a turkey before you cook it opens the door to dangerous cross contamination.

To Cover Or Not To Cover

So, yes, you do want to cover the turkey with foil to give it a chance to roast without getting dry. But then, towards the end of the cook time, remove the foil so the skin—the best part in this writer's opinion—gets a chance to crisp up.

Why air fry instead of bake? ›

An air fryer rapidly circulates heated air throughout the cooking cavity, helping to remove surface moisture from food and create a crispy exterior. Conventional, non-convection ovens use heating elements on the top and bottom of the cooking cavity, leaving the air fairly static.

“Air frying is a healthier option because it essentially eliminates added oils,” confirms registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD, LD. But what is air frying and how does it work? Despite the name, air fryers don't technically fry food. Think of them as mini convection ovens.