Air fryer turkey legs work best during Thanksgiving! Without using a lot of oil, the air fryer produces that deliciously crispy outside layer. The turkey during Thanksgiving is a little disappointing, and there is an excessively tasteless, dry flesh. There should always be more tasty, soft dark meat. For Thanksgiving, turkey legs are great if you’re hosting a smaller group or want a change from weeknight chicken dinners because they can easily feed two people. Additionally, turkey legs are simple to prepare, making them appropriate for dinners at any time.

Ingredients for air fryer turkey legs:

• Turkey legs (2)
• Unsalted butter (2 tbsp.)
• Smoked paprika (1 ½ tsp.)
• Fresh thyme (1 tsp.)
• Salt (1 tsp.)
• Garlic powder (1 tsp.)
• Fresh rosemary (1 tsp.)

Equipment:

• Air fryer

Additional kitchen hardware tools:

• Meat thermometer

How to air fry turkey legs?

Step 1: Combine the ingredients and the melted butter in a small mixing bowl. After using a paper towel to dry the turkey legs, brush both sides of the drumsticks with butter to coat them thoroughly.

Step 2: In the air fryer basket, arrange the turkey legs in a single layer. Air fry for 25 to 30 minutes at 400 degrees F, rotating the turkey legs once halfway through.

Step 3: Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness; the interior temperature should be 165 degrees. Before eating, give the turkey five to seven minutes to rest. Serve your favorite alongside this beautiful dish.

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Why should you eat air fryer turkey legs?

Air fry turkey legs are much better for you than deep-frying! The turkey leg is a fantastic choice for a healthy, delectable lunch since, although having more saturated fat than white meat, dark meat has more vitamins and minerals. Skip the skin if you want it to be even healthier! The turkey gains a lot of fat from the skin, and simply removing the skin makes the piece of turkey healthier.

Note: Be careful not to overcook a turkey when cooking it. The chance of a turkey being overcooked and drier than a chicken is higher. However, there should be no issue if you use a meat thermometer and stick to this air fryer turkey recipe.

The Benefits of Eating Turkey:

• Enhances the immune system
• Includes the vitamins B6 and B12.
• Rich in protein
• Includes zinc

Tricks to make perfect air fryer turkey legs

These valuable tips and tactics can assist you in getting the crispy exterior and juicy meat you desire. What you have to know is as follows:

• If you have the time, take your turkey legs out of the refrigerator approximately 15 minutes before you cook them. This will enable them to warm up gradually, making it more straightforward for you to apply the butter rub. Instead of butter use olive oil if you didn’t remember to take them out of the fridge earlier; it will be simpler to spread.
• Consider the turkey leg size; the length of cooking time is directly related to the size of the turkey leg. Lean turkey legs, often known as smaller drumsticks, roast faster than huge ones. Avoid buying giant drumsticks because they might not fit in the basket of your air fryer.
• Never overcrowd the basket: This rule applies to all air fryer recipes. Overcrowding your basket means a longer cooking time and causes unevenly cooked food. Depending on the size of your drumsticks, air frying them in batches may be necessary for the best results.
• Before using the rub, make sure to dry each drumstick completely. This will guarantee that you receive the desired, crispy, golden-brown skin.
• Use a meat thermometer to verify the interior temperature after cooking to eliminate any uncertainty about how long to cook the turkey drumsticks in the air fryer.
• Remember to give them some rest! When the turkey legs are finished cooking, loosely cover them with foil and allow them to rest for ten to fifteen minutes. As a result, the turkey legs won’t be dry but instead will be moist.

Tips for storing leftovers

You can be sure that these air-fried turkey legs are simple to store and reheat, regardless of whether you want to prepare this recipe before a large holiday feast or merely have leftovers you’d like to enjoy the following day. Here are a few pieces of advice:

Store: Allow your turkey legs in air fryer to cool to room temperature before storing. After they have cooled, refrigerate any leftover turkey legs for up to two days by placing them in a zipper bag.

Reheat: Set your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly brush or spray oil on the basket. Cook turkey drumsticks in an air fryer for 5-7 minutes.

Air fryer turkey legs

For Thanksgiving, turkey legs are great if you're hosting a smaller group or want a change from weeknight chicken dinners because they can easily feed two people. Additionally, turkey legs are simple to prepare, making them appropriate for dinners at any time.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 39 mins

Total Time 54 mins

Course Main Course

Servings 4

Calories 516 kcal

Equipment

• Air fryer
• Meat thermometer

Ingredients

  

• Turkey legs (2)
• Unsalted butter (2 tbsp.)
• Smoked paprika (1 ½ tsp.)
• Fresh thyme (1 tsp.)
• Salt (1 tsp.)
• Garlic powder (1 tsp.)
• Fresh rosemary (1 tsp.)

Instructions

 

• Combine the ingredients and the melted butter in a small mixing bowl. After using a paper towel to dry the turkey legs, brush both sides of the drumsticks with butter to coat them thoroughly.
• In the air fryer basket, arrange the turkey legs in a single layer. Air fry for 25 to 30 minutes at 400 degrees F, rotating the turkey legs once halfway through.
• Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness; the interior temperature should be 165 degrees. Before eating, give the turkey five to seven minutes to rest. Serve your favorite alongside this beautiful dish.

Notes

Be careful not to overcook a turkey when cooking it. The chance of a turkey being overcooked and drier than a chicken is higher. However, there should be no issue if you use a meat thermometer and stick to this air fryer turkey recipe.