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Fried Turkey Legs (Air Fryer)

Learn how to make the perfectly crispy, juicy and delicious Air Fryer Turkey Legs for your weeknight dinner or small Thanksgiving celebration at home.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings: 1 leg
Calories: 974 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 turkey leg
  • 3 tablespoons avocado oil canola, vegetable oil, peanut oil or sesame oil instead
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried sage
  • ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F for about 3-5 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the avocado oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, dried sage, and poultry
  3. Pat the turkey leg dry with paper towels.
  4. Rub the seasoning mixture all over the turkey leg, ensuring is well coated.
  5. Place the leg in the air fryer basket.
  6. Air fry the leg for 40-45 minutes, turning halfway through the cooking time, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy and golden brown.
  7. Let the leg rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

  • If you’re using lean turkey legs, you might need slightly less time to cook them, so keep that in mind. 
  • This one’s the golden rule of air frying pretty much anything. Don’t overcrowd your Air Fryer basket, and leave enough space between each turkey leg to allow the hot air to flow through and crisp them up.
  • Make sure you pat dry each turkey leg and remove every bit of moisture from the surface before you coat them in the spice rub. This will help the skin crisp up nicely. 
  • Make sure you let the turkey drumsticks rest for a few minutes before you serve them. This allows them to retain all the juices and have that perfectly moist inside. 
  • To minimize the mess while making turkey legs in Air Fryer, line the basket with some parchment paper before you add the turkey legs in. 
  • Time it right: If you’re using lean turkey legs, you might need slightly less time to cook them, so keep that in mind. 
  • Avoid overcrowding: This one’s the golden rule of air frying pretty much anything. Don’t overcrowd your Air Fryer basket, and leave enough space between each turkey leg to allow the hot air to flow through and crisp them up.
  • Pat dry: Make sure you pat dry each turkey leg and remove every bit of moisture from the surface before you coat them in the spice rub. This will help the skin crisp up nicely. 
  • Let them rest: Make sure you let the turkey drumsticks rest for a few minutes before you serve them. This allows them to retain all the juices and have that perfectly moist inside. 
  • Make cleanup easy: To minimize the mess while making turkey legs in Air Fryer, line the basket with some parchment paper before you add the turkey legs in. 

Nutrition Information

Serving 1Turkey Leg Calories 974kcal (49%) Carbohydrates 6g (2%) Protein 133g (266%) Fat 88g (135%) Saturated Fat 19g (95%) Polyunsaturated Fat 18g Monounsaturated Fat 44g Cholesterol 481mg (160%) Sodium 5156mg (215%) Potassium 1961mg (56%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 372IU (7%) Vitamin C 13mg (14%) Calcium 149mg (15%) Iron 13mg (72%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1leg

Amount Per Serving

Calories 974

% Daily Value*

Serving 1Turkey Leg
Calories 974kcal 49%
Carbohydrates 6g 2%
Protein 133g 266%
Fat 88g 135%
Saturated Fat 19g 95%
Polyunsaturated Fat 18g 106%
Monounsaturated Fat 44g 220%
Cholesterol 481mg 160%
Sodium 5156mg 215%
Potassium 1961mg 42%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 372IU 7%
Vitamin C 13mg 14%
Calcium 149mg 15%
Iron 13mg 72%

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