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.

raw seasoned turkey legs in air fryer basket

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:

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4.87 from 22 votes

Air Fryer Turkey Leg Recipe

These Air Fryer Turkey Legs are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. These legs are perfectly seasoned and so easy to roast in your Air Fryer.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword air fryer turkey legs, roasted turkey leg, turkey leg recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 40

Total Time 45

Servings people

Calories 988kcal

Author Tanya

Ingredients

2 large turkey legs patted dry
1 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon seasoned 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.
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 🙂

Suggested Tools

Quick Read Thermometer

Air Fryer

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.

Nutrition

My Southern Air Fryer ECookbookFind all my Top Southern Air Fryer recipes in one place! My Southern Air Fryer ECookbook!

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Although myforkinglife.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Under no circumstances will myforkinglife.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.

This post was originally published on June 27, 2019. It has been updated with new information.