Air-Fryer Turkey Legs with Cranberry Sauce Recipe
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.
- 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
