The exact cook time can vary. Read below for our tips!
If you’re looking for a tasty turkey recipe that’s easy to make, try air fryer turkey drumsticks! This simple recipe is a great way to enjoy some turkey without all the hassle of the oven.
Made with a simple blend of oil and spices, these drumsticks are crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside.
They pair nicely with different potato and vegetable sides – and you can even serve them with a side of cranberry sauce for a taste of the holidays!
FYI: The terms “turkey leg” and “turkey drumstick” are sometimes used interchangeably in everyday conversation. Technically, drumsticks are only the lower part of the leg – what you see in this recipe.
Drumsticks do not include the turkey thigh. So if you plan to cook a full turkey leg (both drumstick and thigh) in the air fryer, your cooking time will be longer than indicated in this recipe.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this turkey drumstick recipe:
- Turkey drumsticks – Fresh turkey drumsticks, about 1/2 pound each.
- Oil – We use avocado oil because it has a high smoke point and a neutral taste, but you can also use canola oil, vegetable oil, or olive oil.
- Paprika – We use regular mild paprika, but you can use smoked paprika or hot paprika if you prefer.
- Garlic powder – Or granulated garlic; for extra flavor.
- Onion powder – For some extra flavor. Feel free to skip if you don’t like onion flavor.
- Salt – Enhances the overall taste; adjust the amount to taste.
- Black pepper – For a hint of spice. Use freshly cracked pepper for the best taste.
Recipe Tips
- You can vary the exact blend of spices to your taste. Cayenne pepper is a popular addition for a hint of spice.
- For crispy drumsticks, don’t overcrowd the air fryer. If they don’t fit into your air fryer in one even layer, cook them in batches.
- Turkey drumsticks are much larger than chicken drumsticks so the cooking time isn’t comparable. As a guideline, raw poultry (including turkey) should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a meat thermometer to check.
- Use different tongs (or clean the ones you have) when flipping the semi-cooked drumsticks and removing the cooked drumsticks to avoid cross-contamination.
Get Weekly Air Fryer Inspiration
Join 2000+ air fryer fans getting fresh ideas in their inbox every week!
You can unsubscribe anytime. No spam. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.
Step by Step Instructions
First, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In the meantime, grab a small mixing bowl and add the oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper and mix everything.
Next, place the turkey drumsticks on a large plate and coat the drumsticks with the marinade using a marinating brush. Be sure to get both sides of the drumsticks.
When the air fryer is hot, add the raw turkey drumsticks to the air fryer basket. Leave some space between them so they cook and crisp evenly.
Air fry the turkey drumsticks at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes, then flip them over using tongs.
Continue air frying the drumsticks for another 10-15 minutes or until they are fully cooked through.
The exact cooking time can vary depending on the size of the drumsticks and your air fryer. The turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once done, remove the turkey drumsticks from the air fryer and serve them how you like.
They make a nice dinner option – with a side of roasted potatoes, and cranberry sauce. Enjoy!
Storage Tips
Any leftover turkey drumsticks can be stored in a sealed container or wrapped in foil in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
You can reheat the drumsticks in the air fryer at a lower temperature (like 300 degrees Fahrenheit) for a few minutes until heated through.
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed these turkey drumsticks, here are some more turkey recipes that you can make next:
- Air Fryer Turkey Breast (Skinless, Boneless)
- Homemade Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
- Air Fried Turkey Meatballs (Homemade)
- Air Fryer Turkey-Apple-Cheddar Roll-Ups
- Turkey Bacon in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Frozen Turkey Meatballs
- Frozen Turkey Burger in Air Fryer
Air Fryer Turkey Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 2 turkey drumsticks, about 1/2 pound each
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, more to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Meanwhile, add the oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to a small bowl and mix well.1 tablespoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Place the turkey drumsticks on a large plate and coat the drumsticks with the oil and spice mix using a brush.2 turkey drumsticks
- Place the raw turkey drumsticks in the air fryer basket. Leave some space between them so they cook and crisp evenly.
- Air fry the turkey drumsticks at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes, then flip them over using tongs.
- Cook the drumsticks for another 10-15 minutes or until fully cooked. The exact cooking time can vary depending on the size of the drumsticks and your air fryer. The turkey should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Once done, remove the turkey drumsticks from the air fryer and serve them how you like. They make a nice dinner option – with a side of potatoes, and cranberry sauce.
Video
Notes
- You can vary the exact blend of spices to your taste. Cayenne pepper adds a spicy kick.
- For crispy drumsticks, don’t overcrowd the air fryer. If they don’t fit in one even layer, cook in batches.
- The turkey drumsticks should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a meat thermometer to check.
- Use different tongs (or clean the ones you have) when flipping the semi-cooked drumsticks and removing the cooked drumsticks to avoid cross-contamination.
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
