Air frying chicken legs results in crispy, juicy and flavorful chicken drumsticks and thighs without the mess and unhealthiness of deep frying. With just an air fryer, a few simple ingredients and 15-25 minutes, you can make restaurant-quality chicken legs from the comfort of your own kitchen.
As someone who loves cooking easy weeknight meals for my family I was thrilled when I discovered how simple yet delicious air fryer chicken legs are. Now, chicken legs are a regular on our dinner table because they are affordable cook quickly, and most importantly, are craved by everyone in my household, even my picky eaters!
In this article, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about making foolproof air fryer chicken legs, from how to prepare and season them to air frying tips and serving suggestions By the end, you’ll be an expert on this easy and tasty dish.
How an Air Fryer Works for Chicken Legs
An air fryer is a countertop convection oven that uses super hot air to crisp up the exterior of foods. The rapid air circulation cooks foods fast while ensuring they stay tender and juicy inside.
Air frying is ideal for chicken legs since the hot swirling air crisps up and browns the skin beautifully. It also cooks the meat through while keeping it moist and succulent. And unlike deep frying, air frying significantly cuts down on oil, calories, and messy cleanup.
So if you want crispy chicken legs without having to submerge them in gallons of hot oil, then an air fryer is definitely the way to go!
Ingredients Needed
Air fryer chicken legs only need a handful of ingredients:
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken legs and thighs
- Olive oil or avocado oil
- Seasonings like smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
- Flour (optional for extra crispiness)
That’s it! Simple ingredients and seasonings are all you need to let the air fryer work its magic.
How to Prepare Chicken Legs for Air Frying
Proper preparation is key to getting the best results when air frying chicken legs. Here are some tips:
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning. Excess moisture can make it harder to get crispy skin.
- Try scoring the skin with a knife in a diamond pattern. This helps the seasoning penetrate and speeds up cooking time.
- Toss the legs with oil then rub on your favorite spices. Let it marinate for extra flavor.
- For added crispness, toss the seasoned legs in a bit of flour before air frying. The thin coating further dries out the skin.
Once prepped, the chicken legs are ready to be air fried for deliciously golden results!
Step-by-Step Guide to Air Fry Chicken Legs
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Pat chicken dry and season: Remove excess moisture from the skin then coat all over with oil, spices, and flour if using.
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Preheat air fryer: Heat air fryer to 380°F. This ensures it’s nice and hot to start crisping the skin immediately.
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Arrange chicken legs in basket: Place legs in a single layer, leaving space between each one. Overcrowding prevents even cooking.
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Air fry 15 minutes: Cook for 15 minutes initially. The hot air will quickly brown the skin and cook the meat.
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Flip and air fry 10 more minutes: Flip each leg over and air fry 10 more minutes. This ensures both sides get evenly crispy.
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Check internal temperature: Temperature should reach 165°F. If not done, cook 5 more minutes and check again.
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Let rest 5 minutes then serve: Allowing chicken legs to rest seals in the juices for tender, flavorful meat.
And that’s all it takes for irresistibly crispy, juicy air fryer chicken legs in just 30 minutes!
Handy Air Fryer Tips
- Use foil or parchment paper under chicken legs for easier cleanup
- Avoid overcrowding the basket which prevents proper air circulation
- Add 5-10 more minutes if you want extra crispy skin
- Brush with BBQ sauce or other glazes the last 5 minutes
- Always use a meat thermometer for doneness, not just cook times
Flavor Variations
The simplicity of air fryer chicken legs makes them perfect for all kinds of seasoning blends and marinades.
Here are just a few flavor ideas to try:
- Lemon garlic – Brightens up the chicken
- Italian herb blend – For Mediterranean flavor
- Jerk spices – Infuses heat and aroma
- BBQ or buffalo sauce – For sticky glazed chicken
- Soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger – Asian inspiration
- Ranch seasoning – Zesty and savory
Let your tastebuds guide you and get creative with the seasonings!
