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Crispy Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe Easy Herb Butter Thanksgiving Guide

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This crispy air fryer turkey breast with herb butter is a quick and easy Thanksgiving recipe that delivers juicy meat and perfectly crisp skin using simple ingredients and an air fryer.

Ingredients

  • Turkey Breast (skin-on, bone-in, about 3-4 pounds / 1.4-1.8 kg)
  • Unsalted Butter (4 tablespoons / 60 grams, softened)
  • Fresh Rosemary (1 tablespoon, chopped)
  • Fresh Thyme (1 tablespoon, chopped)
  • Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
  • Lemon Zest (from 1 lemon)
  • Salt (1 teaspoon, preferably kosher)
  • Black Pepper (½ teaspoon, freshly ground)
  • Olive Oil (1 tablespoon)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Herb Butter (10 minutes): In a mixing bowl, combine softened unsalted butter, chopped rosemary, thyme, minced garlic, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. The butter should be soft but not melted.
  2. Prepare the Turkey Breast (5 minutes): Pat the turkey breast dry with paper towels. Gently loosen the skin over the breast by sliding your fingers between the skin and meat, careful not to tear it.
  3. Apply the Herb Butter (5 minutes): Using a butter knife or spoon, spread the herb butter generously under the skin, covering as much surface as possible. Then, rub a thin layer of olive oil over the skin and sprinkle a little extra salt for crispiness.
  4. Preheat the Air Fryer (5 minutes): Set the air fryer to 360°F (182°C) and preheat for about 5 minutes.
  5. Cook the Turkey Breast (40-45 minutes): Place the turkey breast skin side down in the air fryer basket. Cook for 20 minutes. Then, flip to skin side up and continue cooking for another 20-25 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  6. Rest the Turkey (10 minutes): Remove the turkey breast from the air fryer and cover loosely with foil. Let it rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
  7. Slice and Serve: Slice against the grain for tender, juicy pieces. Serve immediately.

Notes

Pat the skin dry before applying oil and herb butter for best crispiness. Use room temperature butter for easier spreading. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Flip the turkey halfway through cooking to seal in juices and crisp skin. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let the turkey rest before slicing to keep it juicy. If the turkey breast is larger than 4 pounds, increase cooking time by 5-10 minutes and monitor closely. Tent with foil if skin browns too fast.

Nutrition

Keywords: turkey breast, air fryer turkey, Thanksgiving turkey, herb butter turkey, crispy turkey breast, easy turkey recipe, holiday turkey, air fryer recipe

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