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30 Minute Meals

Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin: The BEST

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Air Fryer Turkey Tenderloin is an easy dinner the whole family will love. You only need 6 ingredients and 20 minutes to make this moist turkey tenderloin in the air fryer. Pair it with a savory herb butter for a simple, healthy weeknight meal.

air fryer turkey tenderloin on white plates with salad and cramberry sauce.
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What's not to love about a healthy dinner that can be made in under 30 minutes? The air fryer keeps the lean turkey tenderloins extremely moist and juicy, plus the compound herb butter adds another level of incredible flavor.

This simple, healthy dinner is perfect for those busy weeknights. It cooks in only 20 minutes and needs 6 simple ingredients, making it a great recipe for those days you're rushing around and don't want to cook.

Pair this lean protein with roasted sweet potatoes, crispy air fryer broccoli, and that compound herb butter for an incredible and healthy dinner that the whole family will love.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS AIR FRYER TURKEY TENDERLOIN

  • The turkey turns out SO juicy and moist in the air fryer
  • It's ready in just 20 minutes
  • You only need 6 main ingredients
  • Makes a quick and delicious dinner the whole family will love
  • Leftovers can be used to make healthy salads, wraps, or sandwiches for lunch the next day

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE AIR FRYER TURKEY TENDERLOIN

ingredient for air fryer turkey tenderloin on white backdrop with black text.
  • Turkey Tenderloins: I used Perdue 24 ounce breasts. Each one was 12 ounces
  • Salt: I prefer to use Kosher salt or Himalayan pink salt
  • Pepper
  • Garlic Powder
  • Paprika: Smoked paprika gives the best flavor, but any kind will work
  • Butter: Use salted butter for the best results
  • Italian Seasonings: I used McCormick Dried Italian Seasonings blend
  • Lemon Zest: This adds a nice zing to counteract the richness of the butter

Substitutions:

  • Chicken breasts or turkey breasts can be substituted for the tenderloins
  • Change the seasoning of the turkey and use Elote seasoning, a Cajun blend, or Lemon Pepper

HOW TO MAKE TURKEY TENDERLOIN IN THE AIR FRYER

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F and spray it with non stick cooking spray
  2. In a small dish, combine salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder
  3. Spray one side of your turkey tenderloin with avocado oil cooking spray and season with the spice mix, repeat with the other breast, then flip them both over and season the other side
  4. Take your preheated air fryer basket out and place both seasoned tenderloins into the basket
  5. Cook at 350 F for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through
  6. When the cooking time is up, use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. If it reads 160 degrees F, take the tenderloins out and set on a plate. If the temperature is below 160 F, cook them for 2-4 more minutes until it reads 160 F
  7. Let the air fryer tenderloins rest for 10 minutes to allow the residual heat to finish cooking them and bring the internal temperature up to 165 F
  8. Slice the turkey, serve, and enjoy
salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder mixed together on white dish.
Mix together spices for the turkey
raw turkey breasts seasoned with spice blend.
Spray turkey tenderloins with avocado oil and rub both sides with the seasoning blend
seasoned turkey tenderloins in air fryer basket.
Cook at 350 F for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through
turkey breasts cooked in air fryer on white plate.
Once a thermometer reads 160 F, take the turkey out of the air fryer and let it rest 10 minutes before slicing

HOW TO MAKE LEMON HERB BUTTER

butter mixed with herbs in glass bowl.
Mix together butter, herbs, and lemon zest
compound herb butter rolled into a log.
Roll into a log in plastic wrap and chill for 10-15 minutes
  1. In a small bowl combine butter, Italian seasoning, and lemon zest
  2. Take a piece of plastic wrap, lay it flat, use a spatula to scrape herb butter onto the plastic wrap, then roll it into a log
  3. Chill the rolled herb butter for 10-15 minutes, or while the turkey is cooking in the air fryer

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

This healthy air fryer turkey makes a delicious protein for the weeknights. Pair it with one of these options for a balanced dinner.

This lean protein is also great for small holiday gatherings. If serving it for a dinner party, pair with one of these healthier, traditional holiday side dishes:

healthy turkey breast cooked with herb butter melting over top of it on white plate with cranberry sauce.

