These Air Fryer Turkey Legs are roasted in the Air Fryer and are nice and crisp on the outside while perfectly juicy on the inside. Take a trip to your favorite fair with this easy recipe.
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Full Recipe/Instructions can be found at the bottom of the post in the recipe card after the helpful tips and tricks in the post.
I’ve been thinking a ton about the Fair. It’s been a while since I’ve gone, but whenever I go, I always seek out the booth that sells the giant turkey legs. Holding a huge turkey leg while walking through the Fair brings back great memories. Forget the rides, forget the prizes; it’s all about the food.
These roasted turkey legs would be perfect for a weeknight meal or even if you wanted to serve them up for the Thanksgiving Holiday. I cook them in the Air Fryer as it keeps the turkey leg nice and crispy on the outside and nice and moist on the inside.
Ingredients Needed
Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Turkey Legs - Choose fresh or fully thawed turkey legs, as these will cook more evenly and crisp better in the air fryer. Typically, grocery stores carry them in packs of two or three, and they are often around 10–12 ounces each.
- Oil and Seasonings - Olive oil, smoked paprika, brown sugar, seasoned salt, and garlic powder
How to Air Fry Turkey Legs
First, combine your seasonings. I use salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and brown sugar.
Pat dry your turkey legs, then rub your spice mixture all over your turkey legs. I make sure to rub the seasoning under the skin as well to get that flavor all over the meat.
Then place the turkey legs in your Air Fryer basket. Lightly spray your turkey leg with a mist of cooking oil. I use my handy dandy oil spray bottle. I discuss more on why you should invest in a spray bottle in my 10 Air Fryer Tips and Tricks.
Cook on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes. Flip your turkey leg and lightly spray again and cook for another 15-20 minutes.
Remove your turkey leg. Use a quick read thermometer to ensure that your turkey leg is done.
Serve and enjoy your delicious and juicy turkey leg 🙂
Notes on Air Fryer Roasted Turkey Legs
- You should be able to find turkey legs in your local grocery store in the poultry section. They usually sell them in packs of 2 or 3. If you pick up a pack of lean turkey legs, adjust the cooking time.
- Different air fryers will require different cook times. Adjust your cook times accordingly.
- I don’t brine the turkey legs when making them in the Air Fryer. However, if you choose to brine, just make sure to pat the turkey legs dry before air frying.
- Lean turkey legs will cook in less time. Cut cooking times in half.
Make Ahead Tips, Storage, and Reheating
- Storage: Store any leftover turkey legs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze cooked turkey legs by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap, then placing them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll stay good in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5–7 minutes, or until heated through. This method helps maintain the crispy skin. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, though the skin may be less crispy.
Serving Suggestions
- Meal Pairings: Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad to complete the meal.
- Sauce Pairings: Try pairing with cranberry sauce, gravy, or a barbecue sauce for extra flavor.
Troubleshooting and Tips
- Avoid Overcrowding: Ensure there is space around each turkey leg in the air fryer for even cooking. If you have a smaller air fryer, cook in batches.
- Skin Crispiness: For extra-crispy skin, pat the turkey legs dry thoroughly before applying oil and seasoning.
- Reduce Temperature: If you notice the turkey legs are browning too quickly or starting to burn, reduce the air fryer temperature to 325°F. This allows the inside to cook without further darkening the outside. Different air fryers can vary in heat intensity. If you’re using a high-wattage air fryer, check the turkey legs halfway through the cooking time and adjust as needed.
Looking for more Air Fryer Recipes? Try these out:
- Air Fryer Turkey Breast
- Air Fryer Turkey Wings
- Fried Chicken
- Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs
- Creamy Air Fryer Mac and Cheese
Air Fryer Turkey Leg Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Combine smoked paprika, brown sugar, seasoned salt, garlic powder until fully mixed. Set aside.
- Rub seasoning mixture all over turkey legs making sure to get under the skin as well.
- Place in Air Fryer basket. Lightly spray with oil.
- Air Fry on 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes. Then open air fryer basket, flip turkey legs and lightly spray with oil. Close Air Fryer basket and cook for 15-20 more minutes.
- Remove and Enjoy 🙂
Nutrition
Notes
- You should be able to find turkey legs in your local grocery store in the poultry section. They usually sell them in packs of 2 or 3. If you pick up a pack of lean turkey legs, adjust the cooking time.
- Different air fryers will require different cook times. Adjust your cook times accordingly.
