Air fryer turkey tenderloin is the perfect way to enjoy homemade turkey in about 30 minutes. No need to fuss with the oven or a large whole turkey. Turkey breast tenderloins are lean, boneless, skinless and super easy to cook.
You’ll absolutely love the simplicity of this recipe. If you love a good turkey dinner, then this recipe is for you!
Jump to:
What is turkey tenderloin?
Turkey breast tenderloins are very lean white meat from under the turkey breast. They are generally ½lb to 1lb in size, are rather narrow in shape and considered very tender. They are excellent for many styles of cooking and are ideal for a healthy air fryer meal.
Where to get turkey tenderloin?
Turkey tenderloins are found in the fresh meat section of most supermarkets. Most are packaged very similar to pork tenderloin – in long, narrow vacuum sealed packages of two. Most are already brined, which means they contain a solution of salt to help maintain freshness, and aid in flavor, texture and tenderness.
Ingredients
We’re going to season our turkey breast tenderloins with a simple combination of ingredients very common for roasted turkey recipes. These ingredients give us a classic, very savory flavor we know and love.
- Garlic powder
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Paprika
- Sage
- Salt and pepper
Simple Preparation
Remove the tenderloins from the package and give them a quick rinse. We’re nor rinsing away any of the flavor, simple getting them better prepared for the air fryer process. After the quick rinse, dry them with paper towels as best you can. Add a teaspoon of olive oil to each tenderloin and rub in all the seasoning mix. You will have just enough to get all the sides of both tenderloins coated.
Ready in about 30 minutes
With our turkey tenderloins seasoned, it’s time to place them into a preheated air fryer and cook on the “air fry” setting at 400°(F) for 20-25 minutes, turning once while cooking. The internal temperature should reach 165°(F).
Let rest before slicing
Once the turkey tenderloins are done, carefully remove to a plate and let rest for 3-4 minutes. This gives the natural flavors and juices a chance to redistribute. Then you’re ready to slice and enjoy!
Serving suggestions
As with most traditional turkey dinners, there’s any number of classic ways to serve this wonderful dish. When it comes to turkey, I LOVE cranberry sauce. I like to scoop it all up with one fork and enjoy it together. We have a great recipe for Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce. Mashed potatoes are another favorite side dish for turkey and our Instant Pot Parmesan Garlic Mashed Potatoes are out of this world! Of course, you can stay with the air fryer and try our Air Fryer Asparagus or Air Fryer Garlic Herb Potatoes. Both are excellent with turkey breast tenderloin.
Substitutions and changes
One of the things that makes a recipe such as this so versatile and good, is that it can be seasoned any number of ways. The recipe, as written, will give you a very savory flavor profile. Missing one of the ingredients? That’s ok! There’s not really any true substitutions necessary. If you don’t have the sage or rosemary or thyme, you can leave any of them out. You can also use an Italian blend seasoning and achieve a wonderful flavor profile. Marjoram and tarragon are also wonderful herbs with a savory flavor and are excellent as well.
How to store leftovers and reheat
Store the leftovers in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can help to add a teaspoon or two of broth or water to the meat in the container to help maintain juiciness. To reheat, the microwave is always the most convenient way. One or two minutes usually does the trick. You don’t want to go too long and dry out the meat.
You can also reheat in the air fryer. Keep the temperature low at about 350° and reheat for 7-9 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
PrintRecipe
Best Damn Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
Description
Mouthwatering, savory and tender turkey breast tenderloins, expertly seasoned and cooked to perfection in your air fryer. Less than 30 minutes from fridge to table.
Ingredients
- 2 Turkey breast tenderloins, ¾lb each
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- ½ tsp Rosemary, dried
- ½ tsp Thyme, dried
- ½ tsp Kosher salt
- ¼ tsp Ground sage
- ¼ tsp Ground black pepper
- 2 tsp Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Rinse and pat turkey breast tenderloins dry, then coat with vegetable oil.
- Mix remaining ingredients and apply to meat. Season well on all sides.
- Preheat air dryer at 400° for 5 minutes.
- Place seasoned turkey tenderloins into air fryer basket (for basket style air fryers) or on air fryer tray (for tray style air fryers), and use air fry setting at 400° for 20-25min. Flip once during cooking.
- Turkey tenderloins are done when internal temperature reaches 165°(F) when checked with an instant read thermometer.
- Remove turkey from air fryer and let rest for a couple of minutes before slicing.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Turkey, Turkey Breast
Helen
This was so simple to make and absolutely delicious and moist. I will make again!
★★★★★
Vera Moore
I am trying this way tonight (minus the Rosemary) and I’m positive it will be very good! My first one I made on Easter day wrapped in bacon and cooked at 350F for 40 minutes, but ONLY because I didn’t want to burn the bacon or splatter grease. Was just a little past 165F, but juicy and tender no less! Sandwiches were awesome the next day!! I am using a 6.8 quart Dreo (basket style) 1500w.
★★★★
JK
I’ve made this recipe twice now and it was a success both times. Didn’t need to change anything. But, for hungrier guests, I make sure to increase the side dishes as this just barely feeds four. Thank you!
★★★★★
Chris
I tried the turkey breast recipe for the air fryer and it was PERFECT. Thank you.
RecipeTeacher
Awesome i’m so glad you liked it! Thanks Chris!
Catherine
I was thinking of making a turkey breast for Thanksgiving this year then I saw this recipe. I had never even heard of TURKEY tenderloins! Easily found in the store.
This came out PERFECT! The meat was so juicy and the seasonings were spot on for a simpler Thanksgiving dinner for three. Highly recommend this recipe. I will be adding it to our regular dinner rotation!
★★★★★
RecipeTeacher
Hey Catherine, i’m so glad you liked it! Turkey tenderloins don’t get the attention they deserve. Super easy to make.
Thanks again for the feedback and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Vicki Baker
I love turkey! And once I found this at my Walmart store I bbq’d it and since I don’t have an oven I need a stovetop recipe. I’m working with a butane burner. Find an easy recipe
★★★★★
Barb
Made it tonight. Very good, tasty & moist.
★★★★★
Diane E
I tried your recipe for dinner tonight. Everything came out delicious. The turkey breast tenderloins were so moist and flavorful. Had the leftovers for lunch the next day. I will definitely be making this one again.
★★★★★