Air Fryer Turkey Legs deliver impossibly crisp skin and succulent, juicy meat on the inside.

air fryer turkey legs on a cutting board.

Thanksgiving turkey is always a bit of a letdown to me. There’s too much white meat that ends up dry and bland. I always wish there could be more of the tender, flavorful dark meat. Air Fryer Turkey Legs are the answer!

A turkey leg easily feeds two people, so they’re great if you’re feeding a smaller group for Thanksgiving, or just want a change from weeknight chicken dinners. Turkey legs are easy to prepare, too, making them suitable for anytime meals.

Not only does the air fryer turn out the best, juiciest poultry in general, but using just the turkey drumsticks means you get all dark meat!

When I cook turkey legs in the air fryer, I like to use a simple dry rub, which adds flavor but keeps the skin nice and crisp. Loosen the skin and rub some of the seasoning mixture underneath it, too, to make sure the flavors really permeate the meat.

Low angle shot of a couple of turkey legs on a cutting board.

Ingredients you need

For the complete list of ingredients with quantities and detailed prep and cooking instructions, please see the recipe card that appears at the end of this post.

To make this turkey leg recipe, you only need a few ingredients. Here’s the list:

Seasonings: I use a mixture of chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
Turkey legs: You’ll find turkey legs or turkey drumsticks in packs of two in most supermarket meat sections or ask for them from your butcher.
Oil for spraying: Use a straight oil, not one with an accelerant, for spritzing your turkey legs (accelerants will erode the nonstick surface of your air fryer basket). I like to use this Oil Spritzer.

How to cook turkey legs in the air fryer

For the complete list of ingredients with quantities and detailed prep and cooking instructions, please see the recipe card that appears at the end of this post.

Cooking turkey legs in the air fryer is so easy! Here’s how:

Place the turkey legs in the air fryer basket and spray with oil. You might need to cook one turkey leg at a time depending on the size of either the legs or the air fryer basket.
Place the turkey legs in the air fryer basket and spray with oil. You might need to cook one turkey leg at a time depending on the size of either the legs or the air fryer basket.
Place the turkey legs in the air fryer basket and spray with oil. You might need to cook one turkey leg at a time depending on the size of either the legs or the air fryer basket.
Place the turkey legs in the air fryer basket and spray with oil. You might need to cook one turkey leg at a time depending on the size of either the legs or the air fryer basket.
Place the turkey legs in the air fryer basket and spray with oil. You might need to cook one turkey leg at a time depending on the size of either the legs or the air fryer basket.
Cook until the internal temperature measures 165°F on a meat thermometer.

What to serve alongside

Turkey legs make a great family dinner and they’re also a perfect addition to your Thanksgiving table.

I like to serve these turkey legs with my Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce, Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic, Green Bean Salad with Crispy Fried Onions or Green Bean Stuffing Casserole, and Pommes Duchesse, Potatoes au Gratin, or Sweet Potato Casserole.

For dessert, Pumpkin Ice Cream with Apple Cider Donut Cake, Pumpkin Spiced Latte Cake, Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake, or sweet-spicy Ginger Snap Cookies is just perfect!

Low-angle shot of two golden brown air fryer roasted turkey drumsticks.

More Air Fryer Recipes you’ll love

I love to use my air fryer to cook everything from everyday dinners to special holiday meals. Some of my other favorite dishes include Air Fryer Korean Fried Chicken, Air Fryer Empanadas, and even Air Fryer Peanut Butter Cookies.

If you’re looking for more ways to incorporate your air fryer into your holiday meal prep, try Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, Air Fryer Artichokes, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips, Air Fryer Croutons, or this air fryer Pumpkin Spinach Salad.