Whether you’re looking to make turkey for 1-2 people this Thanksgiving, or want to enjoy turkey on a weeknight, then you’ll love these air fryer turkey breast cutlets! They’re the turkey version of a boneless chop, and come out juicy from your air fryer in around 10 minutes!
What Are Turkey Breast Cutlets?
Turkey breast cutlets are thin, boneless slices cut from the turkey breast that look much like a boneless pork chop (except they’re turkey)!
They’re a convenient option due to their quick cooking time, and naturally gluten free and low carb too! You can serve them for a quick weeknight meal, but I love turkey cutlets for Thanksgiving when it’s just the two of us.
Unlike a full turkey breast, cutlets are typically around ¼ to ½ inch thick, which is what allows them to cook so quickly. While you can grill, bake, or pan sear them, I prefer the air fryer! That’s because you’ll get juicy turkey quickly, and with little effort on your part.
You can season, marinate, or bread your turkey filets, and serve them on their own, or use the cooked turkey to make sandwiches like my Air Fryer Turkey Sliders or Air Fryer Hot Brown Sandwich.
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Ingredients List
- 1 pound turkey breast cutlets (approximately 3-4 cutlets)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can swap the olive oil for melted butter, or a different high smoke point oil like avocado or grapeseed
- All seasonings are adjustable to taste, including omission. Other good options include thyme, rosemary, poultry seasoning, sage, or Cajun seasoning
How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Breast Cutlets
- Trim your cutlets if needed, then rub them with the olive oil and the seasonings. I just toss them in a bowl to make this easier
- Place the seasoned turkey filets into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer
- Cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the turkey reaches 165°F in the center. Times can vary slightly between size of cutlets, so adjust as needed in small increments
- Serve hot with your favorite sides!
Breaded Turkey Cutlet Variation
- Use 2 large eggs (beaten) ½ cup seasoned breadcrumbs, and ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- Season the filets, then dredge in the egg before pressing into a mixture of the crumbs and cheese until well coated. Air fry at 400°F instead for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through (you can spritz the outside with a little oil to make them more brown and crispy)
Recipe FAQs
Should I Preheat the Air Fryer for Turkey Cutlets?
Preheating isn’t required since the cutlets will be flipped during cooking.
However, preheating can eliminate some of the inconsistencies between different air fryers by starting with a defined temperature level, so feel free to do so if you like!
How Can I Prevent the Cutlets From Sticking to the Air Fryer Basket?
The oil added to the cutlets should be enough to keep them from sticking in your air fryer.
However, you can always spray the basket with nonstick spray, or use parchment under the filets for easier cleanup.
Can I Stack the Cutlets in the Air Fryer?
No, cutlets should be arranged in a single layer without overlapping for even cooking.
Stacking can lead to undercooked areas and uneven browning.
Can I Use Chicken Cutlets Instead of Turkey?
Yes, chicken cutlets are a good substitute for turkey cutlets in most recipes. I find that chicken generally takes 1-2 minutes less, though it can still vary based on the size and thickness of the cutlets.
Ensure that chicken also reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to be safe for consumption.
What Side Dishes Pair Well With Air Fryer Turkey Cutlets?
Turkey cutlets pair well with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, salads, or casseroles.
They’re very versatile, so you can use different sides for different seasons and occasions!
Recipe Pro Tips For the Best Turkey Cutlets
- For best results, check the turkey filet with a thermometer in the thickest part of the meat. Remove them just when they reach 165°F – if you overcook them, they can dry out
- I did not preheat my Ninja air fryer and my turkey cutlets were perfect at 9 minutes cooking time (verified by thermometer) and super juicy! Times can vary between air fryers and by filet size, so adjust in small increments of time as needed
Turkey Breast Storage and Reheating
- Store leftover turkey breast cutlets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- To reheat turkey filets, air fry at 350°F for about 3 minutes, or until warmed through (the thickness of the meat will affect the time, so add time in 1-minute increments as needed)
Final Thoughts
These air fryer turkey breast cutlets come out so juicy and delicious, and they’re ready in 10 minutes or less – you can’t go wrong with that!
That’s easy enough for a weeknight meal, but these boneless turkey chops are also great for Thanksgiving if you’re feeding 1-2 people and don’t want a ton of leftovers! You can pair them with a variety of sides to suit the season.
If you do have leftovers, make sure to check out my Air Fryer Thanksgiving Egg Rolls for a great way to repurpose them!
A simple seasoning is all you need on the outside, which keeps them gluten free and low carb friendly, but you can get fancier and bread your filets for a crunchy twist!
Katie’s tip
For more great dishes to complete your meal this holiday, check out all of my delicious Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes for recipe inspiration!
Easy Air Fryer Turkey Breast Cutlets Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless turkey breast cutlets (approximately 3-4 filets)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Trim your cutlets if needed, then rub them with the olive oil and the seasonings. I just toss everything in a bowl with my hands to make this easier1 pound boneless turkey breast cutlets, 1 Tbsp olive oil, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder
- Place the seasoned turkey filets into your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer
- Cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the turkey reaches 165°F in the center. Times can vary slightly between size of cutlets, so adjust as needed in small increments as needed to prevent overcooking
- Serve hot with your favorite sides!
Notes
- You can swap the olive oil for melted butter, or a different high smoke point oil like avocado or grapeseed
- All seasonings are adjustable to taste, including omission. Other good options include thyme, rosemary, poultry seasoning, sage, or Cajun seasoning
- I did not preheat my Ninja air fryer and my turkey cutlets were perfect at 9 minutes cooking time (verified by thermometer) and super juicy! Times can vary between air fryers and by filet size, so adjust in small increments of time as needed
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, cutlet size, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
