These Air Fryer Turkey Thighs are amazing! You will love the juicy meat that is so tender, and covered with delicious crispy skin! Plus, they are easy to make, with a cook time of less than 30 minutes! They are perfect for a small Thanksgiving gathering or a quick weeknight dinner the whole family will love!
There's no doubt about it, air fryer turkey thighs are delicious all year long- especially around the holidays. Whether it's Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner, or even Easter, this recipe is always a big hit.
Plus, this recipe is so much easier and less stressful than cooking a whole turkey. And if you love dark meat, this recipe is perfect.
The best part is that the air fryer cooks the thighs to perfection, creating a golden and crispy turkey skin. The meat is juicy and full of flavor, making it a perfect centerpiece for any holiday meal.
Plus, because they are cooked in the air fryer, it leaves your oven free for other dishes. Gluten-Free Crustless Pumpkin Pie anyone?
👩🏻🍳 More delicious turkey recipes
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❤️ Why you will love this recipe
- The air fryer does an amazing job of cooking the turkey thighs to perfection. The skin is nice and crispy, while the meat is juicy and flavorful.
- You can make turkey thighs in a fraction of the time it would take to roast them or smoke them.
- This air fryer recipe is super easy to follow, and it doesn't take very long to make. You can have a delicious Thanksgiving dinner on the table in no time!
- This air fryer turkey thigh recipe is also very versatile. You can easily add your own favorite seasonings or spices to give it a unique flavor that your family will love.
- This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual get-together with friends.
- You can easily double or triple this recipe to feed a large crowd.
- Serve it with some roasted veggies and mashed potatoes for a complete meal that your whole family will love.
🍗 Ingredients
This simple recipe requires ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store.
- Turkey thighs. I used bone-in, skin-on turkey thighs.
- Olive oil. This gives the dry rub something to adhere to.
- Turkey rub consisting of brown sugar, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, sea salt, and poultry seasoning.
See the printable recipe card for quantities.
♨️ Instructions
First, preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F.
While the smoker is preheating, mix the ingredients for the dry rub in a small bowl.
Dry the turkey thighs with a paper towel to remove extra moisture.
Brush olive oil over the turkey thighs. Make sure to cover the top, bottom, and sides.
Apply the dry rub evenly. You want to cover the entire piece of turkey. Use your hands to push the rub into the skin if you need to.
Next, place turkey thighs in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure to leave some space between them to allow for adequate airflow.
Place the basket back into the preheated air fryer. Set the timer for 24 minutes.
Flip the turkey thighs over halfway through the cooking time.
The thighs are cooked when the skin is golden brown and crispy and the juices run clear.
You can also check for doneness by checking the internal temperature in the thickest part. It should be 175 degrees F. You can use a digital meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
Remove the turkey thighs from the air fryer. Let them rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. Cover them with aluminum foil to keep them warm.
Place on a serving dish and serve with your favorite barbecue sauce or cranberry sauce.
Enjoy!
📖 Substitutions
- Turkey thighs: You can use skinless turkey thighs as well.
- Olive oil: You can also use melted butter or avocado oil.
- Turkey rub: Use your favorite turkey rub or chicken rub if desired. Some of my favorites are this Smoked Turkey Tub or this Smoked Chicken Rub.
🌿 Variations
- Spicy - add cayenne pepper, chili pepper flakes, or Cajun seasoning to the spice rub.
- Sweet - Add extra brown sugar to the spice rub, or brush the thighs with maple syrup at the end of cooking time.
- Saucy - Brush on your favorite BBQ sauce at the end of cooking time.
- Fresh herbs - Use fresh rosemary or fresh thyme if you have it.
Another excellent option for cooking turkey thighs is to make Smoked Turkey Thighs.
Love chicken thighs too? Try Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs, Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs, or Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs.
🍽 Equipment
I used my Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer, which I love. It has a large basket so I can easily make enough food quickly for my family, and it lets me know when it is preheated and when it is time to flip the food.
I also have a dual-drawer Ninja Foodi Air Fryer. I like to use it when cooking for fewer people or when I want to cook different foods simultaneously.
Remember that there are many different models of air fryers, and they all cook differently. For example, some cook hotter and faster than others.
The cooking time may need to be adjusted depending on your air fryer model and the size of your air fryer.
🌡️ Storage
Fridge: Leftover turkey thighs can be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Leftover turkey thighs can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container or Ziploc bag. Remove the meat from the bone before freezing.
Hint: If you have lots of leftovers, remove the meat from the bone and wrap it in individual serving sizes in plastic wrap. Place individual servings in a Ziploc bag, then pop them in the freezer to make meal prep quick and easy.
💭 Top tips
- Pat the turkey dry with paper towels to make them as dry as possible.
- Cook until the internal temperature reaches 175°F. Use a meat thermometer to check.
- Let the thighs rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
❓ FAQ
Yes! To reheat turkey thighs in the air fryer, place thighs in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 3-4 minutes at a temperature of 300 degrees F or until they are warmed through. If reheating from frozen, it will take longer than reheating them from chilled so you might have to add extra time.
No, this recipe does not require brining. The air fryer does a really good job of keeping the meat moist and juicy.
🥗 What to serve with air fryer turkey thighs?
Serve these juicy turkey thighs with Twice-Baked Mashed Potatoes, Classic Campbells Green Bean Casserole, turkey gravy, Smoked Baked Beans, Oven-Roasted Potatoes, Air Fryer Green Beans, Air Fryer Carrots, Traeger Smoked Corn, Whole30 Cranberry Sauce, and Homemade Stuffing with Bacon.
You can also pair the juicy thighs with Ruths Chris Sweet Potato Casserole, Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts, Roast Buttercup Squash, or Air Fryer Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus.
If you like this post on Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Thighs, please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it.
📋 Recipe
Juicy Air Fryer Turkey Thighs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 turkey thighs
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2½ tbsp turkey rub
Turkey Rub Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F.
- Mix the ingredients for the turkey rub in a small bowl.
- Dry the turkey thighs with a paper towel to remove extra moisture.
- Brush olive oil over the entire turkey thighs. Make sure to cover the top, bottom, and sides.
- Apply the dry rub evenly over the turkey thighs. You want to cover the entire thigh.
- Place turkey thighs in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure to leave some space between the thighs to allow for adequate airflow.
- Place the basket back into the preheated air fryer. Set the timer for 24 minutes. Flip the turkey thighs over halfway through the cooking time.
- The thighs are cooked when the skin is golden brown and crispy and the juices run clear.
- You can also check for doneness by checking the internal temperature in the thickest part. It should be 175 degrees F.
- Remove the turkey thighs from the air fryer. Let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Cover them with aluminum foil to keep them warm.
- Place on a serving dish and serve with your favorite barbecue sauce or cranberry sauce.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Pat the turkey dry with paper towels to make them as dry as possible.
- Cook until the internal temperature reaches 175°F. Use a meat thermometer to check.
- Let the thighs rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
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