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5.0 from 12 votes

Air Fryer Turkey Legs Recipe

These Air Fryer Turkey Legs are seasoned with a butter rub for a beautifully crisp skin and a juicy middle. Serve this festive, easy dish as a crowd-pleasing main course for a small holiday gathering, a fun handheld snack for Game Day, or even for a quick weeknight dinner.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Resting Time
10 mins
Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 516 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 turkey drumsticks approximately 12 ounces each
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter softened or olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Prep the turkey legs: Remove turkey legs from their packaging onto a plate and pat dry with paper towels as much as you can. Set them aside.
  2. Make the rub: Mix together the softened butter, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl until well combined.
  3. Apply the rub: Spread each turkey drumstick with the butter mixture on all sides and under the skin while being careful to not tear the skin.
  4. Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Carefully remove the air fryer basket and place the turkey legs.
  5. Air fry: Air fry the drumsticks for 20 minutes, rotate and flip, and then air fry for another 10-15 minutes* or until the internal temperature of one of the turkey legs registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit when inserted with a meat thermometer.
  6. Rest and serve: Remove the turkey legs from the air fryer, cover them loosely with foil, and let them rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • There’s a direct correlation between the size of the turkey leg and its cook time. Keep an eye on your turkey legs while cooking, especially the smaller ones because they cook faster. They're done when the internal temperature of the turkey legs reaches 165 degrees F. 
  • Turkey legs and thighs: You can air fry turkey legs and thighs together using this recipe. The cooking temperature would still be the same. The timing would depend on the size of your turkey thighs and drumsticks. However, as long as they are similar (approximately 12 ounces) in size, it should be around 35 to 40 minutes of air frying time. Be sure to flip them halfway through and air fry them until the
  • internal temp
  • reaches 165 degrees F.
  • After air frying your turkey legs, let them cool to room temperature. Once they have cooled, place leftover turkey legs in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. 
  • To reheat them in the air fryer, set your air fryer to 350 degrees F and lightly spray or coat the basket with oil. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.
  • Cook time: There’s a direct correlation between the size of the turkey leg and its cook time. Keep an eye on your turkey legs while cooking, especially the smaller ones because they cook faster. They're done when the internal temperature of the turkey legs reaches 165 degrees F. 
  • Turkey legs and thighs: You can air fry turkey legs and thighs together using this recipe. The cooking temperature would still be the same. The timing would depend on the size of your turkey thighs and drumsticks. However, as long as they are similar (approximately 12 ounces) in size, it should be around 35 to 40 minutes of air frying time. Be sure to flip them halfway through and air fry them until the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F.
  • Store: After air frying your turkey legs, let them cool to room temperature. Once they have cooled, place leftover turkey legs in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. 
  • Reheat: To reheat them in the air fryer, set your air fryer to 350 degrees F and lightly spray or coat the basket with oil. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories 516kcal (26%) Carbohydrates 1g (0%) Protein 66g (132%) Fat 26g (40%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Polyunsaturated Fat 6g Monounsaturated Fat 8g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 248mg (83%) Sodium 542mg (23%) Potassium 940mg (27%) Fiber 0.2g (1%) Sugar 0.1g (0%) Vitamin A 221IU (4%) Vitamin C 0.1mg (0%) Calcium 61mg (6%) Iron 6mg (33%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 516

% Daily Value*

Calories 516kcal 26%
Carbohydrates 1g 0%
Protein 66g 132%
Fat 26g 40%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6g 35%
Monounsaturated Fat 8g 40%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 248mg 83%
Sodium 542mg 23%
Potassium 940mg 20%
Fiber 0.2g 1%
Sugar 0.1g 0%
Vitamin A 221IU 4%
Vitamin C 0.1mg 0%
Calcium 61mg 6%
Iron 6mg 33%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.