Air Fryer Turkey Breast (boneless, tenderloin)

Air fryer turkey breast is a delicious main dish that is perfect from smaller holiday gatherings, or anytime.

Oh friends, this is one of those easy recipes that makes the most juicy, tender boneless turkey breast. You are going to love it!

I know a lot of you will need a main dish for a smaller Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas/ holiday gatherings. This is perfect for that!

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This makes the best turkey! Juicy meat in a fraction of the time, with a fraction of the effort. Delicious enough for Thanksgiving dinner or a weeknight meal.

You could also use this air fryer turkey breast to batch meal-prep some meals to have ready throughout the week. This recipe is very handy for that.👌🏻

And side note: If you can’t get enough air frying, check out all my air fryer recipes.

How to make air fryer turkey breast

First, gather your ingredients.

Ingredients

For tastiest results, always use the best quality ingredients you have access to.

The ingredients for this recipe are pretty simple and consist of the meat and seasonings. I am using a flavor profile very similar to my oven roasted bone-in turkey breast, which is what we make for our larger family Thanksgiving gathering: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, salt and pepper. Be sure and check out that recipe if you are looking for more of a bone-in breast recipe.

To make this air fryer turkey breast recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

• turkey breast tenderloin
• olive oil
• salt and black pepper
• onion powder
• garlic powder
• thyme
• paprika

If you have any fresh herbs, those would be wonderful to throw in, such as the rosemary pictured here. And feel free to sun avocado oil, or oil of choice.

Preparing the meat

Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. It can preheat while you season the meat.

Pat the turkey breast dry with clean paper towels. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme and paprika.

Rub or brush the turkey with the oil all over then rub the spice rub all over the turkey, top, bottom and all sides. 

Air fryer turkey breast time and temperature

Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil spray, place the turkey tenderloin into the basket.

Cooking time – Close the basket and cook the turkey for about 10-12 minutes, flip it over and cook it for 10 more minutes on the other side.

Cook it until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. You can use an instant read thermometer to check the doneness of the turkey.

Once it is done, remove the turkey from the air fryer basket and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing it on a cutting board and serving.

Resting time is critical because it allows the juices to redistribute. If you slice too soon, the juices will all run out on the plate, and you will be left with dry meat. So, leave time to rest, friends.👌🏻

Serve air fryer turkey breast with all your favorite sides for a lovely holiday meal. 

Be sure and check out all my best Thanksgiving recipes if you need ideas for side dishes.

Leftovers

Store leftovers in either aluminum foil or an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

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5 from 12 votes

Print

Air Fryer Turkey Breast (boneless, tenderloin)

Air fryer turkey breast is a delicious main dish that is perfect from smaller holiday gatherings, or anytime.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword air fryer turkey tenderloin

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Rest time 10 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 80 kcal

Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

• 1 turkey breast tenderloin – 1-1.5lbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon thyme
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F.
2. Pat the turkey breast dry with a clean paper towel.
3. In a small mixing bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme and paprika.
4. Rub or brush the turkey with the oil all over then rub the spice rub all over the turkey, top, bottom and all sides.
5. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil spray, place the turkey tenderloin into the basket. Close the basket and cook the turkey for about 10-12 minutes, flip it over and cook it for 10 more minutes on the other side. Cook it until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. You can use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of the turkey. Once it is done, remove the turkey from the air fryer basket and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Recipe Notes

Cooking chart – Most air fryers will hold a 3-5 lb turkey
1-1.5 lb turkey tenderloin – 360 degrees F for 10-12 minutes each side – total time 20 minutes
2-3 lb turkey tenderloin – 360 degrees F for 15 minutes each side – total time 30 minutes
4-5 lb turkey tenderloin – 360 degrees F for 20 minutes each side – total time 40 minutes

Nutrition Facts

Air Fryer Turkey Breast (boneless, tenderloin)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 80 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 3g

Cholesterol 19mg6%

Sodium 320mg14%

Potassium 16mg0%

Carbohydrates 1g0%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 10g20%

Vitamin A 136IU3%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 4mg0%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Note: Air fryer turkey breast tenderloin originally appears on A Pinch of Healthy October 25, 2021.