Air Fryer Turkey Legs

Air fryer turkey legs perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any occasion. This turkey drumstick recipe is quick, easy, flavorful, tender, moist, and delicious. Let me show you how to cook turkey legs in air fryer that can be served with fried potatoes, vegetables, gravy, or any side of choice.

Air Fryer Turkey Legs Recipe

The best air fryer turkey legs recipe that is easy, quick, and simple.

Turkey legs are dark meat and more flavorful than the breast which makes it a great choice for when you want to cook turkey without making a whole turkey.

This air fryer turkey leg recipe uses a few pantry ingredients in its seasoning, it's aromatic, flavorful, and delicious.

It requires minimal preparation and it is hands-off once it goes in the air fryer.

The spices and herbs used are dried ones which makes them easily accessible and what you probably already have in your kitchen pantry.

I have used 1 turkey drumstick which fitted nicely in my 5.5 liters air fryer but you can use 2 turkey legs if they will fit in your air fryer without overlapping. What you should then do is double the ingredients. Cooking time stays the same.

Let me show you how to roast turkey legs in air fryer in an easy, quick, and simple way.

Turkey Legs Seasoning and Marinade

I used dried herbs and spices to make the seasoning for this turkey drumstick. I then added olive oil to make into a marinade to easily apply it to the turkey leg. The oil helps the seasoning stick to the leg.

The herbs and spices included in this seasoning are parsley, rosemary, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.

This seasoning and marinade can be used on other turkey parts.

You can use any other good seasoning like this homemade turkey seasoning. Italian seasoning also works well with turkey leg.

If using any of the above seasonings, use 2-3 tablespoons for each kg of turkey leg.

Ingredients

Turkey leg

Rosemary

Thyme

Paprika

Parsley

Garlic powder

Onion powder

Black pepper

Salt

Olive oil

How To Cook Turkey Legs in the Air fryer

Roasting turkey leg in air fryer is simple and straightforward. Here's how to do it:

Pat the turkey leg dry.

Make 2-3 deep cuts in the thickest part.

In a small bowl, mix the rosemary, parsley, thyme, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, olive oil, and salt.

Rub the marinade all over the turkey legs and inside the cuts made on it. Ensure that all parts of the turkey are covered in the marinade.

If there's time for you to marinate it, put the turkey drumsticks in the fridge to marinate for a few hours.

Bring out the marinated turkey leg and place it in the air fryer basket.

Air fry at a temperature of 180C for 45 minutes flipping the turkey leg halfway into air frying it.

When the turkey is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting into it.

Serve and enjoy.

How Long To Cook Turkey Legs in Air Fryer

How long to air fry turkey drumsticks depends on the size, the thickness, whether you're cooking it from chilled or frozen. However, for 1kg (2lb) size, how long to cook turkey leg at a temperature of 180C is 45 minutes.

If cooking from frozen, add additional 5-10 minutes to the cooking time depending on size.

Smaller pieces will take lesser time and bigger ones will take longer to cook so adjust time accordingly.

Also as air fryer brands vary and so does their cooking time, you might have to adjust the time and temperature based on the type of your air fryer.

To test that the turkey drumstick is cooked and safe to eat, insert a meat thermometer at the thickest part of the turkey leg, If the temperature is at least 165F/ 75C then it is safe to eat. Also, when it is cooked, there should be no blood around the bone.

What To Serve With

Potatoes - Parmentier potatoes, roast potatoes, boiled potatoes.

Vegetables - Sauteed vegetables, air fryer vegetables, Mediterranean roasted vegetables, Boiled carrots, boiled broccoli.

Gravy

Rice - Spicy rice, Rice and peas, curry rice,

Pasta

How To Store

To store leftover air fryer turkey legs,  let them cool completely then pack them in an airtight container, or a Ziploc and store them in the fridge where they will store well for up to 5 days.

To store in the freezer: Pack in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container, label with name and dates then store in the freezer where It can be frozen for up to 6 months. 

How To Reheat Turkey Leg in Air Fryer

Tukey leg can be reheated in the air fryer, oven, or microwave.

For reheating turkey legs in the air fryer, remove it from any packaging, then place it in the air fryer basket. Air fry it for 4 minutes at a temperature of 200C/400F or until it is warmed through.

If reheating it from frozen, it will take longer than reheating from chilled so you might have to add additional time. Add between 4- 10 minutes if reheating from frozen.

To reheat it in the oven, place turkey legs on a baking tray and heat it in the oven at a temperature of 180C for 5 minutes or till it's warmed through. 

Tips

• Pat the turkey legs dry with a paper towel before seasoning them.

• Adjust the pepper quantity to suit your personal preference.

• After seasoning, you can put it in the fridge to marinate for 1 hour up to 24 hours.

• You can use any other homemade seasoning to season the turkey drumsticks.

• If you don't have Olive oil, substitute for vegetable or sunflower oil.

I hope you like this air fryer turkey legs recipe as much as we do. If you find this post helpful, rate it 5 stars and leave me a comment below. I love reading from you. Also share with your friends and families on Facebook, WhatsApp, and Pinterest.

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