How Long to Cook Bone-In Chicken Legs in an Air Fryer for Perfectly Crispy and Juicy Results
Cooking bone-in chicken legs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious dinner. The air fryer gives the chicken legs a wonderfully crispy skin and keeps the meat incredibly moist and flavorful. With just a few simple steps, you can have perfectly cooked chicken legs ready in 30-40 minutes.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about making bone-in chicken legs in the air fryer, including:
- The benefits of cooking bone-in chicken legs in an air fryer
- Suggested cooking times and temperatures
- Step-by-step instructions for preparing and cooking the chicken legs
- Tips for getting the best results – crispy skin and tender, juicy meat
- Serving suggestions and recipe ideas
Read on for all the details and tips to easily make your best air fryer bone-in chicken legs ever!
Why Cook Bone-in Chicken Legs in an Air Fryer?
Bone-in chicken legs have more flavor than boneless skinless chicken breasts. The bones impart extra chicken flavor to the meat during cooking. The skin gets perfectly crispy in the hot air circulating inside the air fryer.
Other benefits of cooking bone-in chicken legs in an air fryer include:
- Faster cooking time than traditional oven
- Uses little to no oil for crisping the skin
- Chicken stays juicy and tender
- More economical than other cuts like breasts
- Healthier than deep frying chicken legs
Overall, the air fryer gives you all the crispy, juicy deliciousness of fried chicken legs without the mess, excess calories, and time of deep frying.
Suggested Time and Temperature
Most air fryer models recommend cooking bone-in chicken legs at 375°F for 25-35 minutes. However, cooking time can vary slightly depending on the size of the legs and your particular model of air fryer.
Here are some general time guidelines:
- Small legs (3-5 oz): 22-28 minutes
- Medium legs (5-7 oz): 25-30 minutes
- Large legs (7-9 oz): 30-35 minutes
The chicken is fully cooked once the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Be sure to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Preparing Bone-in Chicken Legs for the Air Fryer
Proper prep is key for the best results when air frying. Follow these steps:
- Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels. Make sure they are as dry as possible.
- Season the legs with salt, pepper, spices, herbs, or use a marinade. Make sure seasonings coat the legs evenly.
- Let the seasoned legs sit for 15-30 minutes before air frying for the best flavor infusion.
- Lightly coat the legs with oil or cooking spray to help crisping.
How to Cook Bone-In Chicken Legs to Perfection
Follow this simple process for perfectly cooked chicken legs:
-
Preheat air fryer to 375°F for 3-5 minutes.
-
Arrange legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd.
-
Cook for 25-35 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check for doneness at 25 minutes.
-
Chicken is done when skin is crispy and golden brown and internal temp reaches 165°F.
-
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips for the Best Results
-
Don’t overcrowd the basket which prevents proper air circulation. Cook in batches if needed.
-
Brush legs with oil or spray for increased crispiness.
-
Flip halfway for even cooking and browning on both sides.
-
Use meat thermometer to confirm doneness; temp must reach 165°F.
-
Let chicken rest before serving so juices redistribute.
-
Add roasted veggies the last 10 minutes for an easy side.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
The crispy, juicy chicken legs pair well with so many sides and flavors. Consider serving them with:
-
Roasted potatoes – toss potatoes with oil and seasonings and roast in air fryer.
-
Coleslaw or broccoli salad – bright, fresh flavors complement the chicken.
-
Rice or quinoa – soak up the delicious juices.
-
Dipping sauces – honey mustard, BBQ sauce, ranch, etc.
Get Creative with Seasonings and Sauces
The air fryer lends itself to all kinds of flavor profiles. Feel free to get creative with herbs, spices, marinades and sauces:
-
Italian – rosemary, oregano, garlic, basil, Parmesan
-
Mexican – cumin, chili powder, lime, cilantro, avocado sauce
-
BBQ – sweet and tangy barbecue sauce glaze or dry rub
-
Asian – sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, honey
-
Indian – garam masala, curry, cilantro, mango chutney
-
Mediterranean – lemon, olive oil, oregano, feta
Let Your Imagination Run Wild!
As you can see, cooking juicy, crispy bone-in chicken legs in the air fryer is quick and easy. In just 25-35 minutes, you can have a delicious, flavorful dinner ready with little effort.
