I love making air fryer turkey legs when I want a meal that feels indulgent but is still simple and high in protein. They're perfect for busy weeknights or even for your Thanksgiving table.
We're first coating the turkey drumsticks with a flavorful yet simple turkey rub and then brushing it with an optional tangy BBQ sauce right before serving.
You'll love this easy recipe because the skin comes out crispy and golden, while the meat stays juicy and flavorful. It's a healthier twist on roasted turkey that saves time, works with a Cosori air fryer or any model, and pairs perfectly with BBQ flavors.
Turkey legs are a great alternative to a whole bird when you want a quick weeknight dinner with minimal effort than cooks in less time than a whole roasted turkey!
Things to Know Before Air Frying Turkey Drumsticks
- For extra-crispy skin: Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels before seasoning.
- Rub options: You can use our homemade rub in this recipe or swap for your favorite store-bought blend.
- Extra flavor: Brush with a little honey in the last 2 minutes for a sweet BBQ finish.
- Turkey thighs cook for about the same amount of time, why not make them both at the same time?
How long do you cook turkey legs in the air fryer?
| Turkey Leg Size | Temperature | Cook Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (8–10 oz) | 400°F | 30–35 min | Flip halfway, cook to 165°F minimum |
| Medium (10–14 oz) | 400°F | 35–40 min | Dark meat is best at 175–180°F |
| Large (14 oz+) | 400°F | 40–45 min | Lower to 375–390°F if browning too fast |
| Frozen | 380–390°F | 50–60 min | Pat dry halfway, check with thermometer |
| Smoked (pre-cooked) | 375°F | 12–15 min | Just reheat until hot and skin crisps |
I've been testing and sharing easy air fryer recipes since 2018, and turkey legs are one of my go-to meals when I want big flavor with little effort. It's a fun variation to eating chicken drumsticks!
Try these other air fryer turkey recipes: Air Fryer Bone In Turkey Split Breast, Air Fryer Large Turkey Wings, or my Air Fryer Boneless Turkey Tenderloin.
Ingredients Overview
- Turkey drumsticks - giant turkey legs are often sold as a two pack around the holidays
- Olive oil: Helps the rub stick and promotes golden crispiness. You can use another type of high heat oil or even butter.
- Dry rub: Use our homemade turkey rub or a store-bought poultry rub.
When you have extra time, you can first marinate the turkey or brine the legs in advance.
How to Air Fry Turkey Drumsticks
Step 1: Make the rub
Combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, pepper, cayenne, rosemary, thyme, and sage in a small bowl. This recipe makes extra rub that you can store for months.
Step 2: Prep the drumsticks
Blot turkey legs dry with paper towels to reduce extra moisture. This helps make the drumsticks extra crispy! Place in a shallow bowl or plate.
Step 3: Season
Brush the turkey legs with olive oil, then sprinkle generously with rub on all sides.
Step 4: Preheat
Heat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Add the turkey legs to the air fryer, leaving space to let air circulate.
Step 5: Cook
Air fry the turkey legs at 400°F for 30-40 minutes, flipping halfway. Check that the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (up to 180°F) in the thickest part of the drumstick when checked with an instant-read thermometer.
Turkey legs are safe to eat at 165°F, but cooking them closer to 175-180°F helps break down the connective tissue in dark meat, making the legs more tender and flavorful.
Rest for 5-10 minutes to let the juices distribute before eating. Enjoy!
Getting extra crispy skin
- Pat the skin well dry before air frying
- Scoring under the skin to let rub penetrate the meat
- Spray oil on the legs halfway through cooking
- Using foil or adjusting final minutes if skin is browning too fast
- Avoid crowding basket
Substitutions and Variations
- You can use different seasonings like BBQ seasoning, lemon pepper, poultry seasoning, or Cajun seasoning instead of our rub recipe.
- Add a touch of honey or maple syrup in the last 2 minutes for sweetness.
- Swap the drumsticks for turkey thighs and adjust cooking time.
- Brush with BBQ sauce instead of oil for a saucier finish.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Turkey Drumsticks
These juicy turkey legs pair well with simple sides like air fryer potato wedges, roasted vegetables, or a crisp fresh salad. For holidays, serve them with air fryer stuffing or creamy mashed potatoes.
Storage and Freezing
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F until warmed through. Freeze cooked drumsticks for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
FAQs & Helpful Tips
How to reheat air fryer turkey legs?
Reheat at 350°F for 6-8 minutes until hot and crispy. We like to wrap them in foil so the BBQ sauce doesn't burn.
Can I air fry turkey legs and thighs at the same time?
Yes, but make sure they fit in a single layer and adjust the cooking time since thighs are often a little larger.
Do you cook turkey legs up or down?
Place them in a single layer starting with the thickest part of the meat face down, without stacking them. Flip halfway through for even crispiness.
Can you air fry turkey legs from frozen?
Yes, but they'll need longer. Cook at 380-390°F for about 50-60 minutes, checking the internal temperature before serving.
What about smoked turkey legs?
Smoked legs are already cooked, so you only need to reheat. Air fry at 375°F for 12-15 minutes until warmed through and the skin is crisp.
More Air Fryer Turkey Recipes
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Recipe
BBQ Turkey Legs In the Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 turkey drumsticks about 1 ⅓ lb total
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon rub seasoning mix use our recipe below or your favorite rub
Turkey Rub Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon ground onion powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoon fine sea salt
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon minced dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried sage
Instructions
- If you're using a store-bought poultry rub you can skip this step. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, rosemary, thyme, and sage in a small bowl. Mix the dry rub until the ingredients are well combined. This will make more rub than the recipe needs but you can store it for 6+ months and use it for other turkey recipes, chicken, or pork.
- Blot the turkey drumsticks dry with paper towels. Place them in a low bowl or plate.
- Brush the turkey legs with the olive oil and then generously sprinkle the turkey drumsticks with the rub on both sides of the turkey.
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 F.
- Place the turkey legs in the air fryer and cook them at 400 F for a total of 40 minutes, or until the internal meat thermometer registers at least 165 F (up to 180 F) when tested in the thickest part of the drumstick. Flip the drumsticks halfway through cooking.
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