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Crispy golden brown air fryer turkey drumsticks on a white plate with herb butter and fresh herbs

Air Fryer Turkey Drumsticks (Brined & Buttery)

Sherisse'
Juicy, flavorful turkey drumsticks with crispy golden skin, brined overnight for maximum flavor and topped with herbed butter. This fuss-free method uses your Ninja CRISPi PRO air fryer for perfectly cooked turkey legs that even turkey skeptics will love. Perfect for a last-minute Thanksgiving meal or any time you want impressive, hands-off turkey.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 31 minutes
Brine Time 12 hours
Total Time 46 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 drumsticks
Calories 385 kcal

Equipment

  • Ninja CRISPi PRO Air Fryer (AS100 Series)
  • 6-qt CleanCrisp Glassware Container
  • Large container or 2-gallon zip-top bag
  • Instant-read thermometer
  • Tongs
  • Oven mitts

Ingredients
  

For the Brine

  • 8 cups cold water
  • ½ cup kosher salt Diamond Crystal
  • ½ cup brown sugar packed
  • 3-4 tablespoons black peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon whole allspice berries
  • 6-8 fresh thyme sprigs
  • 3-4 fresh sage leaves
  • 6 garlic cloves smashed
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 medium orange quartered, optional

For the Turkey

  • 6 turkey drumsticks about 3-4 lbs total

For the Herb Butter

  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons herbes de Provence
  • Avocado oil spray

Instructions
 

Day Before: Make the Brine

  • In a large container or 2-gallon zip-top bag, whisk together cold water, kosher salt, and brown sugar until completely dissolved.
  • Add black peppercorns, allspice berries, thyme, sage, garlic, bay leaves, and orange quarters (if using).
  • Submerge turkey drumsticks completely in the brine. If using a zip-top bag, place it in a large bowl or baking dish to catch any leaks.
  • Seal and refrigerate for 12-16 hours (overnight works perfectly).

Cooking Day: Prep the Drumsticks

  • Remove drumsticks from the refrigerator. Take them out of the brine and rinse each drumstick under cold water to remove excess salt.
  • Pat drumsticks VERY dry with paper towels. This step is critical for achieving crispy skin.
  • Let them sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes while you prepare the herb butter.
  • In a small bowl, mix softened butter with herbes de Provence until well combined.
  • Place 2-3 dollops of herb butter on top of each drumstick. Lightly spray each drumstick with avocado oil spray.

Air Fry the Turkey

  • Position modular base to LOW position (for 6-qt container). Insert crisper plate into the 6-qt glass container.
  • Place 3 drumsticks in a single layer in the 6-qt container (don't overcrowd - cook in two batches).
  • Set Ninja CRISPi PRO to AIR FRY function at 390°F for 28 minutes. Press dial to start cooking.
  • When timer goes off, carefully remove container (use oven mitts - it's hot!), flip each drumstick using tongs, and return container to air fryer.
  • Set to AIR FRY at 390°F for 3 minutes.
  • Check doneness: Turkey is done when internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part (not touching bone). Skin should be golden brown and crispy.
  • Let drumsticks rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  • Repeat with remaining 3 drumsticks. Note: Second batch may cook slightly faster since air fryer is already hot - check at 26 minutes for first side.

Notes

Brine timing: Don't skip the brine! It adds incredible flavor and keeps the meat juicy. 12-16 hours is ideal, but you can go as short as 6 hours or as long as 24 hours.
Pat dry thoroughly: The drier the skin, the crispier it will get. Don't skip this step!
Butter temperature: Make sure butter is softened (not melted) so it stays on top of the drumsticks and doesn't just run off.
Don't overcrowd: Cook 3 drumsticks at a time in the 6-qt container for best air circulation and even crisping.
Salt note: Because the drumsticks are brined, we use unsalted butter and no additional salt. The brine provides all the seasoning needed.
Storage: Store leftover turkey drumsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 8-10 minutes to restore crispiness.
Oven method: If you prefer oven cooking, place drumsticks on a wire rack over a baking sheet and roast at 425°F for 40-50 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 385kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 42gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 165mgSodium: 780mgSugar: 1g
Keyword air fryer turkey legs, brined turkey drumsticks, crispy turkey legs, fuss-free thanksgiving, last minute thanksgiving, Ninja CRISPi PRO recipe, Thanksgiving turkey
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