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
- 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.