- I don’t brine the turkey legs when making them in the Air Fryer.
- Lean turkey legs will need a lesser cooking time. Cut the cook times in half.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was! This post was originally published on June 27, 2019. It has been updated with new information.
Sarah says
Super tasty, moist and delicious. My husband who is not a big of most things from the air fryer these are a HUGE hit with him. They have become a staple in my meals once or twice depending on our mood.
Tanya says
Thanks so much, Sarah! Agreed, this is one of my favorite things to make in the air fryer as well. Perfecr everytime. Happy you both like the recipe.
Evie says
I just came across your turkey leg recipe and decided to give it a try. It’s summer and I didn’t want to turn my oven on (my normal ‘go to’ for turkey legs). The seasoning is simply amazing!! Would not have thought to use this blend with ‘brown sugar’ but it works! I have a Gourmia Airfryer, and I selected the Roast feature instead of the Airfry feature, with temp at 390, for about 40 mins total. I probably could have taken out at 30 mins. I did use the thermometer as well. Skin was nice, crispy and flavorful!! The turkey meat was delish as well! I will make this again! Thank you!!
Tanya says
Thanks so much, Evie! So happy you enjoyed the recipe and thank you for the tips in making this in the Gourmia air fryer.
Julian green says
Sounds like a great recipe will definitely try it soon. I’m alone, widow no family or kids here in the U.S
Tanya says
Thanks, Julian! I hope you like the recipe.
Ann says
This recipe looks great, I'll have to try it. I will be using a quick read thermometer, and I was wondering what the temperature would be when you take it out of the oven. Do you let it rest for a few minutes to complete cooking afterwards? Also, I appreciate the nutrition chart. I was wondering about the calorie count per serving, and serving size --or is this calorie count (988) for both legs?
Thanks.
Tanya says
Hi Ann, thank you. The calorie count is an estimation for 1 leg. I usually pull it at around 170 degrees Fahrenheit. I do let it rest for a few minutes afterward as well. I hope you like the recipe.
Linda says
Sounds great! Planning on giving this a go exactly as written. My AirFryer has racks instead of a basket. If I'm only using one rack, I have constant all around air flow. Do you think I would still need to flip them or just cook straight 40 mins?
Tanya says
Hi Linda, I usually always flip, mainly because the heating element is at the top. I find that one side gets significantly darker if I don't flip.
Linda says
@Tanya, Thanks! Happy Thanksgiving!
Jessi says
I followed the recipe exactly and the turkey legs turned out great. Thanks for this!
Tanya says
Thank you, Jessi! So happy you liked the recipe 🙂
Fred says
You can spray cooking oil on turkey or chicken legs lightly It won’t catch fire in insta-pot? I am new to insta-pot cooking
Tanya says
Hi Fred, this recipe is for an air fryer. Instant Pots require liquid in order to cook properly.
Diane says
I've tried various recipes for turkey legs in my air fryer, and this one is the best! The seasoning is perfect, the skin is nice and crispy and the meat is moist. Thank you for sharing it with us!
Tanya says
Thank you for the feedback Diane 🙂
dorothy heater says
new at air frying, chicken thighs came out great, trying turkey leg recipe now -
Tyler says
Can you use this rub on chicken legs too?
Tanya says
Hi Tyler, yes you can 🙂
Keith says
How to survive quarantine without getting bored on meal choices? Follow Tanya Harris' My Forking Life blog! You have certainly made meal choices interesting and something to look forward to again since I am not dining out until this COVID situation is behind us.
I am thinking of doing this recipe in the near future but wanted some clarification on what you mean by 'lea turkey legs' in the NOTES section?
Tanya says
hi Keith, Thanks! That should say lean turkey legs. They are usually smaller in size.
Sharon says
You are an amazing cook🧑🍳
Tanya says
Thank you Sharon 🙂
Mishe says
Thanks. This recipe looks awsome!!
Michelle says
This was so Delicious! Thank you so much, now I can make my own & not spend 12$ for only 1 at the fair!
dorothy heater says
@Michelle, true always get a smoked turkey leg at the fair, part of the experience, but nice to do this at home!!
June says
@dorothy heater, I have to smoked drumsticks. Can I cook them the same way. If they are already smoked? First time cooking them
Tanya says
Hi June, I would reduce the temp if using already cooked smoked turkey legs. Since they are already cooked, you're technically reheating them. If the temp is too high when cooked, they can burn. I'd try at a temp of 300F until the internal temp reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.