These skin-on, bone-in air fryer chicken legs are perfectly seasoned with the spices at your fingertips in the kitchen and cooked perfectly.
Their skin crisped to golden perfection with a tantalizing crunch. The aroma fills your kitchen—an irresistible blend of spices like garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and a hint of cayenne. Each bite reveals succulent, juicy meat that’s packed with flavor, perfectly balanced by the crisp, addictive skin.
Table of contents
- What Makes Air Fryer Chicken Legs Great
- What are the Ingredients for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs?
- How to Cook Chicken Legs in Air Fryer?
- Ways to Season Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- Storage Tips for Leftover Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Legs?
- Recommended Tools for Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- Air Fryer Chicken Legs Recipe FAQs
What Makes Air Fryer Chicken Legs Great
Cooking crispy air fryer chicken legs is a game-changer for anyone who loves the irresistible combination of crispy skin and juicy meat.
First off, they come out super crispy on the outside, just like they’ve been fried, but without all that excess oil. Plus, the air fryer cooks them up nice and juicy on the inside, locking in all those delicious flavors. And let me tell you, they’re quick and easy to make – perfect for a busy day when you’re craving some finger-lickin’ good chicken. Not to mention, you can easily customize them with your favorite seasonings or sauces for a flavor explosion. Trust me, once you try air fryer chicken legs, you’ll be hooked!
Crispy Perfection: Traditional frying often leaves chicken soggy or overly greasy, but the air fryer works magic to produce perfectly crisp skin that crackles with every bite. It’s like enjoying the best part of fried chicken without the guilt or mess.
Juicy Goodness: The hot air circulation ensures even cooking, locking in moisture and flavor to create a mouthwatering experience with every bite.
Healthier Option: Compared to traditional frying methods that require a generous amount of oil, cooking air fryer chicken drumsticks significantly reduces the fat content without sacrificing flavor.
Time-Saving Convenience: Cooking chicken drumsticks in air fryer is faster than conventional oven baking. With its rapid hot air circulation, the air fryer cuts down on cooking time, allowing you to enjoy crispy, succulent chicken legs in a fraction of the time it would take using other methods.
Easy Cleanup: The air fryer’s non-stick basket makes cleanup a breeze, requiring little more than a quick wash with soap and water. Even some smart air fryer provides self-cleaning features now.
What are the Ingredients for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs?
All the ingredients are the most common in your kitchen at your fingertips!
Ingredients
- Chicken legs
- Olive oil
- Brown sugar
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked Paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
- Ground mustard
In this recipe, we mixed all those yummy ingredients into a big zip-top bag, drizzled in some veggie oil, and popped in those chicken legs. Give it a good shake, shake, shake, and let it hang out in the fridge. How long, you ask? Well, if you can swing it, let it all mingle for at least an hour. But if you can let it chill overnight, oh my stars, you’re in for a flavor explosion! Trust me, the longer it marinates, the better it tastes.
Equipment
For those delicious air fryer chicken legs, you’ll need your trusty air fryer, a pair of tongs to flip those legs, and a meat thermometer to ensure they’re cooked to perfection. Oh, and don’t forget a brush for any marinade or sauce you might want to slather on during cooking. That’s all you need to whip up some crispy, juicy chicken legs in the air fryer.
The Typhur Dome air fryer is the kitchen tool I use most often. Unlike traditional air fryers, it’s designed with a single-layer cooking surface. This makes it easier to ensure that everything gets evenly heated without worrying about food stacking up and cooking unevenly.
How to Cook Chicken Legs in Air Fryer?
Here is the detailed process of cooking chicken legs in air fryer:
- Prepare the Marinade
In a big zip-top bag, combine the following marinade ingredients: brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and ground mustard. Mix the ingredients until well combined. Next, add the chicken legs to the bag along with the olive oil. Shake it until every piece of chicken legs is coated in that flavorful mixture. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat the Typhur Dome air fryer to 355°F (180°C). This typically takes around 5 minutes.
- Prepare the Cooking Tray
Lightly spray the cooking tray with non-stick spray to prevent the chicken from sticking. Place the marinated chicken drumsticks on the cooking tray and carefully return it to the Typhur Dome.
- Air Fry the Chicken
Allow the chicken to cook at 355°F (180°C) for 15 minutes. After the cooking time is complete, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should register at 165°F (75°C). If needed, continue cooking the chicken in 2-minute intervals until the desired temperature is reached.
- Serve
Carefully remove the cooked chicken from the air fryer and transfer it to a serving plate or tray. We recommend serving these flavor-packed drumsticks with steamed basmati rice and roasted cauliflower for a complete and satisfying meal. Enjoy!
