How to Make Air Fryer Turkey Legs Recipe - Air Fryer Fanatics (2024)

FAQs

How long to cook turkey drummers in an air fryer? ›

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Whisk together olive oil, poultry seasoning, parsley, salt, paprika, and pepper in a small bowl until evenly combined. Brush 1/2 of oil mixture on all the sides of the turkey legs and place into the air fryer basket. Cook for 25 minutes.

By brining the legs for at least four hours or (even better) overnight, you'll get a lot of flavor inside the meat, and prevent the turkey legs from drying out. It also gives the salt time to start dissolving some of the muscle proteins in the turkey legs, meaning a more tender turkey for you!

So, if you want to cook a whole turkey in the Ninja Foodi and you want to do it in the 6.5 qt or even in the 8 qt, start looking NOW. A 10 pound turkey will fit in the 8 qt, but you most likely will not be able to use the TenderCrisp lid to crisp it up. My first choice would be an 8 pound turkey for the 8 qt for sure.

Once they have cooled, place leftover turkey legs in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat: To reheat them in the air fryer, set your air fryer to 350 degrees F and lightly spray or coat the basket with oil. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.

Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer tray or basket (I lined mine with parchment paper for easier clean up). Air fry at 400° for 20-30 minutes (or until you reach your desired crispiness), flipping halfway through. An instant read thermometer will register at least 165°F when they're done.

When you use an air fryer to roast, it will default to a higher temperature and cook for a shorter amount of time than it does while air frying.

The bottom line with both these appliances is that they're big, versatile, and incredibly useful. The air fryer is better overall, because it can cook two foods at once in much less time than the multicooker. However, if you'd prefer a slow cook and more of a range of functions, we loved the multicooker.

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

The great news about air fryers is that you can use foil along with parchment paper to cook your food in an air fryer. Just remember that if it's safe and effective to use in a conventional oven, it will work just fine in an air fryer.

Serve your juicy turkey legs with all your favorite side dishes: Mashed potatoes, green beans, roasted vegetables, stuffing, candied yams, mac and cheese. Also, don't forget the cranberry sauce! What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish to serve with turkey?

How to know when turkey legs are done? ›

Roast uncovered until the legs are golden brown and the internal temperature is 180 degrees F (82 degrees C) when taken with a meat thermometer, about 1 ½ to 2 hours. Add more water if needed while roasting, and baste occasionally with the juices or melted butter.

Airfry for 12 minutes at 180 degrees.

Cooking Guidelines

Place on a baking tray in an oven preheated to 200°C/180°C Fan/Gas Mark 6 and cook for approximately 18-20 minutes.

I poke them with a long sharp fork up in the knuckle of the drumstick (fat end). The juice should run clear, no red. To make sure my drummies, and thighs, are done I actually poke them again and when no juice flows they are done.