Juicy Herb-Butter Turkey Breast in Air Fryer Recipe

Golden, juicy turkey breast seasoned with herb butter in an air fryer becomes the star of your dinner table.

This simple yet impressive dish delivers incredible flavor without hours of traditional roasting.

Herbs and butter create a luxurious coating that locks in moisture and infuses every bite with rich, aromatic goodness.

The air fryer ensures a perfectly crisp exterior while keeping the meat tender and succulent.

Cooking becomes effortless with this streamlined method that produces restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen.

Weeknight dinners or special occasions will never be the same once you master this foolproof technique.

You’ll love how quickly this recipe comes together with minimal cleanup and maximum deliciousness.

How to Serve Air Fryer Turkey Breast

• Herbal Holiday Platter: Create a stunning centerpiece by arranging the herb-butter turkey breast on a large wooden board surrounded by fresh rosemary sprigs, roasted garlic cloves, and colorful seasonal vegetables like baby carrots and Brussels sprouts.
• Wine and Dine Pairing: Complement the rich herb-butter flavors with a crisp white wine like Chardonnay or a light Pinot Grigio. The wine's acidity will beautifully balance the turkey's buttery richness.
• Leftover Magic Makeover: Transform remaining turkey slices into gourmet sandwiches by layering them on crusty sourdough bread with a spread of cream cheese, fresh arugula, and a drizzle of honey mustard. This quick lunch option elevates your leftover turkey into a delectable meal.
• Side Dish Symphony: Serve alongside creamy mashed potatoes, roasted seasonal vegetables, or a bright quinoa salad to create a balanced and satisfying plate that highlights the turkey's herb-infused flavors.

Meal Prep and Storage for Turkey Breast

• Smart Portioning: Slice the turkey breast into meal-sized portions before refrigerating, making future reheating and meal prep a breeze. These individual servings fit perfectly in lunch containers or quick dinner plates.
• Chilled Storage Strategy: Wrap the cooled turkey tightly in aluminum foil or store in airtight containers. Refrigerated turkey stays fresh and delicious for 3-4 days, maintaining its herb-infused flavor and tender texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: For longer storage, freeze turkey slices in freezer-safe bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen turkey keeps its quality for up to 4 months, offering a convenient protein option for future meals.
• Reheating Magic: Gently warm turkey slices in the air fryer at 300°F for 3-4 minutes to restore moisture and crisp edges. Alternatively, use the microwave with a damp paper towel to prevent drying, ensuring each bite remains succulent and flavorful.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 60 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 370 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients for Air Fryer Herb-Butter Turkey Breast

• Dried Thyme, Sage, Rosemary: Transforms the turkey with classic woodland herb essence, selecting fresh and vibrant dried herbs ensures maximum flavor punch.
• Garlic Powder: Delivers smooth, mellow savory undertones without sharp raw garlic intensity.
• Shallot: Introduces gentle, sweet onion-like complexity that melds beautifully with herb profile.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates luxurious herb-infused coating that helps crisp skin and seal in succulent turkey juices, selecting high-quality butter enhances overall taste.

• Kosher Salt, Pepper: Elevates and balances all ingredient flavors, choose coarse kosher salt for clean seasoning and freshly ground pepper for robust aroma.

• Turkey Breast: Serves as delectable canvas for herb butter, selecting bone-in skin-on cut ensures maximum moisture and rich flavor development during air frying.

Air Fryer Tools for Herb-Butter Turkey Breast

• Air Fryer: Essential for cooking the turkey breast to crispy, golden perfection.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for carefully loosening turkey skin and mincing shallots.
• Cutting Board: Provides a stable surface for preparing ingredients and handling raw meat.
• Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining herb butter ingredients and creating the flavor-packed mixture.
• Meat Thermometer: Vital for checking internal temperature and ensuring safe cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure herbs and seasonings for consistent flavor.

Cooking Steps for Herb-Butter Turkey Breast

Flavor Fusion Turkey Breast

• Butter Blend Mixing herbs and softened butter creates a magical flavor base that will transform your turkey from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Skin Massage Gently separate the turkey skin without tearing, creating a secret pocket for our delicious herb mixture to nestle into the meat.
• Butter Canvas Generously spread the herb-infused butter both under the skin and across the turkey's surface, ensuring every inch gets touched by flavor magic.
• Air Fryer Dance Position the turkey in the air fryer basket, cooking at a steady temperature and rotating occasionally to guarantee even browning and consistent cooking throughout.
• Resting Moment After cooking, let the turkey relax for several minutes, allowing the juices to settle and distribute, resulting in a tender and succulent final dish that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

Flavor Enhancers for Herb-Butter Turkey Breast

• Cooking Tips & Variations
• Butter Blend Magic: Experiment with different fresh herbs like chives or parsley to customize your herb butter. Fresh herbs add a vibrant, garden-fresh taste that elevates the turkey's flavor profile.
• Seasoning Swap: Replace dried herbs with fresh ones by using three times the amount. Fresh herbs bring a more intense and bright flavor punch to your turkey breast.
• Crispy Skin Secret: Pat the turkey breast completely dry before applying herb butter. This technique ensures the skin becomes wonderfully crisp and golden brown in the air fryer.
• Flavor Fusion Options: Try adding a splash of white wine or lemon zest to the herb butter for an extra layer of complexity. These additions can transform the traditional recipe into a gourmet experience.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Prepare the herb butter up to three days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. This time-saving tip allows for easy and quick meal preparation when you're ready to cook.

Juicy Air Fryer Herb-Butter Turkey Breast Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Succulent herb-butter turkey breast emerges from an air fryer with crispy skin and juicy meat. Home cooks can easily prepare this flavorful dish that brings festive comfort to weeknight dinners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 bone-in turkey breast (4–5 lbs / 1.8–2.3 kg), with skin on
• 57 g / 2 oz / 0.25 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 0.5 tsp dried sage
• 0.5 tsp dried rosemary
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp kosher salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 1 small shallot, minced

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Instructions

1. Herbal Butter Fusion: Blend softened butter with shallot, dried thyme, sage, rosemary, garlic powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper until a fragrant, uniform mixture forms.
2. Skin Preparation: Delicately separate turkey breast skin from meat, creating a gentle pocket without puncturing, which will serve as a conduit for herb-infused butter to permeate the meat.
3. Butter Application: Massage prepared herb butter underneath the skin, ensuring comprehensive coverage, then distribute the remaining mixture across the turkey breast’s exterior for maximum flavor penetration.
4. Air Fryer Setup: Preheat air fryer to 360°F, strategically position the seasoned turkey breast in the basket to optimize air circulation and promote even cooking.
5. Cooking Rotation: Periodically turn the turkey breast every 15 minutes, monitoring browning and ensuring consistent heat distribution throughout the cooking process.
6. Doneness Verification: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature at the thickest point, confirming it reaches 165°F, which guarantees safe and succulent meat preparation.
7. Resting Phase: Remove turkey breast from air fryer and allow it to rest for 10 minutes, enabling juice redistribution and ensuring a tender, flavorful final presentation.

Notes

• Butter Blending Technique: Mix softened butter with herbs and spices until ingredients form a uniform, fragrant spread with no visible chunks.
• Skin Separation Strategy: Use fingertips to gently loosen skin from meat, creating a delicate pocket without puncturing or tearing the surface.
• Precise Butter Application: Work herb butter underneath skin thoroughly, ensuring complete coverage from tip to base for maximum flavor penetration.
• Resting Period Importance: Allow cooked turkey to rest undisturbed for exactly 10 minutes, which helps redistribute internal juices and prevents moisture loss during slicing.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 420 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 115 mg