How to Cook Turkey Legs in Air Fryer?

These flawlessly roasted air fryer turkey legs are crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and almost fall off the bone. We all know that the black meat of turkey legs is a little tougher than chicken. The brining method (soaking turkey legs in salty, lemony water for many hours or overnight) helps the turkey absorb extra moisture, which helps it stay juicy. The secret to soft turkey legs is a sugar and salt brine with a splash of lemon juice.

After bringing the turkey legs, rinse them briefly, pat them dry with paper towels, coat them with the oil and spices combination, and roast them in the Air fryer until the exterior is crispy and the interior is cooked through. Cooking time varies depending on the size of your turkey legs but typically needs 35-50 minutes, and that’s much quicker than roasting the entire turkey!Turkey Legs in Air Fryer

How to Cook Turkey Legs in Air Fryer?

Rub seasoned butter rub all over the bird. In the air fryer basket, place the turkey legs. Cook for about 27 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. That’s it! I adore cooking turkey legs in the air fryer because it’s so simple, quick, and delicious.

Make Air Fryer Turkey Legs for a quick, easy meal! Are you stuck for supper ideas? Air Fryer Turkey Legs are exactly what you need to break up your dinner rut. They’re flavorful, simple to prepare, and don’t take long to cook.

Plus, air-fried turkey legs pair well with a variety of dishes. Make air fryer turkey legs a complete supper by serving them with any of these sides, and everyone will be happy and full.

Ingredients

  • Two turkey thighs four or more people can be fed. Brine: Double the ingredients
  • 6 quarts of water
  • 2 tsp. salt (kosher)
  • Two teaspoons of sugar
  • Two teaspoons of baking soda
  • One lemon juice. Add the squeezed lemon to the brine as well.
  • 1/2 onion, raw
  • 2 Bay leaf
  • One rosemary, fresh from the spring
  • Four fresh thyme sprigs
  • Two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • One tablespoon salt (or to taste)
  • a quarter teaspoon of black pepper
  • garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon
  • 1/2 teaspoon powdered onion
  • 1/2 teaspoon rosemary, dried

Instructions

  1. Add water, salt, sugar, and baking soda to a large pot and whisk until completely dissolved. Add the lemon juice and discard the lemon. Combine the onion, bay leaf, rosemary, and thyme in a large mixing bowl. Place the turkey legs in the water, ensuring they are thoroughly submerged. Cover and chill for at least 2-4
  2. hours, or better yet, overnight. See the illustration.
  3. Combine the oil and seasoning blend for the dry rub in a small bowl.
  4. The brine should be drained and discarded.
  5. Using paper towels, pat dries the turkey legs.
  6. Brush the oil and spice mix over the turkey legs using a silicone basting brush, rubbing beneath the skin. Allow for at least 1 hour of marinating time.
  7. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  8. Reduce the temperature to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and place the turkey legs in an air fryer basket or tray.
  9. Air fry for 30 minutes at 380°F, flipping halfway through. Each side will take 15 minutes.

How Long do Turkey Legs Take to Cook in an Airfryer?

Cooking turkey legs in the air fryer takes roughly 40 minutes. Cooking time will vary based on your air fryer and the number of turkey legs it can hold at once. A quick thermometer is the best way to check. When done, the internal temperature should be 165°F. Cook and flip the turkey in the air fryer basket, skin side down. Cook for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Depending on the size of your turkey, flip it and cook for another 10-15 minutes. Cook until a thermometer registers 165°F. Frozen turkey thighs can be cooked in an air fryer.

Start seasoning your turkey pieces and preheating your air fryer to 370F for 5 minutes. Cook for 15 minutes before flipping the seasoned turkey slices in the unit. Cook for 15 minutes or until a digital meat thermometer registers 165F-180F.In a roasting pan, arrange the turkey legs. Roast for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, uncovered, until golden brown and an internal temperature of 180 degrees F (82 degrees C) is reached using a meat thermometer.

Is it Possible to Use Aluminum Foil in an Air Fryer?