EXPERT TIPS

  • Buy unseasoned turkey breast tenderloins so you can control the flavor
  • Spray the outside of the turkey with avocado oil to help the seasoning stick, and to help crisp up the exterior
  • Pre-heat your air fryer before you use it to cook the turkey
  • Take the turkey tenderloins out when the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F and let them rest. This ensures that the turkey is extremely moist and juicy
  • Use leftovers to make healthy salads, wraps, and sandwiches

STORING

You can store any leftover in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Eat it cold on salads and wraps, or heat it up and enjoy round two of this cozy meal.

HOW TO REHEAT TURKEY TENDERLOIN IN THE AIR FRYER

To reheat, lay slices of turkey in your air fryer basket and cook at 320 degrees F for 5-6 minutes until warmed through.

Additionally, you can reheat it in the microwave on a plate by cooking it for 30 seconds at a time.

turkey tenderloin cooked on white plate with salad, butter, and cranberries.

FAQs

What's the difference between turkey tenderloins and turkey breasts?

Turkey tenderloins are a specific cut of the breast that tend to be both boneless and skinless. Turkey breasts, on the other hand, are usually bone-in as well as skin-on, and tend to be a bit bigger.

What temperature do turkey tenderloins need to be cooked to?

They should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. I like to pull mine at 160 F because as they rest the residual heat finishes cooking them to a safe temperature without overcooking and drying the turkey out.

Can I overlap them in the air fryer?

No, they tenderloins are best cooked in a single layer. You will want to cook them in 2 batches if your air fryer isn't big enough for them to lay flat.

How do I cook a frozen turkey tenderloin in the air fryer?

You can cook a frozen turkey tenderloin in the air fryer by following the instructions listed in the recipe card, but cooking them for 35-45 minutes depending on the thickness

herb butter melting over top of slices of turkey cooked in the air fryer on white plate.

Did you make this air fryer turkey tenderloin recipe? If so, I would greatly appreciate you leaving a comment and star rating down below. Additionally, follow me on Instagram and tag me if you make this or any other of my easy air fryer dinners.

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Perfect, Juicy Air-fryer Turkey Tenderloin

turkey tenderloin cooked on white plate with salad, butter, and cranberries.
Print Recipe

Air fryer turkey tenderloin is the best weeknight dinner. It's ready in less than 30 minutes and needs just 6 ingredients. Pair with roasted broccoli and sweet potatoes to an easy, healthy meal.

  • Author: Nicole Radcliffe
  • Prep Time: 5 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 18-20 Minutes
  • Total Time: 23 Minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Air fryer
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Units Scale
  1. 2-12 ounce Turkey Breast Tenderloins
  2. ¾ Teaspoons Kosher Salt
  3. ½ Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
  4. ½ Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
  5. ½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
  6. 3 Tablespoons Softened Butter (use salted)
  7. 2 Teaspoons Italian Seasonings
  8. ¼ Teaspoons Lemon Zest

Instructions

TO COOK THE TURKEY

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F and spray it with non stick cooking spray
  2. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder
  3. Spray one side of your turkey tenderloins with avocado oil cooking spray and season with the spice mix, then flip them both over and season the other side
  4. Take your preheated air fryer basket out and place both seasoned tenderloins into the basket
  5. Cook at 350 F for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through
  6. When the cooking time is up, use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. If it reads 160 degrees F, take the tenderloins out and set on a plate. If the temperature is below 160 F, cook them for 2-4 more minutes until it reads 160 F
  7. Let the air fryer tenderloins rest for 10 minutes to allow the residual heat to finish cooking them and bring the internal temperature up to 165 F
  8. Slice the turkey, serve, and enjoy

TO MAKE THE COMPOUND BUTTER

  1. In a small bowl combine softened butter, Italian seasonings, and lemon zest. Mix until well combined
  2. Tear off a piece of plastic wrap and lay it on a flat surface. Use a spatula to scrape the herb butter out of the bowl and place it into the middle of the plastic
  3. Roll the butter into a log and place into the fridge to chill to 10-15 minutes to firm up

Notes

  • Buy unseasoned turkey breast tenderloins so you can control the flavor
  • Spray the outside of the turkey with avocado oil to help the seasoning stick, and to help crisp up the exterior
  • Pre-heat your air fryer before you use it to cook the turkey
  • Take the turkey tenderloins out when the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F and let them rest. This ensures that the turkey is extremely moist and juicy
  • Use leftovers to make healthy salads, wraps, and sandwiches
  • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Serving
  • Calories: 240

Keywords: air fryer turkey breast, turkey tenderloin in air fryer, how to cook turkey breast in air fryer

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