This air fryer turkey breast recipe is going to become your new favorite way to make a quick turkey. It is just so incredibly good and flavorful. Plus, I’m sharing how to make gravy from the drippings too!
I’ve been loving my air fryer so much that I left it sitting on the counter instead of putting it away.
I got a turkey breast, and was going to be making my instant pot turkey breast recipe (also super good btw). My husband walked by and saw the turkey out (thawing) and said “do you think you the turkey would work in the air fryer?” I had to try it!!
And in case you don’t have an air fryer, I’ve heard that Instant Pot came out with an Air Fryer attachment lid, so you can always try that.
The end result of making a turkey breast in the air fryer was so flavorful and delicious – juicy meat and a beautiful brown skin – that we’ve been making turkey breasts for regular weeknight meals too (leftovers slice up beautifully for sandwiches!)
What ingredients do you need for an air fryer turkey breast?
For the turkey:
- Turkey breast roast – if yours comes with the giblets and twine, be sure to remove those. And you can use a turkey breast with or without bones; certainly boneless is easier to work with (my preference)!
- EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil- this simple pantry ingredient is used to make the delicious seasonings stick
- Garlic salt and onion powder – making the turkey breast extra flavorful!
For the gravy:
- Flour – flour helps the gravy thicken up.
- Soy sauce – this is my favorite unexpected ingredient in gravy. Soy sauce adds a bit of saltiness to help cut the fats in the gravy, and gives gravy a nice light brown color.
- Milk – the milks makes the gravy creamy, we use whole milk but you could use a different fat level if you’d prefer.
- Chicken stock – if you don’t have any stock, you can simply use water for this as well.
- Turkey drippings – the drippings come right from making your turkey breast and help make the most delicious gravy (I just pour them directly from the air fryer into the pan)
- Salt and pepper – you just need a quick dash for the gravy.
Ok, so how do I make turkey in an air fryer?
For the turkey:
Remove giblets and any string. Pat dry. Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Rub both sides of the turkey breast with olive oil and sprinkle seasonings between two sides. Place in air fryer basket (make sure it doesn’t touch the top of air fryer!)
Cook at 350 for 25 minutes, then use tongs and flip the turkey breast and cook for another 20 minutes, or until a thermometer reads 165 in the biggest/thickest part of the turkey breast. Remove from basket and place on a cutting board with foil tented over it and allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing/serving.
While turkey rests make the gravy.
For the gravy:
In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter and then add in flour – it will be very thick, whisk vigorously until a smooth paste forms.
Slowly add in soy sauce, milk, broth and turkey drippings from the air fryer and seasonings and whisk until no lumps remain. Cook, stirring until gravy comes to a slow boil, then reduce heat to low and cook until the gravy thickens to the desired consistency (mine usually is about 5 minutes).
If it gets too thick, add in a little more milk.
Nick usually only eats turkey because he feels like he “has to” on Thanksgiving, and even then only eats the dark meat, so he was skeptical to say the least. He said he surprised himself by wanting seconds of this turkey breast made in the air fryer!!!
Here are some tips to help you make this air fryer turkey breast:
- There are so many different types of air fryers; please make sure to check that the turkey breast roast doesn’t touch the top of the air fryer. You can cut the roast to fit if it doesn’t. My air fryer (3qt basket) fit a 3-5 lb turkey breast roast no problems.
- If the turkey breast comes in giblets or wrapped in twine, remove both before cooking.
- You can use a turkey breast with or without a bone for this recipe. I used one without a bone because it’s a lot easier to cut/serve and cook.
- Cooking times may vary slightly. Be sure to check the internal temperature; for turkey it should be at 165. I like to use a digital thermometer. I love that air fryers are so easy to open and check (vs. an instant pot where you can’t easily open the lid until the end).
- As the turkey rests after it is done cooking, make the gravy out of the drippings.
All I have to say is yes yes yes and yes! Turkey in the air fryer is super easy, super flavorful with juicy meat and crispy skin. It is perfection and great for a small family thanksgiving meal or for making any time really.
I’m making another one this week and am going to be using leftovers to make Thanksgiving leftover breakfast sandwiches and paninis with air fryer turkey breast, brie, and leftover cranberry sauce. Sometimes leftovers are the best part!
Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3-5 lb. turkey breast roast giblets and twine removed, with or without bones
- 2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic salt
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp fresh cracked pepper
For the gravy
- 2 Tbs butter
- 2 Tbs flour
- 1 Tbs soy sauce
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup water or chicken stock
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup turkey drippings
- dash salt and pepper
Instructions
For the turkey
- Remove giblets and any string. Pat dry. Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Rub both sides of the turkey breast with olive oil and sprinkle seasonings between two sides. Place in air fryer basket (make sure it doesn't touch the top of air fryer!)
- Cook at 350 for 25 minutes, then use tongs and flip the turkey breast and cook for another 20 minutes, or until a thermometer reads 165 in the biggest/thickest part of the turkey breast. Remove from basket and place on a cutting board with foil tented over it and allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing/serving.
- While turkey rests make the gravy.
For the gravy
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter and then add in flour - it will be very thick, whisk vigorously until a smooth paste forms.
- Slowly add in soy sauce, milk, broth and turkey drippings from the air fryer and seasonings and whisk until no lumps remain. Cook, stirring until gravy comes to a slow boil, then reduce heat to low and cook until the gravy thickens to the desired consistency (mine usually is about 5 minutes).
- If it gets too thick, add in a little more milk.
Notes
Nutrition
Cheryl says
So easy, very juicy. We like it for sandwiches.
Sweetphi says
We love it for sandwiches too, so yummy! Thank you for taking the time to come and leave feedback, I truly appreciate it!!