Air Fryer Chicken Legs is an inexpensive and simple recipe to make in your air fryer. Seasoned perfectly, this chicken will come out of the air fryer with crispy skin and juicy, tender meat. Your family will eat this up!
AIR FRYER CHICKEN LEGS RECIPE
Chicken legs are one of those cuts of meat that are always inexpensive at the grocery store, but often we don't exactly know what to do with them to make them really delicious.
This Air Fryer Chicken Legs recipe is the only one you need from now on. It's perfectly seasoned with a smoky, salty spice blend, and cooked to perfection.
INGREDIENTS IN AIR FRYER CHICKEN LEGS
Chicken Drumsticks - This recipe makes between 5 and 8 pieces of chicken, depending on how big they are.
Olive Oil - oil keeps the spices stuck to the chicken and helps everything to get nice and crispy.
Kosher Salt - Well seasoned chicken is what we're aiming for here.
Italian Seasoning - This blend of Italian herbs has all of the necessary flavor notes.
Garlic Powder - for a savory, garlicy flavory.
Smoked Paprika - Paprika adds color and warmth, and smoked paprika goes the extra mile while also adding a smoky flavor.
Onion Powder - This sweet and pungent dehydrated onion adds big flavor to our chicken.
Black Pepper - Always adds the perfect amount of mild heat.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP!
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER CHICKEN LEGS
- Preheat the air fryer as directed in the recipe, per your manufacturer's instructions.
- Meanwhile, combine spices in a small bowl and set aside.
- Place chicken drumsticks in a plastic zipper bag. Add olive oil and toss to coat.
- Add spice mixture to the bag and toss to coat.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil, then place the drumsticks inside and cook as directed.
- Flip halfway through cooking time and then continue cooking until chicken is done.
These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the recipe below.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH AIR FRYER CHICKEN LEGS
These air fryer chicken legs are such a versatile meal - they can hold their own with many different side dishes. Enjoy them with your favorites.
I like to serve air fryer chicken legs with a vegetable, like Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts or Air Fryer Green Beans.
These Air Fryer Potatoes would fit the bill too!
If you're looking to make a really great BBQ style meal, serve this dish with a cold salad, like this Amish Style Potato Salad.
HOW LONG TO COOK CHICKEN LEGS IN THE AIR FRYER
This will vary based on your style and type of Air Fryer, but in my testing, it took approximately 25 minutes.
It will also depend on how you like your chicken legs cooked. I like to give them some extra time in the air fryer to get really crispy skin.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure that your chicken legs are at least 165F. That's how you know that they are done.
CAN I STACK CHICKEN LEGS IN THE AIR FRYER
As with most things we make in the air fryer, we want to make sure that there is space around our chicken legs so that the hot air can circulate and the skin can get crispy. For that reason, we do not want to stack up the chicken in more than one layer. If at all possible, you don't want your chicken legs touching each other at all.
If needed, do two batches to cook your chicken.
ARE CHICKEN LEGS HEALTHY?
This depends on what you're going for! This recipe for air fryer chicken legs is keto friendly and low carb. Wanting to reduce fat or calories? You can remove the skin from the chicken legs after cooking. Overall, chicken legs are a great addition to a healthy, varied diet.
The recipe should work in other air fryers. This recipe was created and photographed in a Hamilton Beach Air Fryer.
If you have an OVEN STYLE air fryer, you may need to add 1-3 minutes of additional cook time.
Keep in mind that each air fryer runs differently, it is important to check your food often.
MORE AIR FRYER CHICKEN RECIPES TO TRY
Did you know that you can make a Whole Chicken in the Air Fryer? It's perfect for serving as is, or using for meal prep.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings are a great recipe for beginners and super easy to make.
Try this Air Fryer Smoky Chicken Breast recipe for a healthy main dish that's full of flavor.
Meat Air Fryer Resources - We have a Meat/Veg Air Fryer Newsletter, which you can subscribe to here. We also have several Air Fryer Facebook Groups that you can join (see below for links).
Vegetarian Air Fryer Resources – We have a vegetarian air fryer newsletter, which you can subscribe to here. We also have a specific vegetarian air fryer recipes group on facebook.
If you are looking for vegetarian recipes beyond air fryer ones, we have a Vegetarian Newsletter as well as a Vegetarian Recipes facebook group. This newsletter and FB group offers up recipes that on the stove, in the oven, on the grill, in the instant pot and more!
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Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 5-8 Chicken Drumsticks
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- ½ tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees F for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine spices in a small bowl and set aside.
- Place chicken drumsticks in a plastic zipper bag. Add olive oil and toss to coat.
- Add spice mixture to the bag and toss to coat.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil, then place the drumsticks inside and cook for 10 minutes.
- Flip drumsticks and cook for another 10 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Add another 5 minutes of cooking time, until cooked to desired doneness. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Pro Tip: This recipe can be made in the air fryer unit with a basket or the air fryer oven. If you are using the air fryer oven, use the middle rack and select the "Air Fry" function.
- Don't overcrowd the chicken in the air fryer. Allow room for air to flow.
Nutrition
Air Fryers can vary greatly. Please take the time to learn your specific air fryer. You may need to adjust times and temperatures based upon your air fryer. All though this website attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, the information should only be considered an estimate. Varying factors such as different product types, different brands, etc. can change nutritional information. It is your responsibility as a consumer to read all labels to make sure the ingredients fit your dietary needs as well as calculate your own nutritional information as a double check.
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Make this today for lunch! Why not right? I am going to eat the left overs for dinner. Super good Cindy, keep the recipes coming!
Love the idea of making chicken legs in the air fryer! Less mess and healthier too! Perfect recipes, thanks so much for sharing.
I've been loving air fryer recipes lately, and this one sounds so tasty and simple! Thanks for sharing can't wait to make this.
Wow! My chicken legs turned out perfectly crisp and juicy in the air fryer!
These sure do look delicious! I can't wait to give these a try in our air fryer. I have been scared too because I want them crispy but I don't want to over cook them. I will definitely be following this recipe.
Such a gorgeous color on these chicken legs! I love how easily they come together and all the flavor from the spices.