Air-Fryer Turkey Breast with Brown Sugar and Poultry Seasoning Recipe
This Air-Fryer Turkey Breast recipe features a flavorful dry rub of brown sugar, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and coarse salt, delivering a perfectly cooked, juicy, and tender turkey breast with a beautifully caramelized skin. The method involves air frying, which crisps the skin and retains moisture inside, offering a quicker and healthier alternative to traditional roasting. Ideal for a convenient and impressive main dish any time of year.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 to 45 minutes
- Total Time: 9 hours (including 8 hour overnight marinating)
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Rub Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 4 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1/2 tablespoon coarse kosher salt or 3/4 teaspoon fine salt
Main Ingredient
- 1 bone-in, skin-on turkey breast (about 4 pounds), split in half
Other
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Dry Rub: Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. In a medium bowl, combine dark brown sugar, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt. Stir thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
- Season the Turkey: On the baking sheet, pat the turkey breast halves very dry using paper towels. Remove the pop-up thermometer if present. Generously rub the dry spice mixture all over each half, coating fully. Place uncovered in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours or overnight to let flavors meld and enhance the turkey.
- Bring to Room Temperature: About one hour before cooking, take the turkey out of the refrigerator to allow it to come to room temperature. This step ensures even cooking throughout.
- Preheat and Air Fry: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Brush each turkey breast half evenly with 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Arrange the halves in the air fryer basket; if both fit snugly, a slight overlap is acceptable as the meat will shrink during cooking. Cook the turkey for 40 to 45 minutes, flipping halfway through. Use an instant-read thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part. The skin will develop a deep, caramelized, burnished color due to the sugar in the rub.
- Rest and Serve: Transfer the cooked turkey to a cutting board or serving platter. Let it rest for 20 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute, resulting in a moist, tender bite.
Notes
- Make sure to pat the turkey dry before applying the rub to help the seasoning adhere better and promote crispier skin.
- If your air fryer basket is small, cook the turkey halves one at a time for the best results.
- Allowing the turkey to rest is crucial for juicy meat—don’t skip this step.
- You can prepare the turkey with the spice rub a day in advance to deepen the flavors.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to avoid overcooking and ensure food safety.
Keywords: air fryer turkey breast, air-fried turkey, easy turkey recipe, holiday turkey, poultry seasoning turkey, crispy turkey breast
