Air-Fryer Turkey Legs with Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe
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.
- 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
