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 in my hand 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.
How to Air Fry Turkey Legs
First, combine your seasonings. I use salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and brown sugar.
Rinse and 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 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, flip your turkey leg and lightly spray again and cook for another 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. There was no need to as the Air Fryer does the job of keeping the meat moist.
- Lean turkey legs will cook in less time. Cut cooking times in half.
Looking for more Air Fryer Recipes? Try these out:
Air Fryer Turkey Leg Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 large turkey legs
- 1 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon season salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- oil for spraying avocado, canola, etc.
Instructions
- Combine smoked paprika, brown sugar, seasoned salt, garlic powder until fully mixed. Set aside.
- Wash and pat dry turkey legs.
- 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 20 minutes. Then open air fryer basket, flip turkey legs and lightly spray with oil. Close Air Fryer basket and cook for 20 more minutes.
- Remove and Enjoy 🙂
Suggested Tools
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. There was no need to as the Air Fryer does the job of keeping the meat moist.
- Lean turkey legs will need a lesser cook time. Cut the cook times in half.
Nutrition
Fred
Saturday 31st of December 2022
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
Tuesday 3rd of January 2023
Hi Fred, this recipe is for an air fryer. Instant Pots require liquid in order to cook properly.
Diane
Thursday 16th of September 2021
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
Thursday 16th of September 2021
Thank you for the feedback Diane :)
dorothy heater
Thursday 8th of July 2021
new at air frying, chicken thighs came out great, trying turkey leg recipe now -
Tyler
Thursday 1st of July 2021
Can you use this rub on chicken legs too?
Tanya
Monday 5th of July 2021
Hi Tyler, yes you can :)
Keith
Saturday 6th of February 2021
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
Sunday 7th of February 2021
hi Keith, Thanks! That should say lean turkey legs. They are usually smaller in size.