There’s just something about turkey legs that brings out your inner kid—maybe it’s the memories of grabbing a giant turkey leg at the state fair, or maybe it’s the simple joy of a meal that comes with its own handle! With this air fryer turkey legs recipe, you don’t have to wait for fair season to enjoy that crispy skin and juicy meat.
The air fryer makes it easy to get perfectly cooked turkey legs right at home, and in way less time than you’d expect. This recipe is all about big flavor with minimal effort, so let’s get cooking!
Why This Recipe Is Fantastic
- Crispy skin without deep frying!
- Juicy, flavorful turkey meat in less than 30 minutes.
- Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or special occasions.
- A fun meal that everyone can enjoy (no utensils needed!).
Jump to:
- Why This Recipe Is Fantastic
- Ingredients
- Optional Turkey Leg Brine Recipe
- How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Legs
- Cooking Time & Temperature Guide
- Expert Tips
- FAQ
- Serving Suggestions
- Variations
- Storage and Reheating
- Substitutions
- Nutritional Information
- Pairings and Related Recipes
- Kitchen Essentials and Equipment Used
- Air Fryer Turkey Legs Recipe | Crispy Skin, Juicy Meat
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Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Turkey Legs (About 2 Pieces)
- 1 Tablespoon Avocado Oil
- 1 tsp. Salt
- 1/4 tsp. Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Dried Thyme
- 1/4 tsp. Dried Rosemary
- 1/2 tsp. Smoked Paprika
Optional Turkey Leg Brine Recipe
This step is not necessary but does make the turkey legs (and chicken) even juicier. Here’s my go-to brine recipe if you want to take this extra step before cooking.
Brine Recipe:
- 1/4 Cup Salt
- 1 Quart Water
- 2 Tablespoons Sugar (Optional)
To brine: Mix the salt, water, and sugar (if using) until dissolved. Submerge the turkey legs in the brine and refrigerate for 4-6 hours. Remove from the brine, pat dry, and proceed with the recipe as directed.
How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Legs
Step 1: Coat the turkey legs liberally with avocado oil.
Step 2: In a small bowl, mix together salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and smoked paprika to create the spice rub.
Step 3: Season the turkey legs generously with the spice rub, ensuring they’re fully covered.
Step 4: Place the seasoned turkey legs in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t overlap.
Step 5: Set the air fryer to 380°F and cook for 20 minutes.
Step 6: Flip the turkey legs and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Cooking Time & Temperature Guide
Cooking time can vary based on the size of your turkey legs and whether you’re starting with smoked or fresh legs:
- For smaller turkey legs: Reduce cooking time by 5-8 minutes.
- For larger turkey legs: Add 5-10 minutes.
- For smoked turkey legs: Reduce total cook time by 10 minutes, as these are usually pre-cooked.
Expert Tips
- Use a meat thermometer: Ensure your turkey legs are cooked to perfection by checking that the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Crispier skin: Pat your turkey legs dry with a paper towel before seasoning. This helps the skin get extra crispy.
- Space them out: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Air circulation is key to achieving that golden crispiness.
FAQ
It takes about 28-30 minutes at 380°F to cook turkey legs in an air fryer, depending on their size. Be sure to flip them halfway through for even cooking.
Yes! Smoked turkey legs can be cooked in an air fryer. Since they’re usually pre-cooked, reduce the cooking time by about 10 minutes.
To reheat turkey legs, set your air fryer to 350°F and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until the turkey legs are heated through and crispy again.
Yes, you can cook frozen turkey legs in an air fryer, but you’ll need to increase the cooking time by 10-15 minutes. Always ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
This recipe uses a mix of smoked paprika, garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper for a delicious flavor, but feel free to try Cajun seasoning, BBQ rubs, or lemon pepper for a fun twist.
Serving Suggestions
These air fryer turkey legs are a versatile main dish that pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas on how to serve them:
- Serve with dipping sauces: Try BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or a spicy aioli to complement the flavors.
- Pair with a fresh salad: A simple green salad or coleslaw adds a fresh crunch to balance the richness of the turkey legs.
- Make it a meal: Serve with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables for a hearty, balanced dinner.
- Go low-carb: Pair the turkey legs with cauliflower rice or sautéed spinach for a lighter option.
Variations
- Smoked Turkey Legs: If you’re working with smoked turkey legs, simply reduce the cooking time by about 10 minutes.
- Different Seasonings: Experiment with other flavor combinations like Cajun seasoning for a bit of spice or lemon pepper for a zesty twist.
- Baked Turkey Legs: If you don’t have an air fryer, bake these turkey legs in the oven at 375°F for about 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Storage and Reheating
- Storage: Keep any leftover turkey legs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat your turkey legs in the air fryer at 350°F for 6-8 minutes. This will keep them crispy and delicious.
Substitutions
- Chicken Drumsticks: Not feeling turkey? This recipe works great with chicken drumsticks too!
- Other Oils: If you don’t have avocado oil, olive oil or vegetable oil works just fine.
Nutritional Information
Per Serving (based on one turkey leg):
- Calories: 390
- Protein: 48g
- Fat: 21g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
Pairings and Related Recipes
If you loved this air fryer turkey legs recipe, be sure to check out these other air fryer favorites:
Kitchen Essentials and Equipment Used
I always list the equipment I use for every recipe. I also include other kitchen essentials. I do earn a small commission on the sale of the items but this is at absolutely no cost to you.
All of these items are used by me and items I like. Thanks for all of your support.
COSORI Air Fryer 6.8 Qt, Large Oven with Dual Blaze Tech
Ninja Foodi 10 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone XL 2-Basket Air Fryer
200pcs Air Fryer Parchment Paper, Air Fryer Liners 8.5inch
AmazonFresh Avocado Oil, 33.8 fl oz.
Simply Organic, Paprika Ground Certified Organic
Air Fryer Turkey Legs Recipe | Crispy Skin, Juicy Meat
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Turkey Legs About 2 Pieces
- 1 Tablespoon Avocado Oil
- 1 tsp. Salt
- 1/4 tsp. Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Dried Thyme
- 1/4 tsp. Dried Rosemary
- 1/2 tsp. Smoked Paprika
Instructions
- Coat the turkey legs with the avocado oil liberally.
- Mix together the rest of the dry ingredients to make a rub.
- Season turkey legs liberally with spice rub.
- Play turkey legs in the air fryer basket.
- Cook Turkey Legs at 380 Degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
- Flip Turkey Legs and cook additional 8-10 minutes until desired doneness
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