Serving Suggestions
These succulent air fried chicken legs pair wonderfully with so many sides:
- Oven fries or sweet potato fries
- Coleslaw, potato salad, or macaroni salad
- Sauteed veggies like broccoli or green beans
- Rice pilaf or baked beans
- Fresh green salad
For a complete meal, serve chicken legs with one or two of your favorite sides and you have an easy dinner ready in under 30 minutes!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
One of the bonuses of air fryer chicken legs is that they keep well for several days.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days
- Reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for 5-10 minutes until heated through
- Can also be reheated in the microwave or oven
- Frozen legs will last 3 months – thaw overnight before reheating
With the right storage, you can enjoy multiple meals from one batch of these yummy air fried chicken legs!
More Flavorful Air Fryer Chicken Recipes to Try
Once you perfect basic air fryer chicken legs, there are lots more flavorful chicken recipes to expand your repertoire:
- Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings – Tossed in your favorite sauce
- Whole Air Fryer Chicken – Juicy and crispy skin
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders – Kid-friendly favorite
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs – So quick and easy
The options are endless with an air fryer! Chicken cooked to crispy, juicy perfection is just minutes away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you air fry chicken legs from frozen?
Yes, frozen chicken legs work in the air fryer but will take 10-15 minutes longer. Thaw first for faster cooking.
Do you need oil to air fry chicken legs?
A little oil helps the chicken get crispy. You can use olive, avocado, or canola oil.
What temperature should chicken legs be when done?
Chicken legs are safely cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
How long does it take to cook chicken legs in an air fryer?
Most chicken legs take 15-25 minutes in an air fryer set at 380°F, depending on size.
What spices can I use to season chicken legs?
Garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, cumin, and chili powder are all tasty spices for chicken.
Enjoy Tender, Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Legs Tonight!
Air frying chicken legs makes it so easy to cook up an incredibly flavorful dinner any night of the week. With my step-by-step guide and air frying tips, you’ll be able to achieve that sought-after crispy skin and succulent meat without messy deep frying.
Let your creativity run wild with different seasonings and sauces. Serve these tasty chicken legs with your favorite sides and you have a complete meal in under 30 minutes. I hope you and your family enjoy this simple yet impressive dish as much as mine does! Now grab your air fryer and whip up a batch of these mouthwatering chicken legs today.
Air Fry at 380° for 20-25 Minutes
Cooking the chicken quarters is super simple. Spray a little non-stick cooking spray in your air fryer basket or tray (middle position for tray style air fryers), place the chicken in and set to air fryer at 380°(F) for 20-25 minutes, or an internal temperature of 165°F – 185°F, flipping hallway through cooking time.
One of the great things about dark chicken meat is that you can overcook it. And actually, it’s a good thing to overcook it a bit! You see, when the internal temps start reaching about 180°F, there’s additional collagen breakdown, making the chicken even more juicy and tender.
Be sure to start with the skin side down, then flip so the skin is up for the final half of the cooking process. That will make the skin nice and golden crispy.
Let rest and serve
When the chicken is done, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. When you let chicken rest after cooking, it allows the juices to settle back throughout the meat. Cutting into it too soon causes those juices to run out, making the chicken drier. So, resting it ensures each bite is juicier.
To store cooked air fryer chicken quarters, let them cool and then place in air-tight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days.
To reheat, place in the air fryer at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until heated to 165°F internal temperature.
It can, as long as everything fits comfortably in your air fryer. We do not want to stack the chicken and we also want some space between each piece.
Patting the chicken dry with paper towels is essential for getting crispy skin. Make sure to do so prior to adding the oil and spices. Also, larger oven-style air fryers can take a little longer to cook. Make sure to always check the internal temp of the meat for best results.
Not at all. But, if you want a little zing, you can add about ¼tsp cayenne for a touch of heat.