This Air Fryer Turkey Breast with Herb Butter is the quickest and easiest way to make the most deliciously moist and juicy turkey with perfectly crispy, golden skin. Coated with rich herb butter, it's packed with savory flavor in every bite and ready in under an hour. Whether you're planning a small Thanksgiving dinner, a holiday gathering, or just an easy family meal, this recipe delivers all the flavor of oven-roasted turkey in a fraction of the time. Best of all, it works with both boneless and bone-in turkey breasts!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Forget spending hours roasting a whole turkey! This air fryer turkey breast takes just 10 minutes to prep and can be ready in under an hour, depending on the size and type of turkey breast.
- Tender and Juicy: The herb butter helps keep the turkey moist and flavorful while the air fryer cooks it to perfection.
- Crispy Golden Skin: The circulating hot air creates beautifully browned, crispy skin without having to turn on the oven.
- Packed with Herb Butter Flavor: A simple combination of butter, fresh herbs, and seasonings gives every bite that delicious, traditional holiday turkey flavor.
- Cleanup is a breeze: Just a swish of soapy water and a drying towel, your air fryer is clean and ready to go another round.
- Perfect for Small Gatherings: No need to cook an entire turkey when you're feeding just 4-6 people. It's ideal for smaller Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas gatherings, or Sunday suppers.
- Frees Up Oven Space: Keep your oven available for all those delicious holiday side dishes while the air fryer takes care of the main course.
Thanksgiving Turkey - Big and Small
Yes! You can cook a turkey breast in the air fryer! And it's amazing! Why air fry a turkey breast? Turkey breasts are the perfect size for two or small families but also work well when you need extra servings for Thanksgiving dinner or large family gatherings.
It's also a quick and easy way to get a delicious and healthy dinner on the table in less than an hour. With a little help from herb butter made with fresh herbs, you'll be amazed at the flavorful, tender, and juicy turkey breast that results.
Tip: If you're having a small holiday celebration another easy meal, and the perfect size for two, is our Air Fryer Cornish Hen.
Ingredients
You only need five simple ingredients to make this incredibly juicy and flavorful turkey breast. The secret is the homemade herb butter, which adds moisture and infuses the turkey with delicious savory flavor as it cooks.
- Turkey Breast: A 3-4 pound turkey breast is perfect for this recipe. Both bone-in and boneless turkey breasts work, although cooking times will vary. Make sure it fits comfortably in your air fryer basket.
- Unsalted Butter: Softened butter is the key to keeping the turkey moist and creating that rich, buttery flavor and beautifully browned skin. Using unsalted butter lets you control the seasoning.
- Fresh Poultry Herbs: A combination of fresh rosemary, thyme, and sage adds that classic Thanksgiving flavor. You can also substitute 1 ½ Tablespoons dried poultry seasoning when fresh herbs aren't available.
- Salt: Enhances the natural flavor of the turkey and brings out the savory goodness of the herbs.
- Black Pepper: Adds just a touch of warmth to round out the flavors.
How to Make a Turkey Breast in the Air Fryer
Making a juicy, golden-brown turkey breast in the air fryer couldn't be easier! Just mix up the herb butter, rub it under and over the turkey skin, and let the air fryer do the rest. You'll have a delicious turkey dinner on the table with minimal effort and easy cleanup.
For Herbed Butter:
- In a small bowl, combine softened butter, salt, pepper, and fresh poultry herbs.
- Stir until well blended. Set aside.
For butter roasted turkey breast:
While you are prepping your turkey breast, turn on the air fryer and preheat for 4 minutes at 350°F.
- Grab the herb butter and divide it into two portions.
- Take one-half of the herb butter mixture and push between the turkey skin and the turkey meat.
- This step will help season the breast and result in juicy meat.
- Use the remaining butter and slather it over the entire top of the turkey breast. This will ensure that nice crispy skin that the family will fight over.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the herb buttered turkey breast flesh side or skin side down into the bottom of the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 20 minutes.
- Turn the breast over and baste with juices from the bottom of the air fryer.
