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The air fryer is a great way to cook small turkey meat. This air fryer turkey leg is crispy on the outside, flavorful, tender, moist, and juicy to the bone. It is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter or any occasion.
This recipe is easy to make, combining simple spices and herbs to transform the meat into a truly irresistible dish.
Air fryer turkey leg recipe
You are in the right place if you are looking for the best air fryer turkey leg recipe. You don't have to worry about the turkey drying out or overcooking. The air fryer cooks food evenly and quickly, ensuring your turkey leg is perfectly cooked every time.
Cooking turkey drumsticks in an air fryer is an absolute breeze. The beauty of this is that you don't have to wait for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any special occasion to indulge in this deliciousness. You can enjoy it anytime you're craving some savory goodness.
Related recipes: air fryer boneless turkey breast and air fryer turkey steaks.
Why you will love this recipe
- Perfect turkey seasoning: I seasoned the turkey drumstick with lemon pepper seasoning, smoked paprika, onion and garlic powder, parsley, thyme and salt. These are pantry staple ingredients but incredibly flavorful and would work with any poultry.
- Great for feeding a small crowd: if a whole turkey is not an option, air fryer turkey leg is perfect to feed a small group. I cooked 2lb of a large turkey leg in my Cosori air fryer, and it was enough to feed a family of 4. You can cook up to 4 smaller portions in the air fryer depending on the size and shape of your air fryer basket.
- Air frying requires little oil, making it a healthier alternative to deep-frying or baking in the oven. The excess fat drips into the bottom of the air fryer basket while cooking, leaving you with perfectly moist meat.
- No need to brine before cooking. Like chicken drumstick, turkey leg is the dark meat of the turkey, so it is naturally juicy and flavorful. There is no need to brine in advance like you would for a whole turkey.
What you will need
You will need the following ingredients to make this straightforward air fryer turkey leg.
Turkey legs
Olive oil
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Lemon pepper seasoning
Thyme
Parsley
Thyme
Salt & pepper
How to cook air fryer turkey legs
Preheat the air fryer to 355F/180C for 5 minutes
To a small bowl, add smoked paprika, onion powder, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, parsley, thyme, salt, black pepper and olive oil and mix to combine (reserve about one tablespoon of the seasoning mix for later).
Pat the turkey leg dry with a kitchen paper towel.
Use your finger or the back of a spoon to loosen the skin on the turkey leg. Brush the seasoning mix on one side of the turkey drumstick, making sure to get some under the skin.
Spray or brush the preheated air fryer basket with cooking oil.
Carefully place the seasoned side of the turkey in the air fryer basket.
Brush the remaining marinade on the turkey leg generously.
Air fry the turkey leg for 15 minutes at 355F/180C. After 15 minutes, flip, brush with the reserved marinade, and cook for another 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 320F/165F, and cook for 10 minutes on each side, basting the turkey with the air fryer basket dripping or until golden brown outside and the internal temperature registers 165F/74C.
Remove the turkey drumstick from the air fryer basket, cover closely with foil, and rest for 15 to 20 minutes.
Serve and enjoy!
Watch how to make it
How to serve
Turkey legs, large or small, can be served like you serve chicken drumsticks. You can serve smaller-sized turkey legs as it is while the larger ones can be carved and served. If serving this for Thanksgiving, these recipes will be perfect for the following.
Instant pot cranberry sauce
Homemade turkey gravy
Bacon wrapped Brussels sprout
Ricotta mashed potatoes
Gravy with no dripping
Beetroot and feta salad
Boursin mashed cauliflower
How to store
Leftovers can be stored for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. You can serve the leftover cold just as you would with chicken with your favorite salad or as a sandwich or wrap filling.
Reheat in the air fryer on low heat until warm through or in the microwave.
More turkey recipes
Air fryer turkey meatballs
Air fryer turkey steak
How to cook turkey steak on the stove
Turkey chili con carne
Instant pot turkey breast
Leftover turkey curry with coconut milk
Tips
- Adjust the cooking time accordingly if cooking a smaller turkey leg. Most smaller-sized ones will cook in 30-40 minutes at 355F/180C.
- Use any other seasoning mix of your choice.
- When time is not of the essence, marinate the turkey overnight for maximum flavor.
- Always use a meat thermometer to check your turkey's temperature for doneness. It can be cooked to a higher temperature of 170F to 76C so that the meat closer to the bone can be thoroughly cooked.
Air Fryer Turkey Leg Recipe
Ajoke
The air fryer is a great way to cook small turkey meat. This air fryer turkey leg is crispy on the outside, flavorful, tender, moist, and juicy to the bone. It is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter or any occasion. This recipe is easy to make, combining simple spices and herbs to transform the meat into a truly irresistible dish.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 50 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Thanksgiving
Cuisine American, British
Servings 4
Calories 355 kcal
Ingredients
- 2 lb Turkey legs
- 2½ tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon parsley
- Salt & pepper to taste black pepper is optional
Instructions
Preheat the air fryer to 355F/180C for 5 minutes
To a small bowl, add smoked paprika, onion powder, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, parsley, thyme, salt, black pepper and olive oil and mix to combine (reserve about one tablespoon of the seasoning mix for later).
Pat the turkey leg dry with a kitchen paper towel.
Use your finger or the back of a spoon to loosen the skin on the turkey leg. Brush the seasoning mix on one side of the turkey drumstick, making sure to get some under the skin.
Spray or brush the preheated air fryer basket with cooking oil.
Carefully place the seasoned side of the turkey in the air fryer basket.
Brush the remaining marinade on the turkey leg generously.
Air fry the turkey leg for 15 minutes at 355F/180C. After 15 minutes, flip, brush with the reserved marinade, and cook for another 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 320F/165F, and cook for 10 minutes on each side, basting the turkey with the air fryer basket dripping or until golden brown outside and the internal temperature registers 165F/74C.
Remove the turkey from the air fryer basket, cover closely with foil, and rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Tips
Adjust the cooking time accordingly if cooking a smaller turkey leg. Most smaller-sized ones will cook in 30-40 minutes at 355F/180C.
Use any other seasoning mix of your choice.
When time is not of the essence, marinate the turkey overnight for maximum flavor.
Always use a meat thermometer to check your turkey's temperature for doneness. It can be cooked to a higher temperature of 170F to 76C so that the meat closer to the bone can be thoroughly cooked.
Nutrition
Calories: 355kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 37gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 134mgSodium: 140mgPotassium: 540mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 0.04gVitamin A: 24IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 3mg
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circ*mstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
Keyword air fryer turkey leg, air fryer turkey legs, turkey leg
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And there you have it, a simple and delicious air fryer Thanksgiving recipe you can make at home in 10 minutes. As always, if you made this recipe, I would love to hear from you! Kindly rate the recipe 5 stars and leave me feedback in the comment section below. Tag me @thedinnerbite onInstagramand save it to yourPinterest. Pleasesubscribeto the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox.
About Ajoke
Hello, Nice to meet you! Welcome and thanks for visiting my food blog "The Dinner Bite". Feel free to browse through, you are guaranteed nothing here but a yummy experience
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