Introduction

Enjoy tender, flavorful turkey legs with a crispy, spiced skin made effortlessly in the air fryer. This recipe pairs savory seasoning with a tangy homemade cranberry sauce, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

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

Ingredients

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
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, mix the brown sugar, poultry seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika to create the spice rub.
Step 2: Pat the turkey legs very dry with paper towels. Rub each leg thoroughly with the spice mixture until fully coated, then place them back on the baking sheet. Refrigerate uncovered for 4 hours or overnight. Remove from the fridge 30 to 60 minutes before cooking.
Step 3: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Brush each turkey leg with vegetable oil and arrange them in the air-fryer basket. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
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, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, stir in orange zest, and let infuse for 5 minutes. Adjust salt to taste.
Step 5: Serve the turkey legs hot with the warm cranberry sauce on the side for dipping.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispy skin, make sure to thoroughly dry the turkey legs before applying the spice rub.
Adjust the poultry seasoning mix to your preference by adding cayenne for some heat or dried herbs like rosemary for a different flavor profile.
If your air fryer basket isn’t large enough, cook the turkey legs in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
The cranberry sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days to save time on cooking day.

Storage

Store cooked turkey legs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the air fryer at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes to restore crispiness. The cranberry sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 days and can be served cold or warmed before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh turkey legs instead of frozen?

Yes, fresh turkey legs work well. Make sure they are fully thawed and pat them dry before seasoning to achieve the best texture and flavor.

What if I don’t have a poultry seasoning blend?

You can make a simple substitute by mixing dried sage, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, and black pepper in equal parts. Adjust quantities to taste for a homemade poultry seasoning.

Air-Fryer Turkey Legs with Cranberry Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 90 reviews

Crispy and flavorful air-fryer turkey legs rubbed with a blend of brown sugar and spices, paired with a tangy homemade cranberry sauce. This recipe delivers juicy meat with a perfectly crisp skin in under 30 minutes of cooking time, ideal for a quick yet impressive holiday or family meal.

Author: Lila
Prep Time: 10 minutes plus 4 hours (or overnight) marinating time
Cook Time: 20 to 25 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes (including marinating and resting time)
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Turkey Legs and Spice Rub

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 Spice Rub: Place a cooling rack on a rimmed baking sheet. In a medium bowl large enough to fit a turkey leg, stir together the dark brown sugar, poultry seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika to form the spice rub.
Season Turkey Legs: Pat the turkey legs very dry with paper towels. One at a time, rub each leg thoroughly with the spice mixture until completely coated. Place the seasoned legs on the baking sheet. Refrigerate uncovered for 4 hours or up to overnight to allow flavors to penetrate. Remove from fridge 30 to 60 minutes before cooking to come to room temperature.
Air-Fry Turkey Legs: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Brush each turkey leg with vegetable oil and arrange in the air-fryer basket, fitting up to 4 legs depending on size or cooking in two batches if necessary. Cook, flipping halfway through, for 20 to 25 minutes until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C), the juices run clear, and the skin is crispy and deeply browned. Transfer legs to a platter and rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Make Cranberry Sauce: While turkey cooks, combine the 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 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 additional salt if desired. The sauce can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored refrigerated.
Serve: Serve the rested turkey legs hot with the cranberry sauce on the side for dipping or spooning over the meat as desired.

Notes

Be sure to pat the turkey legs very dry before applying the rub to ensure crispy skin.
Allowing the seasoned turkey to rest uncovered in the fridge helps dry out the skin for better crisping during air frying.
Check the size capacity of your air fryer; cooking in batches may be necessary to avoid overcrowding.
Use a reliable instant-read thermometer to ensure turkey is fully cooked to a safe temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Cranberry sauce can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for convenience and enhanced flavor infusion.
For extra smoky flavor, smoked paprika is preferred, but regular paprika can be substituted if unavailable.

Keywords: air fryer turkey legs, crispy turkey legs, holiday turkey recipe, cranberry sauce, easy turkey recipe