Introduction

This air-fryer turkey breast recipe delivers a juicy, flavorful main dish with a beautifully caramelized skin. Using a simple dry rub and the convenience of an air fryer, you can enjoy perfectly cooked turkey with minimal effort. It’s a great alternative to traditional roasting, especially for smaller gatherings.

Air-Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
4 teaspoons poultry seasoning
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1/2 tablespoon coarse kosher salt or 3/4 teaspoon fine salt
1 bone-in, skin-on turkey breast (about 4 pounds), split in half
4 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

Step 1: Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. In a medium bowl, stir together the brown sugar, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt.
Step 2: On the prepared baking sheet, pat the turkey breast halves very dry with paper towels. Remove and discard any pop-up thermometer if present. Season each half all over with the dry rub, rubbing generously until fully coated. Refrigerate uncovered for at least 8 hours or overnight.
Step 3: About an hour before cooking, remove the turkey from the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature.
Step 4: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Brush each turkey breast half with about 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Place the halves in the air fryer basket; you may fit both with slight overlap, or cook one at a time depending on your air fryer size.
Step 5: Cook the turkey, flipping halfway through, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C) and the juices run clear, about 40 to 45 minutes. The sugar in the rub will create a deeply burnished skin.
Step 6: Transfer the turkey to a cutting board or platter and let it rest for 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

If your turkey breast isn’t pre-split, ask your butcher to do it or carefully halve it yourself using a sharp knife for even cooking.
Substitute vegetable oil with olive oil for a richer flavor.
Try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dry rub for a subtle heat kick.
Use a meat thermometer for best results to avoid undercooking or drying out the turkey.

Storage

Store leftover turkey breast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 325°F (163°C) until warmed through to preserve moisture, or slice cold for sandwiches and salads.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I cook a whole turkey breast without splitting it?

While you can cook a whole bone-in turkey breast, splitting it helps ensure more even cooking and fits better in standard air fryer baskets.

What if I don’t have poultry seasoning?

You can substitute with a mix of dried thyme, sage, rosemary, and marjoram to replicate the flavor of poultry seasoning.

Air-Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 87 reviews

This Air-Fryer Turkey Breast recipe delivers a juicy, flavorful turkey breast infused with a smoky and lightly sweet dry rub. Using the air fryer ensures crispy skin and tender meat with less mess and in less time compared to traditional roasting.

Author: Nora
Prep Time: 10 minutes plus 8 hours or overnight marinating
Cook Time: 40 to 45 minutes
Total Time: 8 hours 55 minutes to overnight plus cooking and resting
Yield: Serves 6 to 8 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Rub

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
4 teaspoons poultry seasoning
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1/2 tablespoon coarse kosher salt or 3/4 teaspoon fine salt

Turkey

1 bone-in, skin-on turkey breast (about 4 pounds), split in half
4 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

Prepare Dry Rub and Turkey: Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. In a medium bowl, combine dark brown sugar, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt. Pat the turkey breast halves dry with paper towels, remove any pop-up thermometer if present, then rub the dry mixture generously all over each half. Place uncovered in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight to marinate.
Bring to Room Temperature: About an hour before cooking, remove the turkey from the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature. This helps ensure even cooking.
Preheat Air Fryer and Oil Turkey: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Brush each turkey breast half with approximately 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to promote browning and crisp skin.
Air Fry the Turkey: Arrange the turkey halves in the air fryer basket, nesting them slightly if necessary. Cook at 380°F for 40 to 45 minutes, flipping the breasts halfway through the cooking time. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part. The skin will develop a deeply burnished, crispy crust due to the sugar in the rub.
Rest Before Serving: Transfer the cooked turkey to a cutting board or platter and allow it to rest for 20 minutes. Resting helps the juices redistribute, ensuring moist and tender slices when carving.

Notes

Removing the pop-up thermometer from the turkey breast helps with even seasoning and cooking.
The dry rub can be prepared in advance and stored for convenience.
Make sure to pat the turkey dry for the best crispy skin result.
If your air fryer is small, cook the turkey halves one at a time for best results.
Resting the turkey is critical to keep it juicy and flavorful.

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