Cooking a frozen turkey breast in an air fryer is absolutely possible and can result in a quick, easy and delicious main course! Air fryers use super heated air and convection to circulate heat and cook food, making them a great option for cooking frozen foods. With the right cooking times and temperatures, you can make a juicy and flavorful turkey breast in your air fryer. Here are the details on how to cook a frozen Butterball turkey breast in an air fryer.
Benefits of Cooking a Turkey Breast in an Air Fryer
There are several advantages to cooking a frozen turkey breast in an air fryer versus using a traditional oven:
- Shorter cook time – Air fryers can cook food much faster than a regular oven due to the intense circulation of hot air. A turkey breast can be cooked in about 1 hour compared to 2-3 hours in an oven.
- Less fat and calories – The air frying process requires little to no oil, resulting in a leaner and healthier turkey breast.
- Crispy skin – The super heated air will help the turkey skin become crispy and browned.
- More convenient – Air fryers take up less space and heat up more quickly than turning on a large oven.
- Easy cleanup – Since you aren’t dealing with roasting pans and racks, cleanup of the air fryer is simple.
For these reasons, using an air fryer to cook a frozen turkey breast can save time and result in delicious crispy turkey.
Selecting and Preparing the Turkey
When selecting a turkey breast to cook in your air fryer, opt for a boneless, skin-on breast that is around 2 to 3 pounds. This size will fit nicely in most air fryer baskets. The Butterball brand is a great option that can be found prepackaged in the freezer section. Make sure the turkey breast is completely frozen when you start cooking. Do not thaw it out first.
To prepare the turkey breast:
- Remove any packaging and giblet packets.
- Trim away any large chunks of fat or ice crystals.
- Pat the skin of the turkey dry with paper towels.
You do not need to coat the turkey breast in oil or seasoning prior to cooking. The super heated air circulating will help the skin get crispy. However, feel free to season it lightly with salt and pepper if desired.
Cooking Times and Temperatures
The cooking time will vary slightly based on the size and shape of your turkey breast. Generally, you can estimate around 8-10 minutes per pound at an air fryer temperature of 360°F. So for a 3 pound turkey breast, cook for approximately 24 to 30 minutes.
To ensure food safety and doneness, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast. The USDA recommends cooking turkey to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Here are some general air fryer cooking guidelines for frozen turkey breast:
| Turkey Breast Weight | Cooking Time | Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 pounds | 15 to 20 minutes | 360°F |
| 2 to 3 pounds | 24 to 30 minutes | 360°F |
| 3 to 4 pounds | 30 to 40 minutes | 360°F |
Step-by-Step Air Fryer Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked frozen turkey breast:
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F.
- Place the prepared frozen turkey breast skin side up in the air fryer basket.
- Cook for the estimated time based on weight, checking at least 5 minutes early.
- Once timer goes off, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temp. It should reach 165°F.
- If not quite done, cook for 5 to 10 more minutes until 165°F.
- Let turkey breast rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
The turkey skin should become golden brown and crispy in the air fryer. Allowing the cooked breast to rest for a few minutes will help it stay juicy when you cut into it.
Seasoning and Finishing the Turkey
There are many delicious ways to add flavor to your air fried turkey breast:
- Seasoning blends – Coat with Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, ranch seasoning, etc. before cooking.
- Herbs and spices – Brush with olive oil and sprinkle on chopped rosemary, thyme and garlic.
- Compound butters – Top slices with flavored butter blends.
- Sauces and gravies – Serve with cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, chutneys.
Get creative with unique seasoning combinations and condiments! The air fried turkey breast serves as a perfect canvas to layer on delicious flavors.
Serving and Meal Ideas
Some tasty ways to use your cooked air fried turkey breast include:
- Sliced on sandwiches with cranberry sauce, lettuce, and stuffing.
- Diced and added to salads, wraps or grain bowls.
- Paired with mashed potatoes, vegetables and gravy for an easy meal.
- Topped with melted cheese, bacon and ranch in loaded turkey sliders.
- Shredded or chopped to make turkey chili, soup, casseroles or stir fry.
The convenience of quickly cooking turkey in the air fryer means you can easily incorporate it into a variety of delicious everyday meals. Get the whole family involved in seasoning and serving ideas too.
Pro Tips
To get the very best results when making air fried turkey breast, keep these tips in mind:
- Pat the skin really dry before cooking for crisper skin.
- Use light, even seasoning since flavors concentrate in the air fryer.
- Brush skin with oil or butter for more browning if desired.
- Let the turkey breast rest before slicing for juicier meat.
- Double check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
- Add veggies tossed in oil to the air fryer basket alongside the turkey.
Conclusion
Cooking frozen turkey breast in an air fryer is easy and convenient. It delivers moist, flavorful meat in a fraction of the time it takes to roast. With the right size turkey breast and cooking times, you can make deliciously crispy, browned turkey at home with little effort. Season, slice and serve your air fried turkey breast in creative ways for amazing meals any night of the week.