Made effortless when cooked in an air fryer, this Butter & Herb Turkey Breast is a delicious meal during the holidays or whenever you’re in the mood for succulent turkey breast. Read on and I, Chef Jenn, will show you all my tips and tricks to make this juicy and tender air fryer turkey breast!
Turkey isn’t just for holidays any more! This versatile protein has a mild flavor that pairs oh-so well with so many flavors and side dishes. And, with plenty of different cuts available, you can enjoy it all year long.
Hungry for a slice or two of juicy and herby turkey breast? Read on!
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What you need to make air fryer turkey breast
- An air fryer – I use a Cuisinart oven-style air fryer.
- Digital instant read thermometer – don’t rely on the plastic popup devices to tell you when the turkey is cooked!
- Basting brush – the silicone ones are amazing!
- Turkey breast – bone-in will give you so much more flavor!
- Dried herbs of your choice – I used a French blend of thyme, oregano, lavender, and rosemary
- Butter – salted is best
- Salt and pepper
How To Make This Easy turkey Breast Recipe
For maximum flavor, I used skin-on turkey breast on the bone. Yes, you pay a bit more for the bone (versus just paying for the weight of the meat) but I find that the bone really helps the turkey breast from drying out. It also cooks more evenly because the bone keeps the breast elevated a bit which allows the heat to circulate under the bone.
This recipe really couldn’t be any easier.
- Season the turkey breast with salt and pepper.
- Mix softened butter with your herbs of choice.
- Spread half the butter mixture on the turkey breast and cook it in the air fryer.
- About halfway through the cooking time brush on the remaining butter.
- Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165F on a digital thermometer.
- Tent it with foil and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
A Word On Air Fryers
There are all kinds of air fryers out there! I use a Cuisinart oven-style air fryer because it isn’t just a one-trick pony. This countertop version has air fryer, oven, toaster, broil, and convection settings so I use it A LOT!
In fact, I use my regular oven far less often these days, thanks to my air fryer.
Most air fryers will handle this recipe, but because of the size of a turkey breast, make sure yours has a large enough capacity to comfortably fit the turkey breast.
Always check the manufacturer’s recommended cooking settings and times. The ones I give for this recipe are what works in the model I use.
What Herbs Should I Use?
Thyme, marjoram, sage, small amounts of rosemary, parsley, and tarragon are all great choices for turkey.
You can make your own dried herb blend by mixing 1 tsp each of your favorite herbs to make a total of 6 teaspoons or the 2 tbsp that are required for this recipe.
Or, use a ready-made spice blend. Some good choices are:
- Italian herb blend
- Greek spices
- French / Provencal herbs
Chef Jenn’s Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- Use salted butter in this air fryer recipe, or add 1 tsp of salt to the butter and herb mixture
- Use good quality dried herbs in this recipe. Fresh herbs will burn.
- Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towel before adding the butter and it’ll stick better.
- No culinary brush? Use the back of a spoon to smear the herb butter over the turkey breast.
- If your turkey breast is getting too brown, cover it with foil.
- Use a digital thermometer and test the temperature of the turkey in the thickest part. Pull it out when it reaches 165-F.
- To get crispy skin, if it’s not already, pop it under the broiler for a minute or two.
What To Serve With This Air fryer Turkey Breast Recipe
Oh, now the fun starts! This is such a versatile turkey and it pairs so nicely with so many other flavors!
Go for a rich and creamy broccoli casserole with Parmesan, opt for a fall favorite like Brussels sprouts, or go with a creamy mashed cauliflower. It’s time to indulge with all your favorites!
What To Do With Leftover Turkey Breast
Use your leftover turkey to make a delicious turkey chaffle sandwich, or pop it into a turkey soup or this amazing veg and turkey casserole.
Save the bones in a bag in the freezer, and after 4-5 turkey breast bones, you can make turkey stock.
Is this Low Carb Turkey Recipe Freezer Friendly?
Yes, you can freeze this turkey. But, wrap it tightly and if possible, use a vacuum sealer to package it so that it doesn’t get frosty or frost-bite in your freezer.
What About Air Fryer Boneless Turkey Breast?
You certainly can do a boneless turkey breast the same way in the air fryer.
Follow the same cooking directions but the cooking times will be different. Cook the turkey breast to an internal temperature of 165-F then let it rest prior to slicing.
Yes! Air fryers use rapid air technology to cook and so the temperature remains more constant and circulates far better than a regular oven. This turkey breast recipe cooks in about half the time in an air fryer versus a regular oven.
It sure is! Turkey is an excellent source of protein and it is a ZERO carb food which makes this dish totally keto.
It’s easy! Flavor the turkey breast with spices or herbs and pop it in the air fryer at 375F. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the turkey breast and the temperature when it went in, but account for about 45 minutes. Use a digital thermometer to cook it perfectly. Pull the turkey out when it reaches 165F.
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Step By Step Process
Ingredients to make air fryer turkey breast. 
Mix the herbs into the butter. 
Brush half the mixture over the turkey now, the rest halfway through the cooking time. 
Rest before slicing.
Butter & Herb Turkey Breast
Ingredients
- 1 turkey breast bone-in; skin-on
- 2 tbsp dried herbs thyme, marjoram, parsley, oregano, tarragon – use a mixture!
- 2 tbsp butter softened
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels.
- Season well with the salt and pepper.
- Mix the dried herbs into the softened butter. Using the basting brush, spread half the mixture onto the turkey breast.
- Pop it into the air fryer at 375-F for about 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165F.
- After about 20 minutes, brush on the remaining butter and herb mixture.
- Let it rest, covered with foil, for 10 minutes prior to slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
A Note on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed. Erythritol carbs (sugar substitutes) are not included in the carbohydrate counts as they have been shown not to impact blood sugar, and they have zero calories and zero carbs. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Chef Jenn’s Favorites
I thought I’d take a minute to share with you some of my current favorite recipes! At the time of posting this one, I’m currently raving about:
- This Southern inspired chicken casserole
- A dump-and-go Instant Pot sauerkraut & brats recipe
- This deeelish beefy veg soup
- and for breakfast, egg bites!
And, if you need help counting carbs, check out this handy net carb calculator!
This turkey breast was so juicy and the skin so crispy I can’t wait to make this again! Thanks Jenn for sharing such a great recipe!
What an easy recipe for turkey breasts!
I really need to get myself an air fryer, I keep seeing wonderful recipes like this one that I would have never believed could be cooked in one! So many lovely flavours and that lovely crispy crust – yum!
That herb crust – its omg delicious! Great recipe!
I use my air fryer a lot too but I haven’t made turkey in it yet. Thanks for the great info. I am making this tomorrow. Can’t wait!
Are you cooking in a glass Pyrex dish?
If your pyrex can take the heat of an airfryer – and fit – you can use that. I’ve done this turkey in both a basket and oven type air fryer. In the basket type, I just pop it right onto the basket insert. In the oven type, I cook it on a tray in the machine. Good luck! ~Jenn
Can I use a boneless turkey breast?
For sure, just watch the cooking time. It won’t take quite so long to cook. ~Jenn
Looks wonderful – can it be baked in a regular or convection oven? No air frier in my kitchen, Thanks.
You can, yes! I’d roast it at about 325-F. Keep an eye on the temperature of the turkey breast and pull it out of the oven when it gets to 165F. Don’t trust those little popup thermometers! ~Jenn