I’ve been air frying since 2016, before most people even knew what an air fryer was, and let me tell you...turkey legs in the air fryer are next level. I've been in my kitchen for nearly a decade testing everything I could fit inside my air fryer. So you know I'm coming correct with this recipe: juicy meat and crispy skin all day!
Pair these with my Turkey Graving From Drippings or Yellow Gravy Without Drippings recipes.
Air Fryer Turkey Leg Ingredients
- Turkey Legs: Some standard grocers will keep brands like Butterball and Jenni-O on hand year-round. Major supermarkets carry turkey legs, especially around holidays like Thanksgiving. Check the poultry section, and they might have fresh or frozen options.
- Olive Oil
- Creole Seasoning: You can swap this using a chicken or poultry rub.
- Smoked Paprika
- Salt and Pepper
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.
- Prep the turkey legs. Pat the turkey legs dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning stick and keeps the skin from steaming. Rub each leg all over with olive oil.
- Season generously. Mix together Creole seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the blend over the turkey legs, coating every side. Don’t be shy here, big cuts of meat need plenty of seasoning to shine.
- Air fry the turkey legs. Arrange the legs in the basket in a single layer, leaving space so the hot air can circulate. Cook, flipping halfway through, until the skin is golden brown and the meat reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
- Rest before serving. Remove the legs from the air fryer and let them rest for about 5–10 minutes. This step locks in the juices so every bite is tender and flavorful.
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Air Fryer Turkey Legs
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Ingredients
- 2-3 pounds turkey legs Mine weighed about ¾ 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.
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Frequently Asked Questions and Recipe Pro Tips
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.
Cooked turkey legs can be stored in the fridge tightly covered for 3-4 days.
I use 370 degrees.
Cook the drumsticks for about 35 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
Turkey legs are done when the meat is juicy, tender, and the skin is crisped up just the way you like it. The best way to know for sure is with a meat thermometer, slide it into the thickest part of the leg (but not touching the bone). You’re looking for an internal temp of 165°F.
The juices should run clear, not pink, and the meat should pull away from the bone pretty easily. If the skin isn’t as crispy as you want, just pop them back in the air fryer for a few extra minutes.
If you want juicy turkey legs out of the air fryer, the key is locking in moisture and not overcooking them. A little olive oil or butter goes a long way, rub it all over with your seasoning so the meat stays tender while the skin gets golden and crisp. See my notes above for how long to cook them.
Allow the turkey legs to rest for 10-15 minutes before digging in. This allows the inside juices to settle into the meat and make it juicy. If you slice in too quickly, the juices will ooze out.
You can expect skin that’s golden and crisp, like it’s been roasted, and meat that’s juicy and tender when cooked to the right temperature. The outside gets that nice crunch when you bite in, but the inside should still be moist and pull easily from the bone.
If you are looking for wings that fall off the bone, try my Slow Cooker Turkey Legs, Baked Turkey Legs, or Smothered Turkey Wings recipes.
Check out my Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe.
Reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees until crispy and warm.
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.
Recipe Variations and More Ways to Season Turkey Legs
- Homemade BBQ Seasoning and Rub
- Homemade Blackened Seasoning
- Homemade Ranch Seasoning
- Cajun Seasoning
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning
What to Pair with the Dish
If you are looking for a state fair feel to your turkey legs, then pair them with some fun sides like Air Fryer French Fries, Roasted Ranch Potatoes, and Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries.
If you are enjoying these for a holiday meal, I recommend classic side dishes like Southern Mac and Cheese, Chicken and Dressing, and Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar.
More Turkey Recipes
Baked Turkey Wings
Smoked Turkey Legs
Grilled Turkey Legs
Traeger Smoked Turkey
Air Fryer Turkey Wings
Cajun Spiced Roasted Turkey
Check out a full list of Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes here.
Watch step by step instructions on how to make this recipe on Youtube.
Tammy T says
I air fried some turkey legs and wings with above recipe option 2 seasoning the only thing I changed in the seasoning was that I replaced ground oregano with dried crushed rosemary. Then I put them in the refrigerator over night after air frying them night before and then placed in them in the crockpot the next morning and made smothered turkey wings and legs and it was sooo good. Thanks for the recipe of air fryer turkey wings and legs.
staysnatched says
Awesome! I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Perris says
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 says
Great! Such an easy one to switch up!
Adairea Morris says
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 says
I'm so glad you enjoyed these
PJ says
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 says
Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed it.
Stuart K Goldman says
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 says
That sounds so good!
Sabrina G says
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 says
Glad you enjoyed them!