These Easy Air Fryer Turkey Legs are seasoned and roasted to perfection with crispy skin. Serve these for weeknight dinners or as main dish for the holidays and Thanksgiving!
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Where to Buy Turkey Legs
Some standard grocers will keep brands like Butterball and Jenni-O on hand year-round. Many retailers only carry them seasonally around fall. A local butcher is usually really helpful.
How to Defrost
You can defrost them in the fridge overnight. This is the safest and most convenient method, but it requires some advance planning. Allow approximately 24 hours of defrosting time for every 4-5 pounds of turkey.
You can also defrost them in cold water. Place the turkey legs in a leak-proof bag. Fill a large bowl or container with cold water. Submerge the turkey legs in the water. Make sure the legs are in an airtight bag to prevent contamination. Change the water every 30 minutes to keep it cold. This helps ensure that the turkey legs defrost evenly and maintain a safe temperature.
How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Legs
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Pat the drumsticks dry and rub both sides with olive oil and spices.
- Place the legs in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry.
Air Fryer Temperature
I use 370 degrees.
Cook Time/How Long to Cook
Cook the drumsticks for about 35 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
How to Tell When Turkey is Done
You will need to use a meat thermometer. Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of one the turkey legs. According to the USDA, Poultry must be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees.
How Do You Keep them From Drying Out
The air fryer works wonderfully to prevent dry turkey. The inside meat is so moist. The skin will be juicy and crispy thanks to the olive oil.
Texture
The texture is a lot similar to fried chicken wings. These have crispy skin. If you are looking for wings that fall off the bone, try my Baked Turkey Wings or Smothered Turkey Wings recipes.
Can You Use Chicken Wings?
Check out my Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe.
More Ideas on How to Season Them
- Homemade BBQ Seasoning and Rub
- Homemade Blackened Seasoning
- Homemade Ranch Seasoning
- Cajun Seasoning
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning
How to Store Them
Cooked turkey legs can be stored in the fridge tightly covered for 3-4 days.
How to Reheat
Reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees until crispy and warm.
Freezer Tips
You can freeze leftover drumsticks tightly covered and sealed. For best taste, they will last up to 3 months. Defrost the legs overnight in the fridge and reheat.
What to Pair with the Dish
Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Roasted Ranch Potatoes
Air Fryer Onion Rings
Cornbread Casserole
Air Fryer Crab Legs
Air Fryer Lamb Chops
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
Air Fryer Brats
Air Fryer Steak
Creamy Ranch Mashed Potatoes
Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar
More Turkey Recipes
Air Fryer Turkey Breast
Baked Turkey Legs
Smoked Turkey Legs
Grilled Turkey Legs
Traeger Smoked Turkey
Air Fryer Turkey Wings
Cajun Spiced Roasted Turkey
Leftover Turkey Chili
Leftover Turkey Nachos
Leftover Turkey Wild Rice Soup
Turkey Bone Broth Recipe
Instant Pot Turkey Breast
Slow Cooker Turkey Legs
Check out a full list of Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes here. Pair these with our Turkey Graving From Drippings or Yellow Gravy Without Drippings recipes.
Air Fryer Turkey Legs
Ingredients
- 2-3 pounds turkey legs Mine weighed about 3/4 of a pound each for a total of 4 turkey legs.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Creole Seasoned Wings (Option 1)
- 1 tablespoon Creole Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
Standard Turkey Seasoning Wing (Option 2)
- 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat the turkey legs dry and rub both sides with olive oil. Sprinkle the spices throughout. Rub the spices into both sides of the legs. Ensure the spices completely cover both sides of the drumsticks. Add more spices if necessary.
- Place the turkey legs in the air fryer basket. Do not stack, Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air fry on 370 degrees for 25 minutes.
- Open the air fryer and flip the drumsticks. Air fry for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the internal temperature (at the thickest part of the wing) has reached 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer. Also air fry until the wings have reached your desired level of crisp. Add additional time if necessary.
- Cool before serving.
Video
Notes
- I provided my 2 favorite ways to season these wings. Pick a method or you can also use your favorite store-bought chicken or poultry rub.
- Cook time will vary based on the air fryer brand and model you use. Always cook turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
- If your legs don’t fit your basket, cook in batches and do not stack. 4 turkey legs fit easily in my 5.8-quart air fryer.
Sabrina G
Tuesday 11th of October 2022
These came out perfect!! I couldn’t find legs but I found turkey thighs and used those instead. I don’t even like turkey but cooking it this way is a game changer. They stayed moist (yup I said the m word) and the outside was super crispy. DELICIOUS!
staysnatched
Wednesday 12th of October 2022
Glad you enjoyed them!
Stuart K Goldman
Tuesday 4th of January 2022
I HAVE MADE THESE SEVERAL TIMES, IN MY KALORIC MAXX 26 QT AIR FRYER IT'S HUGE, TWO DOOR OPENING, ALLOWING LARGER QUANTITY, EASIER CLEANING, BUT LET'S GET TO THE GOOD STUFF, THE LEGS WERE AWESOME! I ADDED SOME WARM BRUSH ON BUTTER, SALTED, TO MAKE THEN CRISPIER! I'M GOING TO TRY THE SMOTHERED LEGS AND WINGS, SEPARATELY. AND THE ASIR FRYER WINGS, THE SAME WAY I ENJOYED THE LEGS! YUMMY! I USUALLY PLAY WITH MY SPICES, WITH PREPARED AND SOMETHING NEW! I LOVE YOUR RECIPES! AND TELL MY FRIENDS, THE JUST GO ONLINE AND TYPE IN EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE4 COOKING, ANY THEY GET MANY TIPS AND YOURS HAVE PROVEN EXCELLENT! THANK YOU STU
staysnatched
Tuesday 4th of January 2022
That sounds so good!
PJ
Thursday 25th of November 2021
I want to give it 6 stars! I don’t like regular turkey too much, but decided to do turkey legs for thanksgiving instead… best decision! I only made two, my air fryer was a little too small for them to fit perfectly like hers, but it still worked out fine. So crisp and still juicy. Tastes similar to fried turkey. It’s just so good,.
staysnatched
Friday 26th of November 2021
Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed it.
Adairea Morris
Wednesday 13th of October 2021
I was craving a Stare Fair turkey leg and immediately thought about this Air Fryer turkey leg. First thing first I love how easy this website is for me to search what I’m looking for!! I used the creole seasoning option and it came out so delicious! I thought the air fryer would dry it out but nope it was still juicy and seasoned good! Following the cook instructions are crucial when it comes to air fryer recipes! Definitely will be making again! 10/10
staysnatched
Thursday 14th of October 2021
I'm so glad you enjoyed these
Perris
Monday 13th of September 2021
I absolutely love this recipe! It was so easy to follow as her recipes always are. You can use this as a base and change up the seasoning as well. I used this as part of my meal planning this weekend. I need to get a new Air Fryer though because I could only cook 2 at a time. But again, thank you!!
staysnatched
Thursday 16th of September 2021
Great! Such an easy one to switch up!