Enjoy juicy air fryer turkey thighs with crispy skin! This easy recipe delivers delicious, flavorful meat that's perfectly cooked on the inside and crispy on the outside.
It's great to have a healthier alternative to air fryer chicken (it's one of the most requested dinners in my household). As a mom of two who enjoys preparing quick and healthy dinners once in a while, this crispy and juicy air fryer turkey thighs recipe is one of my best picks.
With simple spices such as garlic powder, paprika, thyme, and cayenne pepper, these turkey thighs are savory and a bit garlicky! It's so simple that you can customize yours to whatever flavor you prefer.
The turkey thighs are cooked with an air fryer and this means less hands-on time, you only have to flip them halfway through the cooking time. You can prepare your side dishes or watch an episode of your favorite show as you cook. It takes around 40 minutes to cook and this already includes the resting time.
This particular recipe is a household favorite, I even serve this with dips sometimes, and this is an easy dish to prepare for potlucks! I just adjust the spice for the kids. It's protein-packed and you can't get enough of it!
With easy prep and short cooking time, you can prepare easy turkey thighs in under an hour! An ideal choice for quick dinners, perfect for busy moms!
Ingredients
- Bone-in turkey thighs - I usually make this with frozen turkey thighs, you may use fresh ones.
- Olive oil or avocado oil (or any high-smoke-point oil) - helps seasonings adhere and promotes crispy skin
- Garlic powder - provides a savory, garlicky flavor
- Paprika - adds mild sweetness and color
- Dried thyme - adds earthy, herbal notes
- Cayenne pepper (optional) - adjust this based on how spicy you want it to be.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
Step-by-step Instructions
If you're craving juicy, flavorful turkey with crispy skin but don't want to prep and cook an entire turkey, these air fryer turkey thighs are the answer! This recipe delivers perfectly cooked turkey with minimal effort but maximum taste.
Prepare the Turkey Thighs
Start by patting the turkey thighs dry with paper towels. This helps ensure a crispy skin when cooked. Next, gently loosen the skin from the meat by carefully running your fingers or a spoon between the skin and the flesh. Be cautious not to tear the skin, as it helps keep the meat moist during cooking.
Season the Turkey
In a small bowl, mix the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and dried thyme. This seasoning blend will give your turkey thighs a delicious flavor. Drizzle the olive oil or avocado oil over the turkey thighs and use your hands to evenly coat them, including underneath the loosened skin. Then, rub the seasoning mixture all over the thighs, making sure to cover all sides and get some under the skin for maximum flavor.
Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and let it preheat for 5 minutes. This ensures that the air fryer is at the right temperature when you start cooking.
Cook the Turkey Thighs
Place turkey thighs in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each piece to allow for even cooking. Air fry the thighs for 25-30 minutes, flipping them over halfway through the cooking time.
Check for Doneness
After the initial cooking time, check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thighs with a meat thermometer. The turkey is fully cooked when it reaches 165°F (74°C). If needed, continue air frying in 5-minute increments until the desired temperature is reached.
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Rest and Serve
Once cooked, remove the turkey thighs from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring a juicy result. For extra flavor, you can brush the thighs with melted butter or drizzle them with your favorite sauce before serving.
Storage
To store air fryer turkey thighs, allow them to cool to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container. For optimal freshness, refrigerate the turkey thighs for up to 3-4 days. If you want to freeze them, wrap each thigh individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place them in freezer-safe bags or containers, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Frozen turkey thighs can be stored for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw frozen thighs in the refrigerator overnight if necessary. For best results, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, you can use an oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. If using a microwave, heat in 1-minute intervals until warm, but be aware that this method may result in less crispy skin.
Top Tips
Pat dry turkey thighs for crispy skin - Before seasoning, thoroughly pat the turkey thighs dry with paper towels. This removes excess moisture from the skin, which is crucial for achieving that crispy, golden-brown exterior. The drier the skin, the crispier it will become during cooking.
Season under the skin - Gently loosen the skin from the meat and apply some of your seasoning mixture directly to the flesh underneath. This ensures that the flavors penetrate deep into the meat, not just on the surface, resulting in a more flavorful dish overall.
Don't overcrowd the basket -Make sure to leave some space between the turkey thighs in the air fryer basket. This allows hot air to circulate freely around each piece, ensuring even cooking and crispy skin all around. If necessary, cook in batches rather than overcrowding the basket.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Turkey Thighs
This air fryer turkey thighs are great to pair with butternut squash chips, their texture and flavor go well with the turkey thighs. This recipe also contrasts well with my fall charcuterie board with roasted vegetables.
If you're looking for another turkey recipe, my baked turkey tenders recipe is one of my go-tos!
Recipe
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Air Fryer Turkey Thighs
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Air fryer sheets
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in turkey thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for a little heat
Instructions
- Pat the turkey thighs dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika and dried thyme. Mix well.
- Loosen the skin from the turkey thighs by gently running your fingers or a spoon between the skin and the meat. Be careful not to tear the skin.
- Drizzle the olive oil or avocado oil over the seasoned turkey thighs, and use your hands to rub the oil all over the thighs, ensuring they are evenly coated. Spread some of the oil underneath the loosened skin.
- Rub the seasoning mixture evenly over the turkey thighs, making sure to cover all sides, including under the skin.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 5 minutes.
- Place the turkey thighs in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each piece for even cooking.
- Air fry the turkey thighs for 25-30 minutes, flipping them over halfway through the cooking time.
- Check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thighs with a meat thermometer. The thighs are fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- If the thighs are not yet fully cooked, continue air frying in 5-minute increments until the desired temperature is reached.
- Once cooked, remove the turkey thighs from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Optionally, you can brush the thighs with melted butter or drizzle them with your favorite sauce before serving.