Ways to Season Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs
To make your air fryer chicken leg recipe more presentable, you can season chicken drumsticks in air fryer with the following:
- Classic BBQ Rub: Mix brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and a hint of cayenne for a classic barbecue flavor. Rub the seasoning onto the chicken drumsticks before air frying for a finger-licking good meal.
- Lemon Herb Marinade: Combine lemon zest, minced garlic, chopped fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary, olive oil, salt, and pepper for a bright and refreshing marinade. Let the chicken soak up the flavors before air frying for a zesty and aromatic dish.
- Honey Mustard Glaze: Whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, a splash of apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt for a sweet and tangy glaze. Brush the glaze onto the chicken drumsticks before air frying for a sticky and irresistible treat.
- Spicy Sriracha Sauce: Mix Sriracha sauce with soy sauce, honey, minced ginger, and garlic for a spicy kick. Toss the chicken drumsticks in the spicy marinade before air frying for a fiery and flavorful meal.
Storage Tips for Leftover Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- Refrigeration: Once your crispy air fryer chicken legs have cooled to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Place them in the refrigerator promptly to keep them fresh. Properly stored, leftover chicken legs can last in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
- Separation: To prevent the chicken legs from sticking together, consider layering them with parchment paper or placing them in a single layer in the container or bag. This helps maintain their textures and flavors.
- Labeling: Labeling the container or bag with the date of storage is helpful. This allows you to easily track how long the chicken legs have been in the refrigerator and ensure they are consumed within the recommended time frame.
- Reheating: When ready to enjoy your leftover air fryer chicken legs, reheat them gently to maintain moisture and texture. You can do this by placing them in the air fryer for a few minutes at a lower temperature or by reheating them in the oven at around 350°F (175°C) until warmed.
- Safe Handling: Always practice safe food handling procedures when storing and reheating leftover chicken legs. Make sure to wash your hands and any utensils or surfaces that come into contact with the chicken to prevent cross-contamination.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Legs?
Crispy French Fries
Enjoy crispy French fries alongside your air fryer chicken legs for a deliciously crunchy pairing. Make your fries in the air fryer or opt for store-bought frozen fries for convenience.
Get the french fries recipe
Smoked Baked Potatoes
These smoked baked potatoes have a crispy, smoky skin and a fluffy, flavorful interior that’s ready to be loaded with your favorite toppings. It’s a side dish anyone can whip up easily and quickly.
Get the baked potatoes recipe
Recommended Tools for Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Typhur Dome Air Fryer
The Typhur Dome Air Fryer is the ultimate tool for crispy air fryer chicken legs. With its large capacity, you can easily fit multiple drumsticks for family-sized meals. Its Dome-shaped design cooks faster and more evenly, ensuring perfectly crispy chicken legs every time.
Take advantage of its self-cleaning mode for hassle-free cleanup. With pre-set air fryer steak mode and access to recipes through the Typhur app, mastering the art of air frying has never been easier.
Typhur InstaProbe Instant Read Thermometer
Ensure perfection with the Typhur InstaProbe Instant Read Thermometer. With a reading speed of less than 0.5 seconds and an accuracy of ±0.5°F, it provides precise temperature readings.
Insert the probe into the thickest part of the chicken leg to ensure they’re cooked to a safe temp for chicken of 165°F. This essential tool ensures your meals are cooked to perfection without any guesswork. Elevate your cooking experience with these high-quality tools from Typhur.
Air Fryer Chicken Legs Recipe FAQs
To air fry chicken legs, cook them for 15-18 minutes at 355°F (180°C). This cooking time and temperature will ensure the chicken legs are cooked through, with a crispy golden-brown exterior.
Deep fry chicken legs for about 12-15 minutes, ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
You can use frozen chicken legs in the air fryer, but it’s essential to ensure they are cooked properly. Thaw the chicken legs completely before cooking to ensure even cooking and food safety.
Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Equipment
- Paper Towels
- Zip-top bag
Ingredients
- 6 chicken legs
- 3 tbs brown sugar
- 1.5 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp ground mustard
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbs olive oil
Instructions
- Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels.
- Add all the dry ingredients to a big zip-top bag and shake to mix them well. Next, add the chicken legs to the bag along with the olive oil. Shake it until every piece of chicken legs is coated in that flavorful mixture. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat the Typhur Dome air fryer to 355°F/ 180°C.
- Place a single layer of these chicken legs in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching. Cook for 15 minutes until the chicken legs are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
- Remove the chicken legs from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes. Serve hot, optionally with a side of your favorite dipping sauce or vegetables.
Nutrition PER SERVING
(Nutrition information is calculated automatically by Spoonacular API and should be considered an estimate.)
