These perfectly roasted air fryer turkey legs are mouthwatering and crispy on the outside with tender juicy meat and almost slide off the bone.
Turkey legs are especially great for air frying, as the skin gets crisp while the meat stays juicy. The air fryer cooks turkey legs faster than traditional methods, making them a great option for busy weeknights. Try Air fryer Turkey Breast too.
While my kids love turkey breast, I enjoy turkey legs at our Thanksgiving feast. I feel they are incredibly flavorful. The dark meat is rich and juicy, and the skin is crispy and delicious. I love to cook turkey legs in the air fryer regardless of the holidays, they are relatively inexpensive, making them a great option for our weeknight dinners.
Does Brining Turkey Legs Really Make a Difference?
From personal experience, I find that brining my turkey legs before cooking gives me the best results. Brining is letting the turkey meat sit in salty water (1 tablespoon of salt for every 2 cups of water) for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
This simple sugar and salt brine with a bit of lemon juice is the secret to ensuring turkey legs cook up tender. After brining, rinse turkey legs slightly, pat them dry with paper towels, coat them with the mixture of oil, herbs, and spices, and roast them in the Air fryer until crispy skin and the interior cooked through.
How long should I brine the turkey legs?
I suggest a minimum of 2 hours. Best overnight (10-12 hours). The next morning rub your turkey with oil, seasoning, and herbs, and let absorb for at least an hour.
Ingredients
- 2 Turley legs
- 2 Tablespoons Olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dry rosemary
Turkey Brine
- 6 cups water
- 2 Tablespoon Kosher salt
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- Juice of 1 lemon. Plus dump the squeezed lemon into the brine
- ½ raw onion
- 2 Bay leaf
- 1 spring fresh rosemary
- 4 springs of fresh thyme
How to Make the Juiciest Air Fryer Turkey Legs
- In a large pot, add water, salt, sugar, and stir until completely dissolved. Add lemon juice, plus dump the lemon. Add onion, bay leaf, rosemary and thyme. Add turkey legs, ensuring they are completely submerged in water. Cover and put in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or best overnight.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380F/195C.
- Drain and discard the brine.
- Pat turkey legs dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl combine oil and seasoning blend for the turkey rub.
Using your hands or a food-basting brush, brush the oil and seasoning mix all over the turkey legs, rubbing under the skin, if possible. - Place seasoned legs directly onto an air fryer basket or tray.
- Cook for 30 minutes, flipping halfway. That is 15 minutes per side.
- Note: If your turkey legs are extra large, they may require more cooking time. After 30 minutes cover them with foil (to prevent skin burning) and cook for an extra 10-15 minutes. Until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Tips for the Juciest Air Fryer Turkey Legs
- Make sure your turkey legs are thawed completely before air frying. This will help ensure that they cook evenly.
- Season the turkey legs generously with salt, pepper, and other herbs or spices of your choice. This will help to give them flavor.
- Cook the turkey legs on a wire rack inside the air fryer so that they brown evenly. This will also help to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the air fryer.
- Monitor the turkey legs closely as they cook, as air fryers can vary in how quickly they cook food. Check them frequently so that they don't overcook.
- Use the meat thermometer and check when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Great Sides for Turkey
Air Fryer Turkey Legs Recipe - Brined, Roasted, Crispy and Juicy Tender
These perfectly roasted air fryer turkey legs are mouthwatering and crispy on the outside with tender juicy meat and almost slide off the bone.
Turkey legs are especially great for air frying, as the skin gets crisp while the meat stays juicy. The air fryer cooks turkey legs faster than traditional methods, making them a great option for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 2 turkey legs. You can cook 4 or more. Just double the ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ Teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dry rosemary
- Brine:
- 6 cups water
- 2 Tablespoon Kosher salt
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- Juice of 1 lemon. Plus dump the squeezed lemon into the brine
- ½ raw onion
- 2 Bay leaf
- 1 spring fresh rosemary
- 4 springs fresh thyme
Instructions
- In a large pot, add water, salt, sugar, and stir until completely dissolved. Add lemon juice, plus dump the lemon. Add onion, bay leaf, rosemary and thyme. Add turkey legs, ensuring they are completely submerged in water. Cover and put in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or best overnight.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380F/195C.
- Drain and discard the brine.
- Pat turkey legs dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl combine oil and seasoning blend for the turkey rub.
- Using your hands or a food-basting brush, brush the oil and seasoning mix all over the turkey legs, rubbing under the skin, if possible.
- Place turkey legs directly onto an air fryer rack, basket, or tray.
- Cook for 30 minutes, flipping halfway. That is 15 minutes per side.
- Note: If your turkey legs are extra large, they may require more cooking time. After 30 minutes cover them with foil (to prevent skin burning) and cook for an extra 10-15 minutes. Until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Notes
Turkey legs recipe made using Cuisinart Air fryer oven.
Kimberly
I use this same air fryer oven. Did you do these on the top or bottom position? Thanks!
Irina
Hello my fellow Cuisinart air fryer user. I used the bottom position. Air fryer basket was put inside the drip tray. Worked out great. Good luck. Let me know how your recipe comes out.
Kimberly
I thought so, due to the size of turkey legs. Will def let you know. Thanks!