Yes, you can absolutely roast a turkey breast in a Ninja Foodi! The Ninja Foodi is an extremely versatile multi-cooker that can be used as a pressure cooker, air fryer, and more. Roasting a turkey breast in the Ninja Foodi is a great option for quickly cooking up a delicious, juicy turkey breast without heating up the whole oven.
Benefits of Roasting a Turkey Breast in the Ninja Foodi
There are several benefits to using the Ninja Foodi to roast a turkey breast rather than roasting it in the oven:
- Faster cooking time – The Ninja Foodi can roast a turkey breast in under an hour, while oven roasting can take over 2 hours.
- Juicy and tender meat – The Ninja Foodi circulates hot air all around the turkey breast, resulting in evenly cooked, moist meat.
- Uses less energy – The Ninja Foodi only heats up the small interior cavity, rather than your whole oven.
- No heating up the house – Roasting in the Ninja Foodi doesn’t make your kitchen hot like oven roasting does.
- Easy cleanup – There’s minimal splatter inside the Ninja Foodi, so cleanup is quick and easy.
Choosing a Turkey Breast
When choosing a turkey breast to roast in your Ninja Foodi, opt for a bone-in breast between 3-5 pounds. Bone-in breasts have more flavor and will cook up juicier than boneless. Make sure the breast will fit lay flat in the Ninja Foodi cooking pot.
You can use a fresh or thawed frozen turkey breast. If using frozen, make sure it is completely thawed before cooking. For food safety, do not refreeze a thawed turkey breast.
Ninja Foodi Roasting Tips
Follow these tips for perfect Ninja Foodi turkey breast results:
- Pat the turkey breast dry before seasoning – This helps the seasonings stick and promotes browning.
- Use a roasting rack – Placing the turkey on a rack elevates it above the bottom of the pot so the hot air circulates completely around.
- Brush with oil or butter – Coating the turkey with a thin layer of oil or melted butter helps brown the skin.
- Season well – Rub the turkey all over with salt, pepper, herbs, and spices for maximum flavor.
- Don’t overcrowd – Make sure there is space around the turkey for air flow. Work in batches for larger birds.
- Use a meat thermometer – Roast until the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F for food safety.
- Let rest before carving – Allow the turkey to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing for juicier meat.
Step-by-Step Roasted Turkey Breast
Follow this simple step-by-step guide for foolproof Ninja Foodi turkey breast.
- Take a 3-5 pound bone-in, skin-on turkey breast and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
- Generously season all over with salt, pepper, fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary, and spices like garlic powder or paprika.
- Preheat the Ninja Foodi on the roast setting to 375°F.
- Place the turkey breast skin-side up on a roasting rack inserted into the cooking pot.
- Brush the skin with olive oil or melted butter.
- Roast for 45-60 minutes, until the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F on a meat thermometer.
- Carefully remove the turkey breast and let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
The turkey breast should come out beautifully browned on the outside and juicy on the inside. Make it a meal by using the Ninja Foodi or stove to cook up side dishes at the same time, like mashed potatoes, stuffing, and glazed carrots.
Ninja Foodi Turkey Breast Cooking Times
Cooking times can vary slightly based on the size, shape, and temperature of your turkey breast. Refer to this cooking time guide for reference:
| Turkey Breast Weight | Cook Time |
| 3 pounds | 45-55 minutes |
| 4 pounds | 55-65 minutes |
| 5 pounds | 60-75 minutes |
Use a meat thermometer to confirm the turkey has reached 165°F at the thickest part. If it’s not quite there yet, continue roasting for 5-10 more minutes until it reaches the safe internal temperature.
Ninja Foodi Turkey Breast Settings
These are the recommended Ninja Foodi settings for roasting a juicy turkey breast:
- Unit: Roast
- Temperature: 375°F
- Cook Time: See times above based on weight
The roast function uses super heated air to circulate around the turkey for even browning and cooking. The high 375°F temperature helps crisp up and brown the skin.
Making Turkey Gravy
One benefit of roasting in the Ninja Foodi is that you can use the juices left in the pot to make a delicious turkey gravy. Here’s how:
- After removing the turkey breast, pour the juices from the pot into a small bowl.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch to the juices and whisk until dissolved.
- Pour the juice mixture back into the hot cooking pot.
- Simmer for 5-10 minutes, whisking frequently until thickened.
- Season the gravy with salt, pepper, herbs, and more as desired.
For a richer gravy, you can add extra flavor by sautéing aromatics like onion and garlic in the pot first. Then proceed with the steps above.
Ninja Foodi Turkey Breast Recipes
Roasting a simple seasoned turkey breast in the Ninja Foodi is delicious on its own. But you can also get creative with different flavor combinations. Try one of these tasty recipe ideas:
- Herb Butter Turkey Breast – Spread a compound butter mixed with fresh herbs under the skin before roasting.
- Maple Glazed Turkey Breast – Brush maple syrup and mustard glaze over turkey in the last 15 minutes of cooking.
- Jamaican Jerk Turkey Breast – Season with a spicy blend of Jamaican jerk seasoning before roasting.
- Citrus Rosemary Turkey Breast – Rub orange, lemon, garlic, and rosemary over the turkey.
- Brown Sugar & Bacon Turkey Breast – Cover with brown sugar and lay bacon strips on top while roasting.
Get creative with rubs, herb blends, glazes, and more to flavor your Ninja Foodi turkey breast. The possibilities are endless for making this simple meal special.
Serving & Leftovers
One turkey breast can feed about 4-6 people, depending on the size. Carve into slices and serve with classic Thanksgiving sides like stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and more.
Refrigerate leftover turkey breast within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days. Enjoy leftovers on sandwiches, in salads, stirred into pasta, or even for breakfast. The possibilities are endless!
Conclusion
Roasting a juicy turkey breast in the Ninja Foodi is quick, convenient, and delicious. With shorter cook times, less energy use, and foolproof results, the Ninja Foodi is ideal for making this holiday centerpiece. Experiment with different flavors and serve for a special family meal. Leftovers can be used in many different ways. The Ninja Foodi takes the guesswork and hassle out of roasting up the perfect turkey breast.