The best way to air fry a whole turkey leg will depend on the size of your air fryer; if it’s too small, cook it in two parts like I did, or cook it whole in a larger fryer! Whole turkey leg quarters cook up to be surprisingly meaty, incredibly moist, and incredibly economical in just 45 minutes! Plus I’ve included the easiest herb butter to make it extra delicious.
This was a really tricky recipe to work out how to make in a smaller air fryer. But I was determined to work out a way to show you how to cook one regardless.
Turkey legs are such good value compared to a whole bird and especially compared to a crown. The turkey legs themselves are surprisingly large, which makes cooking them in a small air fryer a little more difficult, even though they yield a surprising amount of meat.
Similar to my classic oven-roasted and brined turkey crown recipe, I’ve made a herby butter to ensure that the leg cooks with extra moisture and flavor. The leg meat is so moist anyway it is merely gilding the lily really.
I write the vast majority of my air fryer recipes using a smaller 3. 8L air fryer wherever possible. This is because, barring very rare circumstances, you should be able to fit whatever I’m cooking into your air fryer if it will fit in a fairly small one. Its easier to scale up than down.
But for larger pieces of meat where that simply isn’t possible, I use a 4. 7 litre fryer. This is still, in my opinion, on the smaller side, or at most, average in size compared to most common air fryers. Even the two drawer machines don’t tend to have baskets too much bigger than that.
So what I’ve done is cooked the drumstick and thigh parts of the turkey leg separately. If you do have a large air fryer, you can of course cook it all as one piece. This recipe should still be helpful even if you just want to air fry a turkey thigh or drumstick.
Naturally, depending on where you live in the world, most people think of Christmas or Thanksgiving when they think of serving turkey. Though, compared to us in the UK, our American cousins are far more inclined to consume turkey in one form or another throughout the year.
This recipe really can be seasoned and flavoured however you wish and served in numerous ways. Consider shredding the meat, adding some Tex-Mex or Mexican seasonings, and assembling the tacos with guacamole and salsa.
For Christmas, I like to keep things classic and mix up air fried recipes and regular. Try some of the sides and trimmings that I’ve served in the s in this post:
Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and bursting with flavor, Air Fryer Turkey Legs are the perfect way to enjoy this Thanksgiving staple without the hassle of a full-blown turkey. This recipe is simple quick, and delivers restaurant-quality results right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients:
- 2 large turkey legs: The star of the show, ready to be transformed into crispy, juicy goodness.
- 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika: Adds a touch of smoky depth and complexity to the flavor profile.
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar: A hint of sweetness to balance the savory spices.
- 1 teaspoon season salt: A convenient blend of salt and spices for a well-rounded flavor.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder: Aromatic garlic adds a pungent kick to the mix.
- Oil for spraying: Choose a neutral oil like avocado or canola for a light coating.
Instructions:
- Prepare the Spice Rub: In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, brown sugar, seasoned salt, and garlic powder. Mix well to create a fragrant spice rub.
- Season the Turkey Legs: Rinse and pat dry the turkey legs. Rub the spice mixture all over the legs, ensuring it gets under the skin for maximum flavor infusion.
- Air Fry the Turkey Legs: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the seasoned turkey legs in the air fryer basket and lightly spray them with oil. Air fry for 20 minutes.
- Flip and Finish Cooking: After 20 minutes, open the air fryer basket, flip the turkey legs, and lightly spray them with oil again. Close the basket and continue air frying for another 20 minutes.
- Check for Doneness: Use a quick-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the turkey legs reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This indicates that they are cooked through and safe to eat.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the turkey legs from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before carving and serving. Savor the crispy skin, juicy meat, and delicious seasonings.
Tips and Tricks:
- Adjust Cooking Time: Different air fryers may have varying cooking times. Adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure your turkey legs are cooked through.
- Lean Turkey Legs: If using lean turkey legs, reduce the cooking time by half to prevent them from drying out.
- Brining Optional: While not necessary, brining the turkey legs beforehand can enhance their juiciness.
- Flavor Variations: Experiment with different spice blends to create your own unique flavor profiles.
- Serve with Sides: Pair your air-fried turkey legs with your favorite Thanksgiving sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, or green bean casserole.
Air Fryer Turkey Legs are a delicious and convenient alternative to traditional roasted turkey. This recipe is perfect for smaller gatherings or those who want to avoid the hassle of a large turkey. With its crispy skin, juicy meat, and flavorful seasonings, this dish is sure to impress your guests and become a Thanksgiving tradition in your household. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your air fryer, and embark on this culinary journey to crispy, juicy perfection. You’ll be rewarded with a delicious and memorable meal that will warm your heart and tantalize your taste buds.
What setting is best to use? Air fry, bake, dehydrate, etc…
Not all air fryers have different settings like this. When they do it usually relates to the fan speed. Unless otherwise instructed in the recipe, always choose the “air fry” option as it is the default setting to use.
Other air fryers have a second heating element that cooks food from below as opposed to just the top. Similar to the other settings, only use the top down air fry option unless the recipe specifically calls for using a second heating element.
Naturally, as you gain experience using air fryers and their settings, you can start modifying the recipes to fit your needs.
What Exactly is an Air Fryer?
Very simply, an air fryer is a small convection (fan) oven. The advantage is that the food cooks more quickly and evenly because hot air is circulated around it while it cooks.
This is the tastiest Air Fryer Turkey Legs I’ve ever eaten! Quick and cheap recipe!
FAQ
Is it better to air fry or bake turkey?
How long to warm up turkey leg in air fryer?
What temperature should a turkey leg be cooked to?
Why are my turkey legs tough?
How do you cook turkey legs in an air fryer?
Follow these steps: Cook the turkey legs in the preheated air fryer for 25-30 minutes, flipping them halfway through. This ensures both sides are evenly cooked and crispy. Check the internal temperature of the turkey legs using a meat thermometer. The desired temperature should reach 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
Are airfryers healthy?
Air fryers should be used sparingly, as very high temperatures when cooking food – especially those rich in starch, such as potatoes, cassava and other roots – can produce a chemical called acrylamide, which is harmful to the human body and has carcinogenic potential.
Are turkey legs fried in an air fryer?
Turkey legs are slightly lower in calories than chicken, and air fryer doesn’t dry them out. Air Fryer cooking is fast, yes. But it uses much less oil than traditional frying for a healthier fried entrée. Turkey Legs/Drumsticks | I use about 2-3 lbs of dark meat turkey legs for this recipe.
Can You air Fry turkey legs if they are frozen?
Before diving headfirst into air frying, you’ll need to prepare your turkey legs. Follow these simple steps: Thaw the turkey legs if they are frozen. This ensures even cooking and prevents any unwanted surprises. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for around 5 minutes. This will create the perfect cooking environment for your turkey legs.