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Air-Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe

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.

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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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