Servings
Font
Back
5.0 from 21 votes

Easy Crispy Air Fryer Turkey Legs

Golden brown on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside, these easy Air Fryer Turkey Legs are perfectly rubbed with a smoky seasoned butter and air fried in no time! Yielding tender, juicy and crispy skinned turkey legs.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 2 -4 servings
Calories: 433 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 - 3 pounds turkey legs (about 2 large turkey legs), rinsed, dried well with paper towels
  • 6 tablespoons butter softened, salted or unsalted
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon seasoning salt like Lawry's
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar light or dark
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or fresh thyme, chopped, 1 tablespoon
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or Poultry seasoning or Herbs de Provence

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine soft butter with smoked paprika, seasoned salt, garlic powder, brown sugar, black pepper, thyme and Italian seasoning until mixed. Remove one tablespoon of herb butter for basting and melt.
  2. With paper towels pat the turkey legs completely dry. Rub the smokey herb butter all over the legs including under the skin where you are able.
  3. Preheat the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to 400° F (205° C). Place legs in the air fryer basket, without touching. Air Fry for a total of 40 minutes, turning half way through abd basting with 1 tablespoon melted herb butter. Cook until internal temperature reaches 160-165° F. Some larger legs will take a little longer, if browning too quickly, loosely tent legs with foil and continue cooking until correct temperature.
  4. Remove from the air fryer and allow the turkey legs to rest (tented with foil) for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • If using a countertop air fryer, turkey will often brown too quickly before cooking all the way through. Lower the basket to the middle-lower portion of the air fryer and if needed tent with foil towards the end. 
  • Remove the turkey legs from the fridge and let come to room temperature for 20-30 minutes. Then preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees and place legs in the basket, air fry for about 10 minutes, turning them over half way through.
  • Without removing packaging, submerge frozen turkey legs in room temperature water for 2-3 hours. Or remove them from the freezer and place in the fridge overnight. 
  • If you want to try and air fry frozen turkey legs, reduce the temperature to 360 degrees F  and rub legs all over with half the butter mixture. Roast for 25 minutes, then flip and baste with remaining butter mixture (melted) air frying for another 20-30 minutes. If browning too quickly, tent with foil. 
  • Remember that all air fryers heat and cook a little differently, start with a little less time and use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey legs. Legs should be cooked to 165 degrees F.
  • Nope, the air fryer with its quick and cooking heat, keeps the breasts nice and moist.
  • Variations | Omit butter and make dry rub; combine all of the dry spices. Rubbing all over the dried turkey legs, then spray with some avocado oil or olive oil before air frying.
  • Omit butter and make dry rub; combine all of the dry spices. Rubbing all over the dried turkey legs, then spray with some avocado oil or olive oil before air frying.
  • avocado oil
  • Storage 
  • If using a countertop air fryer, turkey will often brown too quickly before cooking all the way through. Lower the basket to the middle-lower portion of the air fryer and if needed tent with foil towards the end. 
  • How to reheat turkey legs in air fryer | Remove the turkey legs from the fridge and let come to room temperature for 20-30 minutes. Then preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees and place legs in the basket, air fry for about 10 minutes, turning them over half way through.
  • How to quick thaw frozen turkey legs | Without removing packaging, submerge frozen turkey legs in room temperature water for 2-3 hours. Or remove them from the freezer and place in the fridge overnight. 
  • Can I air fry frozen turkey legs? | If you want to try and air fry frozen turkey legs, reduce the temperature to 360 degrees F  and rub legs all over with half the butter mixture. Roast for 25 minutes, then flip and baste with remaining butter mixture (melted) air frying for another 20-30 minutes. If browning too quickly, tent with foil. 
  • Remember that all air fryers heat and cook a little differently, start with a little less time and use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the turkey legs. Legs should be cooked to 165 degrees F.
  • Do I need to brine my turkey legs? Nope, the air fryer with its quick and cooking heat, keeps the breasts nice and moist.
  • Lean turkey legs will need less time to cook, start by cooking for 10 minutes per side, check the temperature and adjust as needed.
  • Turkey Legs in the Air Fryer will last in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Keep them stored in a zippered bag or an airtight container, cooled completely first.
  • Cool turkey legs completely, wrap well with foil or plastic wrap and then store in air tight freezer baggie. Freeze up to 3 months

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 433kcal (22%) Carbohydrates 3g (1%) Protein 37g (74%) Fat 30g (46%) Saturated Fat 15g (75%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 8g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 179mg (60%) Sodium 857mg (36%) Potassium 558mg (16%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 919IU (18%) Vitamin C 0.2mg (0%) Calcium 54mg (5%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2-4 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 433

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 433kcal 22%
Carbohydrates 3g 1%
Protein 37g 74%
Fat 30g 46%
Saturated Fat 15g 75%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 8g 40%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 179mg 60%
Sodium 857mg 36%
Potassium 558mg 12%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 919IU 18%
Vitamin C 0.2mg 0%
Calcium 54mg 5%
Iron 4mg 22%

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