Yes, you can use aluminum foil in an air fryer if you do so correctly and avoid covering critical parts of your machine, which could result in uneven cooking and even damage. Make careful to use just enough to cover the bottom of your basket or to wrap your food in it.No, and you should not use baking paper or tin foil in your Philips Airfryer for the following reasons: The airflow inside the air fryer is limited if the bottom of the basket is covered. As a result, your Philips Airfryer’s cooking performance suffers.

Wet battered foods should not be cooked in the air fryer. Food with a wet batter, such as corndogs or tempura shrimp, should also be avoided in air fryers. Lining your air fryer basket with a round of parchment paper is a great way to keep it squeaky clean while also cutting down on cleanup time. Making air fryer chicken drumsticks has never been easier!

How Long do you Cook Fully Cooked Turkey Legs?

The USDA’s recommendation is to preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Reheating pre-smoked cooked turkey will take roughly 6 to 8 minutes per pound. Fill a baking pan or dish halfway with a little water or broth. The number of legs you have determines the amount! Bake for 30 minutes with the legs covered in aluminum foil. Bake for two hours until the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees, flipping the pan halfway through.

The weight of the bird and the temperature you choose in your oven dictate how long it takes to reheat a smoked turkey completely. At 250°F, a typical-sized bird takes four hours to rewarm completely. At 325 degrees, though, it will only take around 2.5 hours. Wrap the turkey legs with aluminum foil that is large enough to wrap around them. Drizzle a little water or chicken broth over the legs, then carefully wrap the foil around them. Place on a baking sheet or in an oven-safe dish and bake for 20 minutes. Bake for 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

What Temperature Should you Boil a Turkey Leg to?

Bring the liquid to a rolling boil, then lower it to a low, non-splashing boil. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest meat section after an hour. When the internal temperature of the turkey legs hits 180°F (82°C), they are done. While some recipes recommend cooking the turkey at 180 degrees Fahrenheit, the meat is safe to eat once it hits 165 degrees. Dry meat can come from cooking the breasts past 165 degrees; however, dark meat can be cooked to 180 degrees. The interior temperature should be 180 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don’t have a thermometer, puncture the thigh and look at the fluids:

If the juices run clear, it’s done; if the juices are reddish colored, it requires extra time. Bring the smoked turkey and the chicken stock to a boil in a large stockpot. Once the meat has a boil, reduce to low heat and cook until it falls from the bone, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Dry the turkey legs with paper towels. Combine the Coke, sugar, spicy sauce, red pepper flakes, and black pepper in a big pot. Add the turkey legs and bring to a gentle boil. Cook for about 30 minutes over medium heat or until the turkey legs reach an internal temperature of 165 F/74 C.

Are Turkey Legs Healthy?

Turkey’s legs are high in protein, containing 28 grams per leg. The Institutes of Medicine recommends that women consume 46 grams of protein daily and men consume 56 grams. The chicken leg has 13% more calories than turkey, with 214 calories per 100 grams versus 189 calories for turkey. Regarding macronutrient ratios, the chicken leg is lower in protein, higher in fat, and similar in carbohydrates to turkey.

Turkey is a lean protein since it provides over 20 grams of protein per serving for a tiny amount of fat, regardless of the cut. Turkey meat is also high in potassium, selenium, and various B vitamins, including niacin (Vitamin B3). Both ground beef and turkey are healthy foods high in protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Turkey has a lower saturated fat content than beef, and as a result, it could be a healthier option for your heart. Fat-free turkey is also the lowest-calorie option if you’re trying to lose weight.

Conclusion

Turkey and chicken are excellent protein sources and can be excellent diet foods. While chicken and turkey’s protein and calorie content are nearly identical, turkey is somewhat healthier for your diet. Turkey is leaner and lower in calories than chicken, and Turkey is a good, healthy option to include in your dinner rotation. Turkey is a delicious meat that can be used in place of chicken in most recipes.

Instead of chicken stir fry, try turkey stir fry or a turkey sandwich instead of a chicken sandwich. Note: When cooking a turkey, avoid overcooking it. When cooking a turkey, the chance of dryness is higher than when cooking chicken. If you use a meat thermometer and follow this air fryer turkey recipe, there should be no difficulty.