Tillie Doyle
Cooking turkey legs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get delicious, crispy skin and juicy meat. The air fryer's hot circulating air gives a similar result to deep-frying without the need for lots of oil. Turkey legs are a versatile dish that can be served at a holiday dinner, a game day party, or a weeknight meal. They can be seasoned in a variety of ways, from a simple salt and pepper mix to a more complex blend including garlic, rosemary, and brown sugar.
How to Cook a Turkey Leg in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Turkey Leg Weight | 10-12 oz each |
| Turkey Leg Temperature | 165°F or 74°C |
| Air Fryer Temperature | 325°F-400°F |
| Cooking Time | 25-45 minutes |
| Oil | Olive oil, avocado oil, or cooking oil spray |
| Seasoning | Salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, rosemary, brown sugar, onion powder, poultry seasoning, pepper, dried thyme, Herbs de Provence |
| Other Ingredients | Butter, melted butter, or butter rub |
| Other Tips | Pat turkey legs dry before applying oil and seasoning; flip the legs during cooking |
| Storage | Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days |
| Freezing | Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag; will stay good for up to 2 months |
| Reheating | Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 5-7 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right turkey legs
First, opt for fresh or fully thawed turkey legs. These will cook more evenly and result in a crispier texture. You can typically find these at your local grocery store or butcher, usually sold in packs of two or three, with each leg weighing around 10 to 12 ounces. If you're using larger turkey legs, ensure they fit in your air fryer with space to spare; otherwise, they may touch the top and burn.
When selecting turkey legs, consider the type of meat. Lean turkey legs, for example, will require a shorter cooking time. If you're using pre-cooked or smoked turkey legs, be aware that they tend to be very salty and are better suited for stewing.
Before cooking, it's crucial to pat the turkey legs dry thoroughly. This step ensures that the seasoning adheres well to the meat and promotes even cooking. If you plan to brine the turkey legs, be sure to pat them dry before placing them in the air fryer.
Finally, when it comes to seasoning, feel free to get creative! You can use a store-bought seasoning blend or make your own by combining spices like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Don't forget to season under the skin for maximum flavour.
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Preparing the legs for cooking
Next, remove the turkey legs from their packaging and pat them dry with paper towels. This step is important, as it helps to ensure that the legs will cook evenly and crisp up nicely in the air fryer. If you plan to brine the turkey legs, make sure to pat them dry thoroughly before placing them in the air fryer.
Now it's time to make the seasoning. In a small bowl, combine your chosen spices and herbs with some kind of fat—such as olive oil, butter, or cooking oil spray—to create a paste or wet rub. You can use a simple combination of salt and pepper, or try something more complex like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, rosemary, brown sugar, or dried thyme. You can also add in some poultry seasoning for extra flavour. Make sure to coat the entire leg evenly, getting under the skin as well for maximum flavour.
Finally, preheat your air fryer to around 400 degrees Fahrenheit. You can now place the turkey legs in the air fryer basket, making sure that they don't touch the top of the air fryer to prevent burning. Also, ensure there is space around each turkey leg for even cooking.
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Applying the seasoning
To start, pat the turkey legs dry with paper towels. This is an important step to ensure the seasoning sticks to the meat. If you've bought raw turkey legs, make sure they are fully thawed before cooking, as this will help them cook more evenly and crisp better in the air fryer.
Next, make the seasoning or dry rub. In a small bowl, combine your chosen spices and herbs. A simple seasoning mix could include garlic powder, garlic salt, seasoned pepper, brown sugar, and rosemary. You can also add onion powder to the dry rub, or substitute black pepper for seasoned pepper. If you want a more complex flavour profile, include smoked paprika, dried thyme, poultry seasoning, and Herbs de Provence.
Now it's time to apply the seasoning. Make sure to coat the entire leg evenly, and don't forget to get under the skin as well to really infuse the meat with flavour. You can also add olive oil to the turkey legs before applying the seasoning, or skip the oil and mix the spices with melted butter for an extra juicy result.
Finally, place the seasoned turkey legs in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them if possible, to ensure even cooking.
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Cooking the legs
First, remove the turkey legs from their packaging and pat them dry with paper towels. If you have chosen to brine your turkey legs, make sure to pat them dry before air frying.
Next, make your rub. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, poultry seasoning, parsley, salt, paprika, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and rosemary. You can also add in brown sugar and dried thyme. Whisk the ingredients together until they are evenly combined.
Now, apply the rub to the turkey legs. Make sure to coat the entire leg evenly, and try to get under the skin as well.
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the turkey legs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch the top of the air fryer or each other to avoid burning.
Cook the turkey legs for 20 minutes, then flip and rotate them. Continue cooking for another 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The turkey is done when it is no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear.
If you are cooking lean turkey legs or using a high-wattage air fryer, you may need to adjust the cooking time. Check the turkey legs halfway through and reduce the temperature if they are browning too quickly.
Let the turkey legs rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
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Storing and reheating leftovers
Storing leftover turkey legs: To store leftover turkey legs, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. If you wish to store them for longer, wrap the cooked turkey legs tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating leftover turkey legs: Reheating leftover turkey legs in an air fryer is possible but may not be the best method, as it can take a while for the meat to heat through. If you wish to reheat your leftover turkey legs in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through.
An alternative way to reheat leftover turkey legs is to use an oven. Preheat your oven to 325°F and place the leftover turkey legs in a roasting pan. Pour some stock (chicken, turkey, or vegetable) over the meat to moisten it, cover the pan with foil, and bake for 45 minutes to an hour, or until warmed through.
If you are short on time or only have access to a microwave, you can reheat your leftover turkey legs that way, but be aware that this method can dry out the meat and leave the skin chewy. To mitigate this, drizzle a little giblet gravy over the turkey and cover with a microwave-safe plate while heating.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 30-40 minutes to cook a turkey leg in an air fryer.
You should cook the turkey legs at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pat the turkey legs dry with a paper towel before cooking. You can also try to reduce the temperature to 325°F if they are browning too quickly.
Combine butter, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. You can also add rosemary, dried thyme, poultry seasoning, and Herbs de Provence.
Store leftover turkey legs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze them by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
