Epic and Crispy Air Fried Turkey Thighs (With Video)

For these incredibly juicy air-fried turkey thighs, I used the Ninja Foodi and any air fryer will work. The turkey thighs are air-fried for juicy meat on the inside and incredibly crispy skin on the outside. The rapid convection naturally bastes the meat, which is usually done by spooning oil over an ingredient, such as a steak, as it cooks in a pan. This method creates that, “How the bliss did this restaurant make a steak I never could at home” feeling. If you try your hand at it, which I recommend for self-empowered chef feelings, you can also add fresh rosemary to the oil you baste with and infuse the steak with all kinds of flavor. The flavor and texture is unreal, and also so real it makes you realize why you love living. Instead of doing all the work of basting, you can just air fry instead.

I’ve always been a massive fan of turkey and growing up I only had it at Thanksgiving, dry from sitting out for hours, or sliced and watery from a package for sandwiches. Even in these less than epic states I devoured it happily. I feel this sense of peace after eating it, which is actually from tryptophan. We Googled it many Thanksgivings ago after all feeling super sleepy at the table and wanting to know why. Science is awesome.

Now that I use turkey for taco meat, burgers, meatballs and for these turkey thighs it’s a weekly treat and I’m always looking for new ways to use it. Let me know in the comments what dishes you use turkey in. Turkey is incredibly versatile, and like lamb, my favorite red meat, is oddly underutilized in the states. If you’re on this post you probably already know how epic turkey is, or it’s Thanksgiving. Welcome fellow turkey fans, or soon to be ones.

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Tools You Need for Air Fried Turkey Thighs

Ninja Foodi or any air fryer – any air fryer will work for this recipe, just make sure the turkey thighs have enough room to not be touching each other so all the skin gets super crispy.

This is easily the best kitchen appliance I have ever owned. We use it daily and make such amazing food that eating out is getting disappointing in comparison. It was on sale in Costco and one of those why not moments came over me after a friend raved about their Foodi for an hour. My friend is not a raver so I took their Foodi wisdom seriously of how it makes incredible ribs that melt in the mouth in half the time. We did this with pork ribs and mmmmm. I missed the smoke of a smoker though so we’ll have to up the liquid smoke next time we try it.

The Ninja Foodi is that it was designed to be wide and hold things like entire turkey thighs. You can pressure cook something and then broil, bake or air crisp it with the multiple functions of this magical machine. You can make an entire rack of ribs that will be the best ones you’ve ever had in these. As a Texan those words are not used lightly.

Meat Thermometer

In order to know your turkey thighs are done and for in general epic meat times get a meat thermometer. We also use this thermometer for candy making and to check water temp for coffee and tea.

Oil Spray Bottle

Small investment that then saves a blisston. Oil spray bottles are double the price of just buying the oil so buy this spray bottle, fill it with oil and save forever.

Silicon Tongs:

Use these to flip the meat. Silicon is best to avoid scratching your air fryer.

How to Make Air Fried Turkey Thighs in the Ninja Foodi

For crispy air fried turkey thighs, we use the air crisp function which creates rapid convection. The heat in the Foodi crisps the skin and as the fat renders it self-bastes the thighs and they become extra juicy with barely any work. Just spray the thighs with oil, salt them, herb them, and walk away. You can also dance away if you’re feeling it. The air fry function on any air fryer will work the same way.

These thighs are that juicy filled mix between just enough moisture on the inside and the right amount of crisp on the outside to where you even get that crunch to your munch.

Since the size of turkey thighs may vary check on the internal temp of your turkey thighs to make sure they are cooked through. The internal temp should read 165 degrees for fully cooked turkey. Ours cooked in 25 minutes, and the more turkey thighs you add to the air fryer the longer they will need to be cooked. Add an extra 2-5 minutes per turkey thigh.

Seasoning the Turkey Thighs

Just like chicken turkey does well with Italian herbs, paprika, rosemary, thyme, celery salt, and even a little mustard powder. Feel free to switch up the spices to get the flavor you crave. I went simple with these thighs and sprinkled on Italian seasoning for the quickest and easiest version of the recipe. Fresh herbs would also be incredibly delicious. Try a sprig of fresh rosemary for a truly delicious herb flavor.

Inspired by Justin Warner’s Ninja Foodi cookbook. He helped develop the Ninja Foodi so the book is like reading the beginning of the Foodi journey.

Looking for Other Air Fryer Recipes?

Air Fryer Buffalo Wings – feel free to replace ghee with butter if not dairy free

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs

Air Fried Chicken Nuggets

Air Fried Fresh Green Beans – pairs deliciously with any protein

Epic Air Fried Turkey Thighs

Air Fried Crispy Turkey Thighs

Print

Serves: 4 Prep Time: 5 Minutes Cooking Time: 25 Minutes 25 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 9 calories 9 fat

Rating: 3.9/5

( 18 voted )

Ingredients

2 Turkey Thighs

1/4 teaspoon Italian Seasoning or Thyme for each thigh

1 teaspoon Sea Salt

1 Tablespoon Avocado Oil either sprayed on or rubbed in

 

Equipment:

Ninja Foodi or any Air Fryer

Meat Thermometer

Oil Spray Bottle - Tiny investment that then saves a blisston. Spray bottles already filled with oil are double the price of just buying the oil.

Silicon Tongs: Use these to flip the meat. Silicon is best to avoid scratching your air fryer.

Instructions

1. Spray the basket with avocado oil then preheat the air fryer at 390 for five minutes. If using the Foodi insert the black basket before preheating.
2. Season the thighs generously with salt and rub on your chosen spices. 
3. Spray or rub the skin side of the thighs with oil, you'll spray the other side in another step.
4. Once preheated drop in the thighs skin side down. Leave as much room as possible between the turkey thighs to let the air circulate and avoid stacking them. Cook the thighs in batches if needed.
5. Spray oil on the top of the thighs with gusto.
6. Dance a little.
7. Drop the Crisping Lid and set to 390 on the Air Crisp function for 25-30 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. 
8. Let rest for 3 minutes before devouring. These are finger lickin levels of delicious so feel free to lick away.

Enjoy these air fried turkey thighs with any veggie on the side. Some of our favorites are fresh green beans or even a classic salad.