This air fryer boneless cajun turkey breast recipe is the solution to small-scale holiday dinners! Forget having to roast a whole turkey when a simple turkey breast takes a fraction of the time to cook, that too, in the air fryer! With a flavorful, savory spice rub this turkey breast is moist, juicy, and far from your average roast turkey.
If you are looking to roast a whole turkey, try out this butter basted turkey. Both of these turkey recipes go great with classic mashed potatoes, loaded mashed potatoes or even garlic parmesan smashed potatoes all paired with homemade cranberry apple sauce.
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👩🏽🍳Why This Recipe Works
No oven required: Boneless turkey breasts are much smaller in size, making them easy to fit in the air fryer. This air fryer turkey breast recipe is great for Thanksgiving dinner or even Christmas dinner, allowing you to use your precious oven space for all of your delicious sides (or even a holiday ham).
Full of flavor: It is no secret that Cajun-inspired recipes are packed with flavor with simple ingredients, like these Cajun Kabobs. This turkey breast is no different! Every inch of this turkey roast is rubbed with a quick and easy spice rub that will convert anyone into a turkey lover.
A small group solution: If you are cooking for a smaller crowd - even for 1 or 2 - a turkey breast roast is much more realistic than roasting a whole bird and having turkey leftovers for a month. You get the best of all worlds with this sized-down solution. If you end up with leftovers, these leftover turkey enchiladas are a great way to use them up.
🥘Ingredient Notes
- Boneless skin-on turkey breast: Boneless turkey breasts are usually easily found in your grocery store all year around. The are usually fresh, and not frozen, which cuts down on defrosting time as well. You can use a bone-in turkey breast if you'd like, but this boneless whole turkey breast stays equally as juicy and cooks quicker.
- Olive oil: Olive oil is the key binder to the spice rub. It also helps to get that crispy skin of the turkey breast while roasting. The olive oil works similarly as butter would in other turkey recipes.
- Brown sugar: Light or brown sugar work in this spice rub recipe. Either variety will still give the spice rub a caramelized flavor and color.
- Cajun seasoning: I suggest using your favorite pre-made seasoning to amp up the flavor in the rub. I use Tony's seasoning as it is my preference, but if you have a specific preference, feel free to use it.
A full list of ingredients with measurements is located on the recipe card, below.
📖Substitutions
- Brown sugar: You can use honey or maple syrup in place of brown sugar.
- Fresh thyme: Dried thyme will also work instead of fresh. You may want to use less dried thyme than you would use fresh, as the flavor is a little more potent.
- Smoked paprika: You can substitute with regular paprika, or even hot Hungarian paprika for an added kick.
- Garlic powder: Fresh garlic is a good substitute for garlic powder.
- Dijon mustard: Grainy mustard or honey mustard are good options if you do not have dijon mustard on hand.
- Olive oil: Melted unsalted butter can be used in place of olive oil. You can also use avocado oil if you prefer.
🔪Variations
- Spicy: For an added kick, add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the spice rub.
- Different protein: If you prefer, use this spice rub on a pork loin roast.
- Whole turkey: If you like the flavors of this spice rub but are feeding a larger crowd, you can use a whole turkey instead.
- Herbs: Add additional fresh herbs to the spice rub, like fresh rosemary or sage, for more flavor.
⏲️ Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Work Before Cooking
Collecting all your ingredients: This will make cooking so much easier. Gather all the spices you will need, and keep them nearby.
Pat the turkey dry: Using paper towels, dry the turkey breast to get rid of any extra moisture.
Add the ingredients for the spice rub into a small mixing bowl. Mix together so that all the ingredients are well incorporated into a paste-like consistency. [photo 1]
Season the entire turkey breast liberally with salt and black pepper, on both sides. [photo 2]
Using a rubber spatula or your hands, massage three-quarters of the spice rub paste onto both sides of the turkey breast. Ensure that the entire breast is covered. [photo 3]
Transfer the seasoned turkey breast to an air fryer basket, turkey breast skin side up. Air fry the turkey breast for approximately 1 hour at 375°F. While the turkey is cooking, occasionally spread the remaining quarter of the spice rub onto the skin of the roast. [photo 4]
Keep the turkey uncovered for the first 15 minutes of cooking, and then cover loosely with aluminum foil for the the next 40 minutes. For the last 5 or so minutes of cooking, remove the foil to crisp the skin until golden brown.
Cook the turkey until it reaches 165°F on a reliable instant read thermometer. Allow the turkey to rest covered in foil on a cutting board, for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing with a sharp knife.
💭 Expert Tips
Monitor Cooking Time: Keep a close eye on the turkey breast in the air fryer. Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the breast and the specific type of air fryer model you are using.
Let it sit at room temperature: Allow the turkey breast to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking. This allows for more even cooking, which helps prevent drying out the roast and results in moist, juicy meat.
Adapt to your air fryer: If you are going to make this air fryer recipe, I recommend that you buy a turkey breast that best suits the size of your air fryer. Overcrowding the air fryer basket isn't a great option for crisp turkey skin.
🍽 Make Ahead & Storage
Leftover turkey breast keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days, in an airtight container.
You also freeze the turkey, ensuring it is wrapped and stored well in freezer-safe containers or freezer bags.
To reheat, add a splash of chicken or turkey broth to re-add some extra moisture to the turkey.
⭐ Recipe FAQs
It's recommended to use a thawed turkey breast when cooking for more even and safe results. Thaw it in the refrigerator before air frying. The spice rub will also stick and penetrate the turkey meat better when using a thawed cut.
Avoid overcooking the turkey by monitoring the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Basting during cooking will also help keep the turkey moist.
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Air Fryer Boneless Cajun Turkey Breast
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 lb Turkey breast - boneless
- 3 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup Brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Fresh thyme - finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Smoked paprika
- 1 ½ tablespoon Cajun seasoning - Tony's
- ¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Sea salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
- Add the ingredients for the spice rub into a bowl. Mix together so that all the ingredients are well incorporated into a paste-like consistency.3 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ¼ cup Brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Fresh thyme, 1 tablespoon Garlic powder, 1 tablespoon Onion powder, 1 tablespoon Smoked paprika, 1 ½ tablespoon Cajun seasoning, ¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- Season the entire turkey breast liberally with salt and black pepper, on both sides.1 teaspoon Sea salt, 1 teaspoon Black pepper, 3 lb Turkey breast
- Using a rubber spatula or your hands, massage three-quarters of the spice rub paste onto both sides of the turkey breast. Ensure that the entire breast is covered.
- Transfer the seasoned turkey breast to an air fryer basket, turkey breast skin side up. Air fry the turkey breast for approximately 1 hour at 375°F. While the turkey is cooking, occasionally spread the remaining quarter of the spice rub onto the skin of the roast.
- Keep the turkey uncovered for the first 15 minutes of cooking, and then cover loosely with aluminum foil for the the next 40 minutes. For the last 5 or so minutes of cooking, remove the foil to crisp the skin.
- Cook the turkey until it reaches 165°F on a reliable instant read thermometer. Allow the turkey to rest covered in foil on a cutting board, for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing with a sharp knife.
Video
✱Recipe Notes
- Monitor Cooking Time: Keep a close eye on the turkey breast in the air fryer. Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the breast and the specific air fryer model you are using.
- Let it sit at room temperature: Allow the turkey breast to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before cooking. This allows for more even cooking, which helps prevent drying out the roast.
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