Air Fryer Turkey Leg Recipe
The air fryer is an excellent method to prepare small turkey meat. This air fryer turkey leg is crunchy on the exterior, savory, tender, damp, and succulent to the bone. It is ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any celebration.
This dish is simple to create, merging basic spices and herbs to convert the meat into an undeniably tempting delicacy.
Air fryer turkey leg recipe
You are in the correct spot if you’re on the lookout for the finest air fryer turkey leg recipe. You don’t need to be concerned about the turkey becoming dry or overcooked. The air fryer prepares food uniformly and swiftly, guaranteeing your turkey leg is cooked to perfection every single time.
Cooking turkey drumsticks in an air fryer is incredibly easy. The advantage of this is that you don’t have to wait for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any special event to enjoy this delicacy. You can savor it any time you have a craving for something savory.
Related recipes: air fryer boneless turkey breast and air fryer turkey steaks.
Why you will adore this recipe
- Ideal turkey seasoning: I seasoned the turkey drumstick with lemon pepper seasoning, smoked paprika, onion and garlic powder, parsley, thyme, and salt. These are staple ingredients but immensely flavorful and would pair excellently with any type of poultry.
- Perfect for serving a small gathering: if a whole turkey isn’t feasible, air fryer turkey leg is suitable for feeding a small group. I prepared a 2lb sizable turkey leg in my Cosori air fryer, and it was ample to nourish a family of 4. You can cook up to 4 smaller portions in the air fryer depending on the dimensions and shape of your air fryer basket.
- Air frying needs minimal oil, making it a healthier alternative to deep-frying or baking in the oven. The extra fat drips into the bottom of the air fryer basket during cooking, leaving you with perfectly succulent meat.
- No need to brine before cooking. Like chicken drumsticks, turkey legs are the dark meat of the turkey, so they are inherently juicy and flavorful. There’s no requirement to brine in advance like you would for a whole turkey.
What you will require
You will need the subsequent ingredients to create this straightforward air fryer turkey leg.
Turkey legs
Olive oil
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Lemon pepper seasoning
Thyme
Parsley
Thyme
Salt & pepper
How to prepare air fryer turkey legs
Preheat the air fryer to 355F/180C for 5 minutes.
In a small bowl, add smoked paprika, onion powder, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, parsley, thyme, salt, black pepper, and olive oil, and blend to combine (set aside about one tablespoon of the seasoning mix for later).
Dab the turkey leg dry with a kitchen paper towel.
Use your finger or the back of a spoon to separate the skin on the turkey leg. Brush the seasoning mix onto one side of the turkey drumstick, ensuring some gets under the skin.
Spray or brush the preheated air fryer basket with cooking oil.
Gently place the seasoned side of the turkey into the air fryer basket.
Generously brush the remaining marinade onto the turkey leg.
Air fry the turkey leg for 15 minutes at 355F/180C. After 15 minutes, turn it over, apply the reserved marinade, and cook for an additional 15 minutes. Lower the heat to 320F/165F, and cook for 10 minutes on each side, basting the turkey with the air fryer basket drippings until golden brown on the outside and the internal temperature reaches 165F/74C.
Remove the turkey drumstick from the air fryer basket, cover tightly with foil, and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes.
Serve and relish!
Watch how to prepare it
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Suggestions
- Modify the cooking time accordingly if preparing a smaller turkey leg. Most smaller-sized ones will be ready in 30-40 minutes at 355F/180C.
- Utilize any other seasoning mix of your preference.
- When time permits, marinate the turkey overnight for maximum flavor.
- Always use a meat thermometer to verify your turkey’s temperature for doneness. It can be cooked to a higher temperature of 170F to 76C so that the meat near the bone can be adequately cooked.
Air Fryer Turkey Leg Recipe
The air fryer is an excellent method to prepare small turkey meat. This air fryer turkey leg is crunchy on the exterior, savory, tender, damp, and succulent to the bone. It is ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any celebration. This dish is simple to create, merging basic spices and herbs to convert the meat into an undeniably tempting delicacy.
dish.
- 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
Keep your screen from dimming
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Heat the air fryer to 355F/180C for 5 minutes
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In a small dish, incorporate smoked paprika, onion powder, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, parsley, thyme, salt, black pepper, and olive oil, mixing to blend (set aside approximately one tablespoon of the seasoning blend for later).
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Dry the turkey leg utilizing a paper towel.
-
Employ your finger or the backside of a spoon to separate the skin on the turkey leg. Apply the seasoning blend on one side of the turkey drumstick, ensuring some is underneath the skin.
-
Spray or apply oil to the preheated air fryer basket.
-
Gently position the seasoned side of the turkey within the air fryer basket.
-
Generously brush the remaining marinade onto the turkey leg.
-
Cook the turkey leg in the air fryer for 15 minutes at 355F/180C. Afterward, turn it over, brush with the reserved marinade, and continue cooking for another 15 minutes. Lower the temperature to 320F/165F, and cook for 10 minutes on each side, basting the turkey with the drippings from the air fryer basket, or until the exterior is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165F/74C.
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Take the turkey out of the air fryer basket, tightly cover it with foil, and let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve and savor!
Modify the cooking duration as needed if using a smaller turkey leg. Most smaller varieties will require 30-40 minutes at 355F/180C.
Feel free to utilize any other seasoning blend that you prefer.
If time allows, let the turkey marinate overnight for enhanced flavor.
Always utilize a meat thermometer to verify your turkey’s temperature for doneness. It can be cooked to a higher temperature of 170F to 76C so that the meat near the bone can be fully cooked.
Calories: 355kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 37gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 134mgSodium: 140mgPotassium: 540mgFiber: 0.4
gSweetener: 0.04gVitamin A: 24IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 3mg
Nutritional information: Please be aware that the nutrition label given is an approximation based on an online nutritional calculator. It may change depending on the exact ingredients and brands employed. Under no circumstances shall thedinnerbite.com be liable for any loss or harm arising from your dependence on this nutritional data.
And there you go, a straightforward and delightful air fryer Thanksgiving dish that you can prepare at home in just 10 minutes. As always, I would love to hear your feedback if you tried this recipe! Please rate it 5 stars and share your thoughts in the comments section below. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save it to your Pinterest. Make sure to subscribe to the blog for free new recipes delivered to your inbox if you haven’t done so yet.
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