If you’re looking for a tasty and healthy meal for your family, then you may want to give this delicious air fryer chicken legs recipe a go. This air fryer recipe is super easy to make, leaving you with super crispy chicken skin with tender and succulent meat on the inside.
Best of all, it’s ready in 20 minutes. Once you have cooked chicken legs in the air fryer using this recipe, you’ll never want to cook them another way again – We certainly don’t!
WHY AIR FRYER CHICKEN LEGS
Chicken cooks extremely well in the air fryer. It makes this recipe quick and easy so you can whip it up for your family after a long day while also having a delicious and satisfying meal.
Using an air fryer is also a more healthy option than traditional frying, so you can rest assured that you are cooking a wholesome meal. The air fryer is also perfect for this recipe as it crisps the skin up really nicely and makes the perfect chicken legs and drumsticks.
I’ve made my famous Air Fryer Lamb Chops with Poblano Sauce and it’s a HIT with anyone who tried it! Air Fryer Chicken Wings yields the BEST crispiest wings! And if you’re into fish, then I got you! Air Fryer Fish For Air Fryer Fish Tacos is a must try!
Another great bonus here is the time! Imagine chicken legs cooked in 20 minutes? Succulent, juicy and extra crispy skin on the outside.
Update–due to the success of this recipe, I’ve created this Air Fryer Whole Chicken! MUST TRY!
How To Cook Chicken In The Air Fryer
This is a straightforward and easy recipe, and there is really nothing to it.
Firstly you need to make sure the chicken legs are very dry before cooking them, so pat them dry with a paper towel to get rid of any moisture present. This will ensure that you get crispy chicken.
Next, coat the chicken drumsticks in the spice mix, coat evenly, and then drizzle the oil all over. Mix everything thoroughly.
Now it’s time to fry them using the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees. This is the best temperature for cooking these chicken legs to perfection.
You should be able to fit anything between 6-12 chicken legs in your air fryer at one time, depending on the size of your chicken legs and air fryer.
To cook these drumsticks evenly using the air fryer, you must turn them halfway through the cooking process.
These chicken legs, once cooked, are great served with fries or rice, depending on your preference. They also go really well with salsa and guacamole for a fun and delicious dish. As you can see in the video, some added salad ingredients finish this recipe off beautifully.
TIPS FOR AIR FRYER CHICKEN RECIPE
- While you can use any type of air fryer for this recipe, I have found that the basket air fryers tend to work best to get the most satisfying result with these fried chicken legs.
- Avoid wet rubs and spices such as minced garlic or fresh onion. These ingredients burn in the air fryer, and the result won’t be good.
- Oil is a must here even though the chicken has skin on, the oil adds to the crisping of the skin.
- Make sure to flip the chicken halfway during air frying, so that it cooks evenly.
- Serve the air fryer chicken recipe as it is, with rice, with salsa, salad, avocados, guacamole, pasta, bread, fries or any way you’d like!
How long should I cook chicken legs in the air fryer?
This is a speedy recipe, and it should only take you 20 minutes all together when cooked at 400 degrees turning the drumsticks 10 minutes into cooking.
How to make crispy chicken legs?
To ensure you get crispy skin, you must not miss the step of drying the chicken with a paper towel. Your chicken skin will likely be soggy if you miss this step and nowhere near as satisfying. Also, avoid using wet marinades on the drumsticks as this will have a similar result. Stick to dry spices where you can.
Can you put raw chicken in the air fryer?
Yes, you absolutely can; in fact, cooking this recipe using raw chicken drumsticks is the best way, and you are more likely to ensure the skin crisps up nicely.
Can I cook this recipe without the skin on the chicken legs?
You can, but they likely won’t be anywhere near as nice. You won’t get crispy skin, and the skin protects the inner chicken from drying out and getting burnt. If you’re not a fan of chicken skin, I still recommend cooking these drumsticks with the skin on and taking it off once cooked.
Could I use chicken thighs instead of drumsticks in this recipe?
Yes absolutely. This recipe would work just as well with thighs or whole legs instead of just drumsticks. You should still get a nice crispy skin, and it will still be delicious if you prefer those cuts of chicken.
This is such a great recipe for those days when you need to whip up something quick and easy, but you also fancy something delicious to eat. It’s so simple and has turned into a family favorite for us, and we do it regularly. I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes a regular meal for you also.
