Introduction

Air-fryer turkey legs offer a quick and delicious way to enjoy tender, crispy poultry with minimal effort. This recipe combines a flavorful spice rub with a tangy cranberry sauce to create a perfect balance of savory and sweet. Whether for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, these turkey legs will impress.

Air-Fryer Turkey Legs with Cranberry Orange 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
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

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.
Step 2: Pat the turkey legs very dry with paper towels. Season each leg thoroughly with the spice rub, rubbing it in until fully coated. Place the seasoned legs back on the baking sheet. Refrigerate uncovered for 4 hours or up to overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 to 60 minutes before air frying.
Step 3: Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush each turkey leg with vegetable oil. Place the legs in the air-fryer basket; cook in batches if they don’t all fit comfortably. Air fry, flipping halfway through, for 20 to 25 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165 degrees and the skin is crispy and deep brown. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Step 4: While the turkey cooks, prepare the cranberry sauce: Combine 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 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, stir in orange zest, and let infuse for 5 minutes. Adjust salt to taste. You can make this sauce up to 2 days ahead and store it covered in the fridge.
Step 5: Serve the air-fried turkey legs with the cranberry sauce on the side for dipping, if desired.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, marinate the turkey legs with the spice rub overnight. This deepens the seasoning.
Use smoked paprika for a subtle smoky flavor, or swap with regular paprika for a milder taste.
If you don’t have an air fryer, these turkey legs can be roasted in the oven at 400°F for about 40-50 minutes, turning once.
Try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice rub for a touch of heat.
The cranberry sauce can be served warm or cold depending on preference.

Storage

Store leftover turkey legs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 300°F until warmed through to maintain crisp skin. Keep leftover cranberry sauce refrigerated up to 2 days and reheat or serve cold.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of poultry seasoning?

Yes, you can substitute any poultry seasoning blend you prefer or create your own mix of herbs such as sage, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram for similar results.

How do I know when the turkey legs are fully cooked?

Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should reach 165°F in the thickest part of the leg. The juices should run clear and the skin should be golden and crispy.

Air-Fryer Turkey Legs with Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 121 reviews

This delicious Air-Fryer Turkey Legs recipe features tender and juicy turkey legs seasoned with a blend of brown sugar, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt. The legs are air-fried to crispy perfection and served with a tangy-sweet homemade cranberry sauce infused with orange zest and thyme, making it a perfect main dish for a comforting meal.

Author: Dana
Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 4 hours to overnight marinating)
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes to overnight marinating plus cook time
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Turkey Legs

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

For the 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: Place a cooling rack on a rimmed baking sheet. In a medium bowl large enough to fit a turkey leg, combine the brown sugar, poultry seasoning, kosher salt, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Stir well to create the spice rub.
Season the Turkey Legs: Pat the turkey legs very dry with paper towels to ensure the spices stick well. One at a time, rub the spice mixture thoroughly all over each turkey leg until fully coated. Place the seasoned legs on the baking sheet. Refrigerate uncovered for at least 4 hours or up to overnight to allow flavors to penetrate. Remove from the refrigerator 30 to 60 minutes before cooking to bring them closer to room temperature.
Air Fry the Turkey Legs: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C). Brush each turkey leg lightly with vegetable oil. Arrange the turkey legs in the air-fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding; cook in batches if necessary. Air fry for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The skin should be deeply browned and crispy, and juices should run clear. Transfer cooked legs to a platter and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Make the Cranberry Sauce (Optional): While the turkey cooks, combine the canned whole-berry cranberry sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, thyme sprig, orange juice, and kosher salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens. Remove from heat, stir in orange zest, and let it infuse for 5 minutes. Adjust salt to taste. The cranberry sauce can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and refrigerated if desired.
Serve: Plate the turkey legs with cranberry sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy the tender, flavorful turkey with the tangy, citrus-infused cranberry sauce.

Notes

For best flavor absorption, allow turkey legs to marinate overnight in the spice rub.
Make sure to pat turkey legs completely dry before seasoning to help the rub adhere and promote crisping.
If your air fryer is small, cook turkey legs in batches to ensure even cooking and crispy skin.
Use a meat thermometer to reliably check doneness for food safety and optimal juiciness.
The cranberry sauce can be prepared ahead of time and gently reheated before serving.

Keywords: air fryer turkey legs, cranberry sauce, poultry seasoning, smoked paprika, easy turkey recipe, air fryer main dish, holiday turkey, crispy turkey legs