- Air Fry for 20-25 minutes more for a 3-pound breast. Use a digital thermometer to check the temperature, it should read 165°F when it is done. The timing depends on the weight and size of your turkey breast. See notes in the recipe card for specifics.
Let the air-fried turkey breast rest for 10-15 minutes. Place the turkey on a cutting board and, using a sharp knife, carve this gorgeous bird up for a delicious dinner. If you want to know how to start carving it, check out this great tutorial on how to carve a turkey breast.
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An easy dinner for any day of the week and delicious enough for company too. This meal takes less than an hour to pull together and comes out even better than an oven-roasted turkey. Enjoy!
Top Tip: Measure the size of your air fryer before shopping for your turkey breast. If the breast you bought is too large, try removing the ribs with scissors so you are able to flatten it a bit more.
Recipe Tips for Success
Want perfectly juicy turkey with crispy skin every time? These simple tips will help you get the best results.
- Thaw the Turkey Completely: Make sure your turkey breast is fully thawed before cooking so it cooks evenly from the outside to the center.
- Pat It Dry: Use paper towels to thoroughly dry the turkey before adding the herb butter. Removing this excess moisture helps the skin become beautifully crispy.
- Use Softened Butter: Room-temperature butter is much easier to spread under the skin and over the outside of the turkey. Avoid melted butter, which tends to run off.
- Don't Skip the Butter Under the Skin: Gently loosen the skin and spread half the herb butter directly onto the meat. This helps flavor the turkey as it cooks.
- Check the Size of Your Air Fryer: Make sure the turkey breast fits in the basket without touching the heating element and has enough space around it for hot air to circulate.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Air fryer cooking times can vary depending on the size of the turkey breast and the air fryer model. Check the thickest part of the breast and cook until it reaches 165°F.
- Let It Rest Before Slicing: Allow the turkey to rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking. This helps retain its juices, giving you tender, moist slices instead of dry turkey.
Recipe Variations to Make It Your Own
- Add a Garlic Twist: Mix 2-3 cloves of minced garlic into the herb butter for an extra boost of savory flavor.
- Brighten It Up: Add fresh lemon zest to the herb butter for a light, citrusy flavor that pairs beautifully with rosemary and thyme.
- Give It a Smoky Kick: Mix a teaspoon of smoked paprika into the butter for a smoky flavor and even more golden color.
- Make It Cajun Style: Replace the poultry herbs with your favorite Cajun seasoning for a turkey breast with a little Southern flair. Adjust the added salt if your seasoning blend already contains it.
- Try an Italian Twist: Use a mixture of basil, oregano, rosemary, and garlic for a delicious Italian-inspired turkey dinner.
- Add a Touch of Sweetness: Brush the turkey with a little maple syrup mixed with melted butter during the final few minutes of cooking for a lightly sweet, caramelized finish. Be sure to watch it carefully to prevent burning.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Turkey Breast
One of the best things about this easy turkey breast is how well it pairs with all your favorite holiday side dishes. Whether you're making a traditional Thanksgiving dinner or a simple family meal, there are plenty of delicious ways to round out the menu.
For a classic holiday feast, serve it with creamy homemade mashed potatoes, rich mushroom wine gravy, savory stuffing, and a spoonful of cranberry sauce. Add green bean casserole or roasted brussels sprouts and you've got a Thanksgiving dinner everyone will love.
For an easy weeknight dinner, keep things simple with roasted sweet potatoes, steamed green beans, or a fresh garden salad. And don't forget some warm dinner rolls to soak up all those delicious juices!
Prep Ahead
While this turkey breast is at its juiciest and the skin is crispiest when served fresh, there are a few things you can do ahead of time to make dinner even easier.
Prepare the Herb Butter: Mix the softened butter, herbs, salt, and pepper up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, then let it soften before spreading it on the turkey.
Season the Turkey Ahead: You can prepare the turkey with the herb butter up to 24 hours before cooking. Keep it covered in the refrigerator, then cook it when you're ready.
Cook Ahead: If you're preparing for a holiday meal, you can cook the turkey breast a day in advance and refrigerate it. Slice and gently reheat it with a little broth to help keep it moist. Keep in mind that the skin won't be quite as crispy as when it's freshly cooked.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Leftover turkey is one of the best parts of a holiday dinner! It's perfect for sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, and casseroles, so don't let a single delicious bite go to waste.