Follow the tips above for perfect results every time. And don’t be afraid to add your own twist with creative seasonings and sauce options. Enjoy your fabulous air fried chicken!
Air Fryer Chicken Legs Recipe Tips
In this part, we will share some tips to help you make air fried chicken legs successfully during the cooking process.
- Preheat the air fryer. It is better to preheat the air fryer if you want to get extra crispy chicken legs.
- Pat the chicken legs dry. It is essential to dry the washed chicken legs with paper towels before putting them into the air fryer. It helps remove the water and stick the seasonings together.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer. Leave some space between the bone-in chicken legs in the air fryer to avoid them being unevenly cooked.
- Flip the chicken legs. Flip the chicken legs halfway during the cooking process. This will help the air fryer cook bone-in chicken legs evenly.
- Check the temperature. Check if the chicken legs are done to avoid them being overcooked or undercooked.
How to Cook Chicken Legs in Air Fryer?
After all the ingredients are prepared, its time to cook chicken legs in the air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to air fry chicken legs.
- Wash and dry the chicken legs in the bowl, and add a little bit of oil to them.
- Mix all the dry ingredients together and spread these seasonings evenly on the chicken legs. Then marinate the seasoned chicken legs in the refrigerator for about 1 hour.
- Put the marinated chicken legs in the air fryer. Set the air fryer settings at 400 degrees F for 18–20 minutes. Flip the chicken legs halfway during the cooking process.
- Take a look at the chicken legs and check the temperature with the thermometer. If the internal temperature of chicken legs reaches 165 degrees F, they are considered safe for eating.
- Remove the chicken legs from the air fryer and rest them for a few minutes. Then you are able to eat them.
To enjoy a healthy meal, you can serve the air fried chicken legs with a salad, baked potatoes, roasted vegetables, coleslaw, and more. Of course, you can use this recipe to air fry chicken wings, air fry chicken thighs, air fry drumsticks, and more.
How I Mastered Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks (what I did)
FAQ
How long do you cook drumsticks in the air fryer?
Air fry them for 12 minutes on the first side. After 12 minutes, flip the drumsticks over and air fry for another 10 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 175°F. Using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature is the best way to ensure the chicken is fully cooked.
How do you cook bone in chicken legs in the air fryer?
- Preheat air fryer to 370°F.
- Pat chicken dry with a paper towel. …
- Place the chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, skin side down, and cook for 20 minutes.
- Flip the legs over and cook an additional 5-10 minutes or until the legs reach 165°F.
How long to cook bone in chicken legs in air fryer?
The cooking time for bone-in chicken legs in an air fryer typically ranges from 30 to 40 minutes. However, this can vary based on the size of the chicken legs and the specific model of your air fryer. It’s important to cook them until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are fully cooked.
Can you cook chicken legs in an air fryer?
While air fryers produce crispy and golden chicken legs, there is a chance of the meat drying out if cooked for too long. To avoid this, you can brush the chicken legs with a little oil or coat them in a thin layer of cooking spray before placing them in the air fryer. This will help retain the moisture and result in tender and juicy chicken legs.
Can you cook chicken thighs in an air fryer?
Yes, you can. However, cooking times will vary. Wings cook faster while thighs will take slightly longer. Air fryer chicken legs are as simple as seasoning the chicken and pushing a couple of buttons! You get that irresistible crispy skin without deep frying. They’re delicious, fast, and mostly guilt-free.
How long do you cook chicken in an air fryer?
Add chicken to air fryer and use air fry setting at 380°F for 18-22 minutes, turning chicken halfway through. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165°-185° when checked with an instant-read thermometer. Get the RecipeTeacher cookbook!
Can You reheat chicken legs in an air fryer?
Refrigerate: Leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat: To re-crisp the skin, reheat leftovers in the air fryer. Check out this post on How to Reheat Chicken Legs in an Air Fryer for step-by-step instructions. BBQ Style: Brush your chicken legs with your favorite BBQ sauce in the last few minutes of cooking.
How long does it take to cook bone-in chicken?
Expect a cooking time between 20 and 25 minutes for bone-in pieces like thighs and drumsticks per Buck’s guidance. For boneless cuts like chicken breasts, the meat should be ready in as little as 12 to 15 minutes. The reason bone-in chicken takes longer is because the bone alters how the heat cooks through the poultry.