Marianne Martinez
Turkey legs are a delicious and versatile meal that can be enjoyed at any time of the year. They are typically sold in packs of two or three at your local grocery store and can be cooked in an air fryer for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. The air fryer is a convenient way to cook turkey legs, with a cook time of around 20-40 minutes, depending on the size of the legs and the model of the air fryer. The end result is a mouth-watering dish with crispy skin and juicy meat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook time | 20-40 minutes, depending on the size of the turkey leg. Smaller turkey legs cook faster. |
| Temperature | 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204.4 degrees Celsius). |
| Internal temperature | 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73.8 degrees Celsius). |
| Reheating | Set the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176.6 degrees Celsius) and cook for 5-7 minutes. |
| Skin crispiness | Pat the turkey legs dry thoroughly before applying oil and seasoning. |
| Overcrowding | Ensure there is space around each turkey leg in the air fryer for even cooking. |
| High-wattage air fryer | Check the turkey legs halfway through the cooking time and adjust as needed. |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for turkey legs in an air fryer depend on the size of the turkey legs and the wattage of your air fryer. It is recommended to cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes, and then check the legs and adjust the timing as needed. The legs are cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you are cooking frozen turkey legs, you will need to increase the cooking time by 5 to 6 minutes or 10 to 15 minutes. If you are cooking lean turkey legs, you should reduce the cooking time by half.
If you are cooking multiple turkey legs, ensure there is space around each leg in the air fryer for even cooking. If your air fryer is small, cook the legs in batches.
If you notice the turkey legs are browning too quickly or starting to burn, reduce the temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Different air fryers can vary in heat intensity, so it is important to check on the turkey legs halfway through the cooking time and adjust as needed.
Once the turkey legs are cooked, remove them from the air fryer, cover them loosely with foil, and let them rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
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Choosing the right turkey legs
Fresh or Fully Thawed Turkey Legs
Opt for fresh or fully thawed turkey legs, as they will cook more evenly and yield a crispier texture in the air fryer. Frozen turkey legs can also be used, but they will require additional cooking time to ensure they reach the desired internal temperature.
Size of Turkey Legs
The size of the turkey legs matters. Larger drumsticks will take longer to cook, while smaller ones will cook faster. Most recipes suggest an approximate size of 10–12 ounces per leg for even cooking.
Lean Turkey Legs
If you choose lean turkey legs, adjust your cooking time accordingly. Leaner cuts will cook faster, so you may need to reduce the cooking time by half.
Number of Turkey Legs
Avoid overcrowding your air fryer to ensure even cooking. If you have a smaller air fryer, consider cooking the turkey legs in batches. Leave some space around each leg for optimal air circulation.
Brining
Brining is optional when preparing turkey legs for the air fryer. If you decide to brine, remember to pat the legs dry before placing them in the air fryer. Brining can add moisture and flavour to the meat.
Oil and Seasonings
The choice of oil and seasonings can enhance the flavour and crispness of your turkey legs. Olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, and seasoned salt are popular choices. Combine your seasonings and pat the turkey legs dry before applying the spice mixture for even coverage.
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Oil and seasonings
Before seasoning, pat the turkey legs dry thoroughly. This is an important step to ensure the skin crisps up nicely in the air fryer. If you are using frozen turkey legs, make sure they are fully thawed as these will cook more evenly and crisp better.
For the seasoning, you can use a combination of olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. You can also add brown sugar and seasoned salt to this mix. Alternatively, try a simple dry rub with garlic powder, garlic salt, seasoned pepper, brown sugar, and rosemary.
First, combine your seasonings in a small bowl. Then, rub your spice mixture all over the turkey legs, making sure to get under the skin as well. Next, spray or brush the turkey legs with oil. You can use an oil spray bottle for this, or brush with a mixture of melted butter and seasonings.
If you want to reduce the fat content, you can remove the skin, but this will mean missing out on the crispy texture.
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Brining
To brine turkey legs, create a saltwater solution by mixing water and kosher salt in a large bowl or container. The ratio is typically one tablespoon of salt for every two cups of water. You can also add other ingredients to the brine, such as sugar, lemon juice, onion, bay leaf, rosemary, and thyme, to enhance the flavour. Stir the mixture until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved.
Once the brine is ready, place the turkey legs in the solution, ensuring they are completely submerged. Cover the container with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight. If you are short on time, a minimum of two hours of brining can still make a difference in the tenderness and flavour of the meat.
After brining, remove the turkey legs from the brine and give them a light rinse with cold water. It is important to pat the turkey legs dry thoroughly with paper towels before proceeding to the next step of seasoning and cooking. This step ensures that the turkey legs will crisp up nicely in the air fryer.
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Avoiding overcrowding
When cooking turkey legs in an air fryer, it is important to avoid overcrowding the basket. This is because overcrowding can result in unevenly cooked food and prolong the cooking time.
Firstly, check that your turkey legs fit inside the basket properly before cooking. If you are using a high-wattage air fryer, you should also check on the turkey legs halfway through the cooking time and adjust as needed. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the turkey legs in batches.
Make sure that there is space around each turkey leg in the air fryer basket to allow for even cooking. Do not stack or overlap the turkey legs. Air circulation is key to achieving crispy skin on your turkey legs.
If you are cooking multiple batches, you can keep the first batch warm by transferring the cooked turkey legs to an oven preheated to 200–250 °F (90–120 °C).
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 20-40 minutes to cook turkey legs in an air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The time varies depending on the size of the turkey legs, with larger drumsticks needing more time and smaller ones needing less.
Turkey legs should be cooked at 400 degrees Fahrenheit in an air fryer. The final internal temperature of the turkey legs should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
To make turkey legs crispy, pat the legs dry thoroughly before applying oil and seasoning. The hot circulating air in the air fryer will give you deliciously crispy turkey legs.
