Cooking a juicy and flavorful turkey breast at home can seem daunting, but it’s actually quite easy with the right tools! The Ninja Foodi XL Pro air oven is an excellent choice for cooking turkey breasts because it combines the crisping and browning of an air fryer with the moist heat of an oven. Here’s a step-by-step guide to cooking a perfect turkey breast in your Ninja Foodi.
Benefits of cooking turkey breast in the Ninja Foodi XL Pro
There are several advantages to using the Ninja Foodi XL Pro air oven for cooking turkey breasts:
- Moist and juicy meat – The combination of air frying and oven baking locks in moisture.
- Easy to monitor – The see-through window allows you to check on doneness easily.
- Crispy skin – The super heated air circulates around the turkey breast to help crisp up the skin.
- Cooks fast – The turkey breast cooks quickly thanks to the rapid air frying technology.
- Versatile – Can cook a small 2 lb breast or a large 5 lb breast.
- Less oil needed – Only a small amount of oil is needed to crisp the skin.
The Ninja Foodi XL Pro is the ideal appliance for cooking turkey breasts to crispy, golden brown perfection.
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to cook a turkey breast in the Ninja Foodi XL Pro:
- 1 bone-in turkey breast (2-5 lbs)
- Olive oil or avocado oil
- Dry poultry seasoning
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or sage (optional)
- Compound butter (optional)
- Aluminum foil
Make sure the turkey breast is completely thawed before cooking. The Ninja Foodi XL Pro can fit turkey breasts between 2-5 lbs.
Preparing the turkey breast
Follow these simple steps to prepare the turkey breast for cooking:
- Remove turkey breast from packaging and rinse under cold water. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Trim away any excess skin and fat. Make shallow cuts across the skin to help render the fat while cooking.
- Rub olive oil or avocado oil all over the turkey breast. This helps crisp the skin.
- Season generously with dry poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Rub the seasoning into the meat.
- Insert fresh herbs under the skin or coat the outside with compound butter for extra flavor.
Preheating the Ninja Foodi while you prepare the turkey helps save time once you are ready to cook.
Cooking settings
Here are the recommended cook settings for a juicy turkey breast:
| Turkey Breast Weight | Cook Temperature | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| 2 lbs | 375°F | 25-35 minutes |
| 3 lbs | 375°F | 35-45 minutes |
| 4 lbs | 375°F | 45-60 minutes |
| 5 lbs | 375°F | 60-75 minutes |
Cook times may vary slightly depending on the shape and thickness of the breast. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to determine doneness.
Step-by-step cooking instructions
Follow these steps for perfectly cooked turkey breast:
- Preheat Ninja Foodi XL Pro air oven to 375°F.
- Place turkey breast skin side up on cooking rack. Insert meat probe if using.
- Cook turkey breast at 375°F, adjusting time based on size per chart above.
- After 30 minutes, tent foil over breast to prevent overbrowning if needed.
- Check temperature after minimum cook time. Turkey is done at 165°F.
- Once cooked, remove turkey breast and let rest 10-15 minutes.
- Slice and serve turkey breast warm with desired sides.
Basting the turkey breast occasionally with pan juices will help keep it moist and flavorful. If the skin starts to get too brown, simply cover it loosely with foil.
Internal temperature for safety
Always cook turkey to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a food thermometer. This kills any bacteria present and prevents foodborne illness. Here are some key temperatures to know:
- 165°F – Safe minimum temperature for turkey
- 175°F – Temperature for optimal juiciness
- 185°F – Turkey breast meat starts to dry out
Let the turkey breast rest for 10-15 minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute through the meat. The temperature will continue rising 5-10°F during this time.
Troubleshooting tips
Use these troubleshooting tips if your turkey breast didn’t turn out quite right:
- If the turkey is dry – Brine it next time before cooking. Or inject broth or compound butter into the meat.
- If the skin is not crispy – Rub on a bit more oil before cooking. Or broil briefly after cooking.
- If the turkey is unevenly cooked – Allow more time for larger breasts over 5 lbs. Cook at a lower temp like 325°F.
- If the turkey is burnt – Use foil to cover it next time if browning too fast. Lower the temperature 25°F.
It may take a couple tries to learn your Ninja Foodi XL Pro and find the right cook times for turkey breasts. Adjust cook temperature and time as needed.
Make-ahead tips
For convenience, turkey breasts can be cooked ahead of time using these methods:
- Cook from frozen – Increase cook time about 50% if cooking frozen turkey breast.
- Bake-reheat – Cook turkey completely, let cool, then reheat gently covered in 350°F oven.
- Slice and freeze – Cook turkey, slice, freeze slices, and reheat slices as needed.
- Shred for later – Shred cooked turkey and freeze for dishes like casseroles, soups, sandwiches.
Pre-cooked turkey breast stays fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days. It can be frozen for 2-3 months.
Serving suggestions
Serve your delicious Ninja Foodi turkey breast hot, room temp, or cold in creative ways:
- Hot with gravy, stuffing, and veggies for dinner
- Sliced on sandwiches with mayo, lettuce, and tomato
- Diced in salads, wraps, or flatbreads
- Chopped in soups, chilis, or casseroles
- Shredded for BBQ turkey, tacos, enchiladas
Get creative with leftovers! Turkey breast is versatile and can be adapted to many cuisines.
Conclusion
Cooking turkey breast in the Ninja Foodi XL Pro air oven results in reliably moist meat with crispy, golden skin. The combination of air frying and oven baking is ideal for turkey breasts. With the proper cook times and temperatures, you can enjoy restaurant-quality turkey breast easily at home. Prepare the turkey breast with herbs and oils, cook to the right temperature, and learn how to adapt the time for different sizes. In no time, you’ll become a pro at cooking turkey like a boss in your Ninja Foodi!