Description
This Air Fryer Turkey Breast recipe delivers a juicy, flavorful turkey breast with a buttery herb crust. Using an air fryer makes the cooking process quick and easy, resulting in tender meat with a crisp, seasoned skin. Perfect for a simple weeknight meal or a small holiday gathering, this recipe highlights fresh herbs, garlic, and paprika for a well-rounded flavor profile.
Ingredients
Scale
Butter Mixture
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh herbs (or 1 teaspoon dried herbs)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon ground paprika
- Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Turkey
- 1 (3-lb) turkey breast (bone-in or boneless, half breast recommended)
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature before cooking the turkey breast.
- Make compound butter: In a small bowl, combine the butter, fresh or dried herbs, garlic powder, onion powder, ground paprika, salt, and pepper. Use a fork to mash and mix everything together until the herbs and seasonings are evenly distributed in the butter.
- Season turkey: Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels to help the skin crisp. Gently loosen the skin without tearing it, creating a pocket. Spread half of the compound butter mixture underneath the skin to infuse flavor directly into the meat. Then, spread the remaining butter mixture all over the surface of the turkey, focusing on the skin.
- Air fry: Place the prepared turkey breast in the hot air fryer basket. Cook at 350°F for 30 minutes. Then, check the internal temperature using a meat thermometer. Continue to air fry in 5-10 minute increments until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. For a 2.5-lb bone-in half breast, this typically takes 40-45 minutes total.
- Rest: Remove the turkey breast from the air fryer and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before carving. Resting is crucial as it lets the juices redistribute, resulting in more tender and juicy meat.
Notes
- Using fresh herbs gives the best flavor, but dried herbs can be substituted at one-third the amount.
- Loosen the skin carefully to keep it intact, which helps hold the butter and herbs for maximum flavor.
- Measurement of internal temperature is essential to ensure the turkey is safely cooked and remains juicy.
- Resting the turkey is critical for moisture retention and tenderness.
