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Air Fryer Turkey Thighs

These air fryer turkey thighs are finger-licking good! My every season air-fryer turkey recipe is easy to make, divine in taste, healthy, and extremely delicious. This is an absolute favorite.

Air fryer Chicken thighs served with brown rice and broccoli

Air Fryer Turkey Thighs Recipe

Are you looking for a fast dinner on busy weeknights or something fast but delicious for thanksgiving dinner? You can place a bet on this air fryer turkey thigh. I love making it for my family because it is very easy to make and requires few ingredients. In addition, I love my turkey crispy. So, you can imagine my joy when I get to make this effortlessly all-in-one pot for clean-up.

How To Make Air Fryer Turkey Thighs

To make crispy and juicy turkey thighs, you don’t need a lot of ingredients. The combination of aromatics, bouillon cube, and a few herbs will make a divinely delicious turkey thigh. Here are my foolproof steps to help you make a perfect turkey thigh:

  • Wash the turkey thighs very well using water and lemon/vinegar (if desired).
  • Pat them dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This will help you get some crispy skin.
  • Combine all the seasoning in a small bowl.
  • Then, first rub the oil all over the thigh, followed by the seasoning mix. Be sure to rub some under the skin too.
  • Cover and allow the thighs to marinate for 30 minutes. If short of time, you can cook immediately.
  • Air fry at 375°F skin side up for 40-45 minutes or until the skin is crisp and golden and a thermometer reads 165 degrees in the thickest part of the thigh. Depending on the size of your thighs, the time may vary slightly.
  • After the meat is cooked, let it rest for five to ten minutes before serving.
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Cooking Tips

  • Don’t forget to use an internal temperature thermometer. I use this thermometer.
  • Ensure that you wash your hands properly for hygiene because you are cooking raw turkey thighs.

Internal Temperature

Whenever I am air frying my turkey thighs. The internal temperature gives me the assurance that my turkey is well done and juicy on the inside. When the internal temperature of your turkey is between 165 – 170°F, it is cooked to perfection.  

Can I Air Fry Frozen Turkey Thighs?

Of course, you can air fry frozen turkey thighs. I ensure that season the thigh once they start to defrost. Place the thigh in the air fryer basket and cook at 390 degrees. After 10 minutes of cooking, drain the liquid collected from the thawing process of the turkey and season as desired. If you want your frozen turkey thigh to come out crispy, you must drain the water. Leaving the water will make the air fryer steam your turkey thighs instead of frying them. 

How Long do you Cook a Turkey Thigh in an Air Fryer?

The cooking duration for your air fryer turkey depends on how big they are however, the average time is between 40-45 minutes. You can know when your turkey is done through the internal temperature.

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Leftovers

Whenever I have extra turkey thighs, I love to preserve them in the fridge. I place them in an airtight container and put them in. You can also explore placing leftover turkey thighs in a bowl tightly covered with foil. Air-fried turkey thigh can stay up to 5 days in the fridge. Before you freeze, ensure that the turkey is cool.

When you are ready to take the turkey, you can always reheat it by placing it in the air-fryer for 5 minutes between 350 to 400 degrees. However, to still enjoy that fresh and crispy turkey, ensure that you first wipe the turkey skin with a paper towel before you reheat.

Additionally, you can freeze your turkey to last for a longer time. To do this, you can use a Ziplock bag or a freezer-safe container. Frozen air-fried turkey thighs can last for 3 months. When you are ready, just reheat it in the air fryer.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve turkey with broccoli, mashed potatoes, jollof rice, white rice, sauteed vegetables, noodles, honey mustard sauce, and so on. You can also eat turkey alone without serving it with other dishes.

More Turkey Recipes

Air fryer Chicken thighs served with brown rice and broccoli

Air fryer turkey thighs

Air fryer turkey thighs – Whether you are making a Thanksgiving feast or some simple roast turkey thighs, cooking with an air fryer is a great way to speed up cooking time and make your meals healthier.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Lunch/Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Air fryer recipe, air fryer turkey, turkey
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
marinating time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 2 turkey thighs
Calories: 788kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds turkey thighs bone-in skin-on
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon salt or add to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon thyme dry
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon bouillon powder or cube
  • 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice for washing [optional]

Instructions

  • Wash the turkey thighs very well using water and lemon/vinegar (if desired). Pat them dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This will help you get some crispy skin.
  • Combine all the seasoning in a small bowl. Then, first rub the oil all over the thigh, followed by the seasoning mix. Be sure to rub some under the skin too. Cover and allow the thighs to marinate for 30 minutes. If short of time, you can cook immediately.
  • Air fry at 375 degrees F skin side up for 40-45 minutes or until the skin is crisp and golden and a thermometer reads 165 degrees in the thickest part of the thigh.
  • Depending on the size of your thighs, the time may vary slightly.
  • After the meat is cooked, let it rest for five to ten minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 788kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 86g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 281mg | Sodium: 2535mg | Potassium: 1164mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1010IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 7mg

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