- Refrigerator: Allow the turkey to cool slightly, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking.
- Freezer: Slice or shred the cooked turkey and place it in freezer-safe containers or bags. Add a little broth to help prevent drying out. Freeze for up to 3 months for the best quality.
- Reheating in the Oven: Place sliced turkey in a baking dish with a splash of chicken or turkey broth. Cover with foil and warm at 300°F until heated through.
- Reheating in the Air Fryer: Place turkey slices in an air fryer-safe dish with a little broth and cover with foil if your air fryer allows it. Heat at 300°F until warmed through, being careful not to overcook.
- Reheating in the Microwave: Place sliced turkey in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of broth. Cover and heat in short intervals until hot.
For food safety, reheat leftover turkey to 165°F.
Frequently Asked Questions
You want to make sure the one you purchase will fit into the basket of your air fryer. Most 5-quart air fryers will fit a 3-5 pound turkey. Also, look for breasts that are flatter and less domed.
You can use any type of turkey breast. it can be with skin or skinless, boneless or bone-in, and full or half breast. I love to leave the skin on to help keep the turkey moist as well as for the extra crispy skin to enjoy.
Cooking time depends on the weight of the turkey breast, whether it's bone-in or boneless, and your air fryer model. A bone-in half breast will take less time than a full bone-in breast while a boneless breast will take the most time.
A half breast will feed 2-4 people while a full breast will feed 6-8 people.
Use a digital meat thermometer with all poultry and make sure that it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Insert a digital meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, avoiding any bones, to get an accurate reading.
The secret to juicy turkey is using herb butter under the skin, avoiding overcooking, and allowing the turkey to rest before slicing. A meat thermometer is especially important because turkey breast is lean and can dry out quickly when overcooked.
For this herb butter recipe, it's best to thaw the turkey breast completely before cooking. Thawing allows you to spread the butter under the skin and helps the turkey cook more evenly. Always thaw turkey safely in the refrigerator or using another USDA-approved method.
Recipes to Make with Leftover Turkey Breast
Turkey Pot Pie - Leftover turkey never tasted so good! Chopped turkey, frozen vegetables, and crescent rolls make a healthier pot pie in under an hour.
Turkey Tetrazzini - is my favorite dish to make after Thanksgiving. Pasta is tossed with turkey, bacon and mushrooms and nestled in a rich cream sauce for the perfect comfort food.
Turkey Pasta Skillet with Cranberry is a delicious one-skillet dinner made with leftover turkey, pasta, vegetables, and bacon stirred into a light cranberry cream sauce. All on the table in 40 minutes.
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Air Fryer Turkey Breast with Herb Butter
Ingredients
- 3-4 lb turkey breast bone-in with skin (see notes for other cuts)
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
- 4 ½ Tablespoons fresh poultry herbs chopped or 1 ½ Tablespoons poultry seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 4-5 minutes.
Herb Butter
- Mix softened butter with chopped herbs, salt, and pepper.
Prepare Turkey Breast
- Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels.
- Separate the skin on the top of the breast gently from the flesh.
- Use half of the herb butter and gently push it under the skin. Cover as much of the turkey under the skin as you can.
- Use the remainder of the butter to slather over the outside of the turkey.
Air Fry the Turkey Breast
- Spray the basket of the preheated air fryer with nonstick spray. Lay the turkey breast skin side down and cook for 20 minutes. This will help render the fat and start the crisping process.
- Carefully turn the turkey breast over, baste with juices from the bottom of the air fryer with a turkey baster, then cook for another 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of your breast, or until it reaches the required 165°F. *See cook times in recipe notes for your particular type of turkey breast
- Check the temperature with a digital thermometer in the thickest part of the breast to make sure the turkey is completely cooked through.
- Let it rest 10-15 minutes before carving
Notes
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Nutrition
This post has been updated with more helpful tips, tasty variations, and ways to use leftovers. It was first published on November 14, 2021.
