Air Fryer Turkey Quarter Recipe
This easy air fryer turkey recipe makes a perfectly juicy turkey quarter with deliciously crispy skin!
We are huge fans of roasting and cooking a whole turkey to feed our family! But when it’s just a few of us, this air fryer turkey quarter recipe is my go-to.
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Using your air fryer to cook turkey is a brilliant way to enjoy all of the delicious flavour of an oven roasted bird in half of the time. This delicious recipe is great for weeknight dinners because of the quick cooking time.
Easy air fryer turkey legs are a family favorite that always remind us of the smoked turkey legs from the Three Broomsticks at Universal Studios.
Who doesn’t love an air fryer turkey leg recipe that brings back memories of a holiday feast on family vacation? This easy weeknight dinner is a regular in our meal rotation!
The size of your air fryer will determine whether you can cook larger turkey legs or all of the parts of the turkey that make up the quarter. Make sure that the turkey meat all fits within the air fryer basket.
What is a turkey quarter?
Marketed fresh or frozen, the hind quarter of a turkey includes the drumstick, thigh, and part of the back. It consists entirely of dark meat and ranges in weight from 2 to 6 pounds.
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Supplies:
- Ninja Air Fryer – this air fryer is the one that I have. It’s a great option when cooking a wide variety of air fryer recipes.
- Small bowls – to make our herb butter rub in.
- Measuring cups and spoons – I’m always using these!
If you are starting with a frozen turkey, be sure to defrost it, before preparing the fresh turkey for the air fryer. A good rule of thumb for thaw time in cold water is about 30 minutes per pound, with the water refreshed every 30 minutes.
If you don’t want to cut into a whole turkey, ask the butcher at your local grocery store to prepare a turkey into your cuts of choice. Or go to your local butcher to source the freshest bird.
Ingredients:
- 1 quarter fresh turkey, about 3 lbs
- 4 tbsp room temperature butter
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 Tbsp seasoning *
Tip: we like to switch it up and use all kinds of seasonings in this recipe. Poultry seasoning, chipotle seasoning or any kind of turkey dry rub are all good choices.
Air Fryer Turkey:
Directions:
1. Set the air fryer to pre heat at 400 degrees F.
2. In a small bowl combine butter, garlic, salt and pepper.
3. Rinse a turkey quarter and dry thoroughly with paper towel.
4. Spread the garlic butter mixture all over the turkey, front and back. Top with seasoning of choice.
5. Transfer the turkey leg and thigh to the basket of the preheated air fryer.
6. Cook for 15 minutes, flip the turkey quarter and cook for an additional 15 minutes.
7. Check that the turkey is done by piercing the thickest part of the thigh to the bone with a knife. If the juice runs clear, it’s done.
8. If the juice is a pink color, cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
9. Serve the finished turkey quarter whole or cut into pieces.
Remove the bird from the air fryer and allow the juicy turkey leg to rest for 5 minutes before carving.
Doesn’t this bird look amazingly delicious?! It makes the best crispy skin and juicy turkey quarter for thanksgiving dinner.
Tips & tricks:
- Total cook time will depend a lot on the size of the quarter. Smaller turkey legs will be done sooner and a larger turkey breast will take longer. Use that meat thermometer to be 100% sure the meat is cooked properly.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container covered in plastic wrap for up to a week in the fridge.
- Check the internal temperature of the bird in the meatiest part of the thigh with an instant read thermometer. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit when done.
- Try adding olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper or brown sugar to the rub on the turkey skin for even more flavour.
- Make this into a complete meal by adding a side dish of green beans, side salad or grilled asparagus!
More of our holiday favorites:
- We love making this garbage can turkey recipe or smoked turkey for Thanksgiving. Turkey brine is a must whenever we are cooking a whole bird.
- Do you have leftover turkey? Make these turkey and cranberry sliders – this easy recipe makes the most delicious turkey sliders that you’ve ever had!
- Looking for a low carb alternative to your standard stuffing? Try this delicious keto friendly stove top stuffing recipe!
- My mom always makes the best side dishes for Thanksgiving dinner! Try her classic yams recipe this year.
- This cranberry salsa recipe is a family favorite and makes the perfect appetizer!
If you love this air fryer turkey recipe, please give it a five star review and help me share it on Facebook and Pinterest so that others can enjoy it too!
Air Fryer Turkey Quarter
Ingredients
- 1 quarter fresh turkey about 3 lbs
- 4 tbsp room temperature butter
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 Tbsp seasoning
Instructions
- 1. Set the air fryer to pre heat at 400F.
- 2. In a small bowl combine butter, garlic, salt and pepper.
- 3. Rinse a turkey quarter and dry thoroughly with paper towel.
- 4. Spread the butter mixture all over the turkey, front and back. Cover with seasoning of choice.
- 5. Transfer the turkey leg and thigh to the basket of the preheated air fryer.
- 6. Cook for 15 minutes, flip the turkey quarter and cook for an additional 15 minutes.
- 7. Check that the turkey is done by piercing the thickest part of the thigh to the bone with a knife. If the juice runs clear, it's done.
- 8. If the juice is a pink color, cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- 9. Serve the finished turkey quarter whole or cut into pieces.
Nutrition
