Cody Casey
Turkey thighs are a great option for those who crave dark meat and want a quick, tasty, and juicy meal. Air-frying is a convenient and healthy way to cook turkey thighs, resulting in a tender and juicy inside with a perfectly crispy skin. The average cooking time for two turkey thighs in an air fryer is between 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the thighs and the temperature of the air fryer.
Cooking Turkey Thighs in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 375°F-390°F (193°C) |
| Time | 20 minutes on one side, then 10-15 minutes on the other side |
| Resting Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Internal Temperature | 165°F-175°F |
| Seasoning | Creole spices, poultry seasoning, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried thyme, pepper |
| Oil | Olive oil |
| Other Tips | Pat the thighs dry before seasoning to get crispy skin |
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What You'll Learn
Air fryer temperature and time
The temperature and time for cooking turkey thighs in an air fryer depend on the size of the thighs and the desired level of doneness. Most sources recommend cooking at 375°F for 40-45 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. However, some sources suggest cooking at 380°F for 20 minutes, or 350°F for 30 minutes, depending on the size of the thighs.
It is important to ensure that the turkey thighs are cooked thoroughly to avoid foodborne illnesses. One way to check for doneness is to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F. If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can pierce the thickest part of the thigh with a fork and check the colour of the juices that leak out. If they are reddish or slightly pink, the turkey needs to be cooked longer. If the juices run clear, the turkey is likely done.
When reheating leftover turkey thighs, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 350°F and cook for about 10 minutes, flipping the thighs halfway through so that the top can re-crisp. The internal temperature of the thighs should reach between 170-175°F.
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Turkey thigh preparation
Now, it's time to season the turkey thighs. You can use a variety of seasonings, such as poultry seasoning, Creole seasoning, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried thyme, and pepper. Combine the seasonings in a small bowl and then rub them onto the turkey thighs, making sure to get under the skin as well. You can also loosen the skin with a spoon and spread butter underneath before seasoning to make the skin extra crispy and flavorful. After seasoning, let the turkey thighs sit for about 30 minutes to absorb the flavors. If you're short on time, you can skip this step and cook immediately.
Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 375°F and 390°F. Place the turkey thighs in the air fryer basket, skin-side up or down, depending on your preferred method. For skin-side-up, air fry for 40-45 minutes or until the skin is crispy and golden, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh. If you prefer to start with the skin side down, cook for 20 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Cooking time may vary depending on the size of your turkey thighs and the specific model of your air fryer, so it's always a good idea to use a meat thermometer to ensure your turkey thighs are thoroughly cooked. The internal temperature should reach 165°F to 175°F. Once done, remove the turkey thighs from the air fryer and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to retain moisture and keep the meat juicy.
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Cooking and flipping
To start, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (or 380°F if you're only cooking an even number of thighs) for 5 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, pat the turkey thighs dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step will help ensure that you get crispy skin. You can also season the turkey thighs beforehand, about 1-2 days in advance, and refrigerate them until you're ready to cook.
Once the air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook the turkey thighs. Place them in the air fryer basket, skin-side down, and cook for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, flip the turkey thighs and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. The turkey thighs are ready to flip when the skin is crisp and golden brown.
When the turkey thighs are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This resting period helps keep the juices in the meat and ensures that the thighs stay juicy.
It's important to ensure that your turkey thighs are thoroughly cooked. The best way to do this is to use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh has reached 165°F. If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can pierce the thickest part of the thigh with a fork and observe the colour of the juices that leak out. If they are reddish or slightly pink, the turkey needs to be cooked a little longer. If the juices run clear, the turkey thighs are done.
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Resting and serving
Resting the turkey thighs after air frying is an important step to ensure the meat stays juicy. Most sources recommend allowing the turkey thighs to rest for 5 minutes before serving. However, some suggest resting for up to 10 minutes to keep all the juices in the meat.
While the turkey thighs are resting, you can prepare any side dishes to serve with them. Some suggested sides include cheesy scalloped potatoes, smothered green beans, cornbread muffins, and sweet potato bundt cake.
If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. To reheat, simply place the leftover turkey thighs back into the air fryer at 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through to recrisp the skin. You can also reheat in a preheated oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-35 minutes. Before reheating, wipe the skin with a paper towel to help it get crispy again.
When serving, it is important to ensure that the turkey thighs have reached the recommended internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. A meat thermometer is the most accurate way to check this. If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can pierce the thickest part of the thigh with a fork and check the colour of the juices that leak out. If they are clear, the turkey is likely done, but if they are reddish or slightly pink, it needs to be cooked further.
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Reheating and storing
Once you've cooked your turkey thighs in the air fryer, you'll want to let them rest for about 5 minutes before serving. But what about leftovers, or if you need to cook in advance?
Storing
If you have leftovers, you can preserve them in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Place the turkey thighs in an airtight container or a bowl tightly covered with foil and store them in the fridge once they have cooled down.
You can also freeze cooked turkey thighs to make them last even longer. It is recommended to use an airtight container or a Ziplock bag for this purpose. Frozen turkey thighs can be stored for up to 3 months.
Reheating
When you're ready to enjoy your turkey thighs again, simply preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (176-204°C) and place the thighs inside. Reheat for about 5-10 minutes, flipping the thighs halfway through so that the top can re-crisp. The internal temperature of the thighs should reach 170-175°F (76-79°C).
To ensure the best results when reheating, it is recommended to first wipe the turkey skin with a paper towel. Additionally, you can season the turkey thighs 1-2 days in advance and keep them refrigerated until you are ready to reheat and serve them.
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Frequently asked questions
The cooking time depends on the size of the turkey thighs and the temperature of the air fryer. On average, it takes 40-45 minutes to cook at 375°F. However, some recipes suggest cooking at 380°F for 20 minutes, flipping the thighs, and then cooking for an additional 10-15 minutes.
You can use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh has reached 165°F. If you don't have a thermometer, pierce the thickest part of the thigh with a fork and check the colour of the juices—if they are reddish or pink, the turkey needs to be cooked a little longer.
Place the leftover turkey thighs in the air fryer and heat at 350°F for about 5 minutes, or 10 minutes if you want to flip them halfway through. Wipe the skin with a paper towel before reheating to help the skin get crispy again.
