Introduction

Air-fryer turkey legs offer a simple way to enjoy juicy, flavorful poultry with crispy skin in less time than traditional roasting. This recipe combines a savory spice rub with a sweet and tangy cranberry sauce, making it perfect for a comforting meal any time of year.

Air-Fryer Turkey Legs with Cranberry Sauce Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar (for spice rub)
4 teaspoons finely ground poultry seasoning (such as Spice Islands)
1 tablespoon kosher salt or 1/2 tablespoon fine salt (for spice rub)
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
4 turkey legs
2 to 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 (14-ounce) can whole-berry cranberry sauce
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar (for cranberry sauce)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 large thyme sprig
1 medium orange, zested and juiced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or 1/4 teaspoon fine salt (for cranberry sauce)

Instructions

Step 1: Place a cooling rack on a rimmed baking sheet. In a medium bowl large enough to fit a turkey leg, stir together the brown sugar, poultry seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika to make the spice rub.
Step 2: Pat the turkey legs dry with paper towels on the prepared baking sheet. One at a time, rub each leg thoroughly with the spice mix until fully coated. Place them back on the sheet. Refrigerate uncovered for 4 hours or up to overnight. Remove the legs 30 to 60 minutes before air frying.
Step 3: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Brush each turkey leg with vegetable oil and arrange them in the air-fryer basket. Depending on your air fryer size, you may cook all four legs at once or in two batches. Cook, flipping halfway, for 20 to 25 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F, the juices run clear, and the skin is crispy and burnished. Let rest on a platter for 10 minutes.
Step 4: Meanwhile, prepare the cranberry sauce if desired. In a medium saucepan, combine canned cranberry sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, thyme sprig, orange juice, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat while stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in orange zest, and let infuse for 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning with extra salt if needed. The sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated.
Step 5: Serve the turkey legs hot with cranberry sauce for dipping if you like.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, marinate the turkey legs overnight with the spice rub. This enhances the seasoning and tenderizes the meat.
If you prefer a spicier rub, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice mix.
Swap vegetable oil for olive oil or avocado oil for a different flavor and healthier fat options.
Try fresh cranberries cooked down for a fresher, less sweet sauce instead of canned.

Storage

Store leftover turkey legs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer or oven at 350°F until warmed through to retain crispiness. Cranberry sauce keeps well refrigerated for up to 2 days and can be served cold or warmed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen turkey legs for this recipe?

Yes, but make sure to fully thaw the turkey legs before seasoning and air frying to ensure even cooking and food safety.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can roast the turkey legs in a conventional oven at 375°F for about 45-60 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F and have crispy skin.

Air-Fryer Turkey Legs with Cranberry Sauce Recipe

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These Air-Fryer Turkey Legs offer a flavorful and crispy alternative to traditional roasting. Seasoned with a savory blend of brown sugar, poultry seasoning, garlic, and smoked paprika, the turkey legs develop a deeply burnished and crispy skin when cooked in the air fryer. Served with a zesty homemade cranberry sauce infused with orange and thyme, this recipe is perfect for a quick yet festive meal that locks in juiciness and bold flavors.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 10 minutes plus 4 hours to overnight for marinating
Cook Time: 20 to 25 minutes per batch
Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes to overnight plus 25 minutes
Yield: 4 turkey legs (serves approximately 4) 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Turkey Legs and Seasoning

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
4 teaspoons finely ground poultry seasoning (such as Spice Islands)
1 tablespoon kosher salt or 1/2 tablespoon fine salt
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
4 turkey legs
2 to 4 tablespoons vegetable oil

Cranberry Sauce

1 (14-ounce) can whole-berry cranberry sauce
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 large thyme sprig
1 medium orange, zested and juiced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

Instructions

Prepare the spice rub and turkey legs: Place a cooling rack on a rimmed baking sheet. In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, poultry seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Pat turkey legs dry and rub each one thoroughly with the spice mixture until fully coated. Arrange them on the baking sheet and refrigerate uncovered for 4 hours or overnight. Remove from fridge 30 to 60 minutes before cooking to bring closer to room temperature.
Preheat and oil the turkey legs: Heat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Brush each turkey leg with vegetable oil to ensure a crisp skin during cooking.
Cook the turkey legs in the air fryer: Place the oiled turkey legs in the air-fryer basket in a single layer; cook in batches if needed. Air fry for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check doneness using an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the leg; it should read 165°F (74°C). The skin will be deeply burnished and crispy. Transfer the legs to a platter and rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Make the cranberry sauce: While the turkey cooks, combine canned cranberry sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, thyme sprig, orange juice, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in orange zest, and let the sauce infuse for 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning with extra salt if needed. The sauce can be prepared up to two days in advance and refrigerated.
Serve: Plate the rested turkey legs and serve with the warm cranberry sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

Patting the turkey legs very dry before seasoning helps the rub stick and the skin crisp better in the air fryer.
If your air fryer basket can’t fit all four legs at once, cook them in two batches to ensure even crisping.
Allowing the turkey legs to rest after cooking locks in the juices, making the meat more tender and flavorful.
The cranberry sauce can be made ahead and stored refrigerated for up to 2 days, making meal prep easier.
Adjust the salt in the seasoning and sauce to suit your taste, especially if using different salt types.

Keywords: air fryer turkey legs, crispy turkey legs, air-fried turkey, cranberry sauce, poultry seasoning, holiday turkey, quick turkey recipe