Here’s How to Make Crispy Herbed Turkey Breast (with Gravy!) in Your Air Fryer
I’ll admit it: As someone who had never cooked meat in an air fryer before, I was immediately skeptical of this recipe. Really? You can air-fry an entire 4-pound turkey breast? But now that I’ve tried it, I’m extremely excited to announce that yes, you can indeed. The Instant Pot Vortex Plus 7-in-1 Air Fryer Oven well exceeded my expectations and cooked the turkey breast perfectly. (Still an Instant Pot devotee? Here’s how to make this recipe in that.)
How to Cook a Turkey Breast in an Air Fryer
The air fryer works as a high-speed convection oven that can reach very high temperatures to “fry” food with using little to no oil. When cooking protein, the air fryer creates the perfect high-temperature wind oven to evenly cook not only the inside of the meat, but to also brown and crisp the skin just as if it had been deep-fried in hot oil. The result is a juicy turkey breast with the most delicious turkey skin. I would say even dare to say that it tastes better than turkey roasted in the oven.
Better yet, the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 7-in-1 Air Fryer Oven takes the cooking out of your hands and cooks a 4-pound breast in just 50 minutes. All you have to do is flip the breast halfway through cooking. Once it’s done, the air fryer trays are dishwasher safe, so cleanup is a breeze. This really is the most carefree turkey recipe to try this holiday season.
Air Fryer Herbed Turkey Breast with Gravy
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
For the turkey:
- 3 tablespoons
unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon
fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon
chopped fresh rosemary leaves
- 1 tablespoon
chopped fresh sage leaves
- 1 teaspoon
finely grated lemon zest
- 2 cloves
garlic
- 2 teaspoons
kosher salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon
freshly ground black pepper, divided
- 1 (3 to 4-pound)
bone-in turkey breast
For the gravy:
- 4 tablespoons
unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup
all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups
turkey or chicken stock or broth
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Make the turkey: Place 3 tablespoons unsalted butter in a medium bowl and let sit at room temperature until softened. Prepare the following, adding them to the butter: 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary loaves, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage leaves, 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Add 1 teaspoon of the kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon of the ground black pepper, and stir and smash everything together into a paste.
Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. Loosen the skin of the turkey breast. Spread the butter mixture in an even layer under the skin. Season the outside of the turkey breast with the remaining 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper.
Line the bottom tray of an air fryer with a sheet of aluminum foil. Heat the air fryer to 350ºF and set the cook time for 55 minutes. Place turkey skin-side down into the bottom rack of the air fryer when indicated. Cook for 20 minutes. Flip the turkey so it is skin-side up and continue to cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers at least 160ºF, 25 to 30 minutes more. Transfer the turkey to a clean cutting board and let rest at least 10 minutes. Meanwhile, make the gravy.
Make the gravy: Melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in 1/4 cup flour and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. While whisking continuously, slowly pour in 2 1/2 cups turkey or chicken stock, and simmer until the gravy is thickened, about 3 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Carve the turkey and serve with the gravy.