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    Home » Chicken

    Aug 14, 2024

    Air Fryer Chicken Legs

    Published on Aug 14, 2024. Updated on Aug 14, 2024. By Tayo. This post may contain affiliate links. See Disclosure. 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    Air Fryer Chicken Legs-pinterest

    These air fryer chicken legs with crispy skin and delicious dark meat have become my family's favorite chicken meal. With an easy homemade chicken seasoning, these will be ready in no time!

    chicken legs in the air fryer

    ❤️ Why you'll love it

    I'm convinced that the air fryer is one of the best ways to cook chicken. Every recipe comes out perfect, and even bone-in cuts like drumsticks and chicken thighs cook so quickly.

    If you've got less than 30 minutes to prepare dinner, this winning chicken recipe is for you!

    🥘 Equipment Used

    The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    For this air fryer chicken legs recipe, you'll need an air fryer and tongs for flipping the chicken legs. My favorite air fryers are Ninja Air Fryer and Cosori Air Fryer. But you can use any air fryer that you already have.

    🧾 Ingredients Used

    chicken legs, seasoning, olive oil
    • Chicken legs: It is best to use fresh or thawed chicken legs to ensure the meat can cook quickly without drying out.
    • Olive oil: Any neutral cooking oil will do. I also like to use avocado oil as it can tolerate being heated to high temperatures very well.
    • Chicken seasoning: My homemade chicken seasoning is the secret to this simple recipe, so don't skip it! It includes paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, parsley, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.

    🔪 How To Make This Recipe

    1. Preheat the air fryer to 400F.
    2. Wash and pat dry the chicken with paper towels, then place them in a large bowl.
    3. Drizzle olive oil on the chicken legs and rub them all over with the spices.
    4. Arrange the chicken legs in the air fryer basket on a single layer. Do not overcrowd.
    5. Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
    6. Add 2-3 minutes to each side if you have very large chicken legs.
    how to make chicken legs in the air fryer

    🥫 Storing and Reheating

    Store your leftover chicken drumsticks in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. To reheat your air fryer drumsticks, you can place them back in the air fryer for about 2-5 minutes to heat up or microwave them for the same amount of time.

    You can also cool your precooked chicken legs, seal them with a vacuum sealer, and freeze them for later.

    💭 Tips and Variations

    • Keep a batch of chicken seasoning around: This spice mix adds great flavor! I like to keep a batch in my spice cupboard to make this easy recipe any day of the week.
    • Thaw your chicken legs: If you try to air fry frozen chicken legs, the outside will most likely dry out before the inside is fully cooked. For juicy chicken that cooks quickly, always work with thawed chicken legs.
    • Temp your cooked chicken legs: A digital meat thermometer is a must for cooking chicken! Always take the internal temperature of the chicken at the widest section, usually next to the bone. Chicken is cooked when it reaches 165F.
    chicken legs in the air fryer

    🍽️ What can I eat this recipe with?

    Turn this air fryer chicken drumsticks recipe into a complete meal by adding your favorite sides. You can eat it with:

    • Keto Coleslaw Recipe
    • Stir-Fried Brussels Sprouts
    • Instant Pot Kale
    • Sauteed Green Beans and Mushrooms
    • Keto Cauliflower Potato Salad
    • Instant Pot Broccoli

    The best part is that all of these can be prepared while the chicken is in the air fryer. You can also enjoy this fried chicken with ranch dressing, hot sauce, bbq sauce, or buffalo sauce. Delish!

    👩‍🍳 Frequently asked questions

    How long do I cook drumsticks in an air fryer?

    Fresh or thawed drumsticks only need about 18-20 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 400 degrees F. Flip them halfway through the cooking time for crispy chicken legs.

    Can you put raw chicken in an air fryer?

    The air fryer is a great kitchen appliance for cooking a variety of ingredients, including raw meats and chicken. Since the air fryer is essentially a miniature convection oven, you can cook almost anything in your air fryer.

    Should I put oil on chicken before air frying?

    Although air fryers require less oil than regular frying, it's still a good practice to add a little oil to your air fryer chicken recipes for two reasons. First, the oil will help the spices stick to the chicken so that every bite will be delicious. Secondly, the oil will also help the skin crisp up, ensuring you have crispy drumsticks with tender, flavorful meat in every bite.

    📚 Related Recipes

    Check out these other delicious air fryer recipes!

    • Air Fryer Chicken Breast
    • Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
    • Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
    • Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
    • Air Fryer Chicken Wings
    • Air Fryer Cornish Hen
    • Air Fryer Cod

    air fryer chicken legs in a white plate

    📖 Recipe

    air fryer chicken legs in a white plate

    Air Fryer Chicken Legs

    Enjoy these air fryer chicken legs with crispy skin and delicious dark meat in every bite. Coated in my homemade chicken seasoning, these juicy chicken drumsticks are full of delicious flavor and will become a new family favorite!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin SaveSaved!
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 297kcal
    Author: Tayo Oredola

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 6 chicken legs
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon chicken seasoning or 2, for large drumsticks

    Instructions

    • Preheat the air fryer to 400F.
    • Wash and pat dry the chicken with paper towels, then place them in a large bowl.
      6 chicken legs
    • Drizzle olive oil on chicken legs and rub all over with the spices.
      1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon chicken seasoning
    • Arrange the chicken legs in the air fryer basket on a single layer. Do not overcrowd.
    • Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
    • Add 2-3 minutes to each side if you have very large chicken legs.

    Notes

    • Keep a batch of chicken seasoning around: This spice mix adds great flavor! I like to keep a batch in my spice cupboard to make this easy recipe any day of the week.
    • Thaw your chicken legs: If you try to air fry frozen chicken legs, the outside will most likely dry out before the inside is fully cooked. For juicy chicken that cooks quickly, always work with thawed chicken legs.
    • Temp your cooked chicken legs: A digital meat thermometer is a must for cooking chicken! Always take the internal temperature of the chicken at the widest section, usually next to the bone. Chicken is cooked when it reaches 165 degrees F.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.4g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 302mg | Potassium: 265mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 119IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. baltisraul says

      January 13, 2024 at 8:19 am

      I'm sorta new to the air fryer game and I have a question. I have an Instant Vortex model and have used it a lot in the last 6 months. Most every recipe states to turn the food about half way thru. I have never done that and the dishes come out just great. Is it the model I have or could the food come out even better if I turned them, which does not seem possible to me and my family and friends.

      Reply
      • Tayo Oredola says

        February 04, 2024 at 12:49 am

        I like to turn the food when cooking meat or chicken just to make sure both sides are well done. I don't always turn it when making veggies or small pieces of food.

        Reply
    2. Audrey says

      December 05, 2023 at 8:06 am

      5 stars
      Super flavourful. The chicken spice mix is perfectly balanced and the four thighs & six drumsticks I used came out perfectly crispy on the outside, while super moist on the inside. I air fried these in my Ninja Foodi 5 grill at 360° for 25 minutes. Thank you Tayo, for sharing this delicious recipe, along with all the helpful tips and beautiful pics. You site is full of wonderful, very tasty and much appreciated recipes!

      Reply
      • Tayo Oredola says

        December 29, 2023 at 7:22 pm

        Aww thanks so much Audrey. Your comment made my day!

        Reply
    5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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