Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Thighs

It’s so easy to cook these juicy turkey thighs in the air fryer! Beautifully seasoned with crispy skin and done in 30 minutes.

 

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Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

Crispy skin turkey and a juicy center are what we all want in a turkey thigh. Rub on these wonderful creole spices and it’s soon to be the star of your family’s dinner!

Add this to your air fryer Thanksgiving recipes too. Perfect for a new couple or a single person. You don’t have to prepare a traditional oven-roasted turkey to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner. Nor do you have to spend hours tending to an entire turkey and sharing oven space with other yummy dishes.

Pair air-fried turkey thighs with Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and Smothered Green Beans. Round it out with Easy Cornbread Muffins and for dessert, a Sweet Potato Bundt Cake. Don’t think you have to wait until November to enjoy all of these dishes, air fryer turkey can be enjoyed all year round for as long as your air fryer is working!

Air Fried Turkey Thigh Ingredients and Tools Needed

• Poultry Seasoning
• Creole Seasoning
• Kosher Salt
• Garlic Powder
• Black Petter
• Bone-in, skin-on turkey thighs – Roughly 2 pounds of bone-in, skin-on turkey thighs

Tools needed for this recipe:

• Air Fryer
• Quick read thermometer
• Small bowl
• Paper towel

How to make Air Fryer Turkey Thighs

Mix poultry seasoning, creole seasoning, kosher salt, garlic powder, and black pepper in a small bowl. Set aside. 

Pat chicken thighs dry. Rub seasonings on both sides of the chicken thighs, and under the skin. Let sit for 30 minutes. Feel free to skip the 30-minute wait if you’re in a hurry. 

Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (193 Celcius). 

Place turkey thighs, skin side down, in the preheated air fryer basket, and cook for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, flip the turkey thighs and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. 

Remove from the air fryer and let the turkey rest for 5 minutes. Serve and enjoy.

Is an air fryer turkey juicy?

When food is placed into an air fryer and turned on circulating hot air cooks and crisps up the food. Because turkey thighs are higher in fat than turkey breasts, no additional oil or butter is needed for the turkey to maintain its moisture. Whereas a boneless turkey breast will need a little spritz of oil to help keep it moist.

Moreover, if you cook either a turkey thigh or turkey breast too long, they’ll become dry.

Prepping turkey thighs for the air fryer

Make sure you’ve thawed the turkey completely before prepping, this will ensure you get a proper read on the thermometer when they’ve finished cooking.

Pat your turkey thighs dry with paper towels and season or marinade per your recipe instructions before placing it into the air fryer. Making sure your chicken is dry will ensure the seasonings stick to the chicken and the skin gets crispy.

If you’re skittish about touching raw turkey, food-grade gloves are a great option!

How long does it take to air-fry a turkey per pound?

Cooking time for a turkey in an air fryer can differ depending on the size of your turkey and air fryer. You can absolutely make an air-fried whole turkey as well. A good rule for air fryer whole turkey or turkey parts is 8-10 minutes per pound.

Where do you check a turkey thigh temperature?

Using a meat thermometer, place the tip into the thickest part of the turkey thigh without touching the bone. Ensure you’re not touching the bone or the temperature reading will be inaccurate. For a fully cooked, yet still juicy turkey thigh the internal temperature needs to reach 170-175 degrees Fahrenheit.

Storing and Reheating Air Fryer Turkey Thighs

Storing:

Store turkey thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheating:

Reheat leftover turkey thighs in a 350-degree Fahrenheit preheated air fryer and cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through so the top can re-crisp.

Air Fryer Turkey Thigh Recipe Notes:

• The turkey thigh should reach a temperature between 170-175 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a quick read thermometer to ensure the turkey thighs are done. 
• I like to allow my turkey thighs to sit at room temperature for a few minutes to absorb the seasonings. Feel free to skip this step if you’re short on time. In the alternative, you can season the turkey thighs beforehand, about 1-2 days, and refrigerate them until ready to cook.

Looking for more Air Fryer or Turkey recipes? Try these out:

• Roasted Air Fryer Turkey Breast (Bone-In or Boneless)
• Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
• Air Fryer Roasted Turkey Legs or turkey wings
• Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges
• Air Fryer Cornish Hens
• Seasoned Air Fryer Broccoli

 If you have tried this air fryer recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!