You really can’t go wrong with this air fryer chicken legs recipe; it’s definitely worth a try.
CHICKEN RECIPES FOR DINNER
Pan Seared Chicken Breast with Walnut Sauce
Grilled Chicken Breast Skewers
Pecan Crusted Baked Chicken Tenders
Instant Pot Chicken Pasta Dinner
Zaatar Chicken Salad with Fried Halloumi Cheese
Air Fryer Chicken Legs
If you're looking for a tasty and healthy meal for your family, then you may want to give this air fryer chicken legs recipe a go. This air fryer recipe is super easy to make, leaving you with super crispy chicken skin with tender and succulent meat on the inside.
Ingredients
- 12 chicken legs drumsticks
- 1 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon chilli powder
- 1 Tablespoon oregano
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
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Place the chicken in a large bowl
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Make the spice blend separately by combining all the spices in a smaller bowl
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Now pat the chicken dry using kitchen towels. It's essential that the chicken is patted dry before cooking it in the air fryer.
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Toss the dry spice mix over the dried chicken and toss that really well.
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preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
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Place the chicken in a single layer on your air fryer basket.
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Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may do this in two batches.
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after exactly 10 minutes (half way) flip the chicken in the air fryer basket and return it to cook again.
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20 minutes in total and thicken should be ready and cooked with crispy skin.
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Serve the air fryer chicken legs on a plate with lime wedges, avocados, tomatoes and lime wedges if you'd like!
I serve it with my homemade salsa and guacamole to dip!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
TIPS FOR AIR FRYER CHICKEN RECIPE
- Â While you can use any type of air fryer for this recipe, I have found that the basket air fryers tend to work best to get the most satisfying result with these fried chicken legs.
- Avoid wet rubs and spices such as minced garlic or fresh onion. These ingredients burn in the air fryer, and the result won't be good.
- Oil is a must here even though the chicken has skin on, the oil adds to the crisping of the skin.
- Make sure to flip the chicken halfway during air frying, so that it cooks evenly.
- Serve the air fryer chicken recipe as it is, with rice, with salsa, salad, avocados, pasta, bread, fries or any way you'd like!
How long should I cook chicken legs in the air fryer?
This is a speedy recipe, and it should only take you 20 minutes all together when cooked at 400 degrees turning the drumsticks 10 minutes into cooking.
How to make crispy chicken legs?
To ensure you get crispy skin, you must not miss the step of drying the chicken with a paper towel. Your chicken skin will likely be soggy if you miss this step and nowhere near as satisfying. Also, avoid using wet marinades on the drumsticks as this will have a similar result. Stick to dry spices where you can.
Can you put raw chicken in the air fryer?
Yes, you absolutely can; in fact, cooking this recipe using raw chicken drumsticks is the best way, and you are more likely to ensure the skin crisps up nicely.
Can I cook this recipe without the skin on the chicken legs?
You can, but they likely won't be anywhere near as nice. You won't get crispy skin, and the skin protects the inner chicken from drying out and getting burnt. If you're not a fan of chicken skin, I still recommend cooking these drumsticks with the skin on and taking it off once cooked.
Could I use chicken thighs instead of drumsticks in this recipe?
Yes absolutely. This recipe would work just as well with thighs or whole legs instead of just drumsticks. You should still get a nice crispy skin, and it will still be delicious if you prefer those cuts of chicken.
I just bought and air fryer and this is the perfect recipe to test it out. Love chicken legs and the seasonings are spot on. YUM!
These chicken legs look so juicy. Can’t wait to make them!
My family loves chicken legs, and this looks like the perfect recipe. It looks so easy and delicious. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
This chicken looks perfectly cooked and the spices sound amazing. I can’t wait to try it.
Thanks for all the helpful tips! Made these tonight and they came out PERFECT!
Such flavorful chicken legs and I love how easily they come together in the air fryer! Gorgeous styling too with the salsa and avocado.
These chicken legs looks so crispy and delicious! And the dry rub looks delicious too.
I am so happy I tried this in an air fryer I used thighs instead and they were perfect thanks!
These chicken legs turned out absolutely perfectly in the air fryer!! I love how crispy the skin got too!
I love how easy it is to make. Great seasoning too! Yum.