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My kids always fight over who gets the chicken legs. With this Air Fryer Chicken Legs recipe, I can whip up a few batches and keep everyone happy! The bold flavor and crispy air-fried skin are totally unbeatable.
A Reader’s Review
Best chicken ever and so easy.
Crispy, Juicy, Totally Addictive- Here’s Why!
- Crispy, juicy perfection: The air fryer locks in moisture while crisping the skin! You won’t have any soggy spots or dry meat with this recipe.
- Frees up your oven: By using the air fryer for the chicken, you keep your oven open for sides like Funeral Potatoes or potato wedges.
- Bad Weather? Get that grilled-like finish without stepping outside! The air fryer does the work in a fraction of the time, and you don’t even have to worry about the weather!
Ingredients Needed
- Can I use wings or thighs? Yes, you can. However, cooking times will vary. Wings cook faster while thighs will take slightly longer.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Legs
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.
- Prep Chicken: Pat the chicken legs with a paper towel to dry, then add them to a medium-sized bowl.
- Make Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine paprika, Italian seasoning, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the Chicken: Add the olive oil to the bowl of chicken and sprinkle with the seasonings, and toss until fully coated.
- Cook: Place the chicken legs in the basket of the air fryer, then cook at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Flip after 10 minutes and continue to cook for 7-8 more minutes until no longer pink and the internal temperature is 165°F.
Tips for Air Fryer Drumsticks
- Know Your Air Fryer: Temps and cook times vary by model. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken legs reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Cook in batches if needed. Leave space between legs so air circulates and crisps evenly.
- Let It Rest: Resting locks in juices and keeps the meat tender. Even just a few minutes makes a big difference.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4–5 days.
- Freeze: Freeze for up to 3–4 months. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheat: Warm them up in the microwave or pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes to revive that crispy skin.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Legs
If you’re looking to make this a complete meal, these crispy chicken legs would be perfect served with Beans, Corn Casserole, Brussels sprouts, or Potatoes. Here are a few more ideas.
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Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 4-6 chicken legs
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Pat 4-6 chicken legs with a paper towel to dry. Add them to a medium-sized bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper.
- Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the bowl of chicken and sprinkle with the seasonings, and toss until fully coated.
- Place the chicken legs in the basket of the air fryer. Cook at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Flip after 10 minutes and continue to cook for 7-8 more minutes until no longer pink and the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I am having a hard time with the time to cook the legs are really thick and sometimes it’s longer like a lot longer than 18 min
Each air fryer can cook a little differently. You can adjust the cooking time to be a bit longer to work with yours!
I have a Power XL air fryer & my husband says it didn’t come with a basket. I only have the wired removable “shelves”. Can I cover them with foil to help avoid a mess? I don’t have the manual either, so I’m trying to learn how I can use the fryer. What brands of fryers come with a basket? I haven’t found one available for a Power XL & would love to have that option!
thanks
Not all air fryers have a basket. I too have the power XL and it has shelves which hold more food than the basket style fryers. This is exactly why I bought it as opposed to the basket style. Put foil on the bottom tray to catch any drippings, but I wouldn’t put it on each shelf as it may restrict the heat circulation.
Alyssa-I assume this recipe work for wings, too? Maybe a bit shorter cook time. I’m going to try it as we recently purchased a large bag of wings from Costco.
I just discovered your website minutes ago and am anxious to try out your stuff. I think it was the lumpias on FB that caught my eye first.
Thanks for the tips!! Yes, it will work for wings! The cook time will be less so just keep an eye on them. Also, the Lumpia is a MUST try!
If you dont get your current one to work properly, Costco sells the xl with dual baskets! That’s what I use and it’s great. It actually fits 2 full chickens at a time of you want. It gives the choice to use both at once- or just one side. You can also do different functions and temps on each side so I do meat in one and veggies in the other and you can tell it how to cook each one then tell it to be done at the same time and the machine will do it so they finish together
I have a powerxl that I bought from Sam’s club that has a basket.
Do you keep the chicken directly in the basket or do we need to layer it with the aluminium foil? Please let me know.. By the way loved the recipe.. Looking forward to trying it..
I put the drumsticks directly onto the basket! Let me know how it turns out for you!
If I’m cooking 12 drumsticks in a countertop air fryer do I cook them longer on each side or will they be done in the same time as the instructions say?
Cook them as per the instructions. Don’t layer your drumsticks on top of each other, or they will cook unevenly. Make sure to do smaller batches so that the drumsticks arent touching in the air fryer. Let me know how they turn out!
DO I use the grill plate for this recipe?
I would if you have one, but it’s not necessary.
I’ve tried several other recipes, some were good, some not so good. Made this tonight. Recipe was simple compared to the others I tried. Honestly wasn’t expecting too much. About 5-10 minutes into cooking had everyone in the house coming to the kitchen asking how much longer. Followed recipe exactly and everyone loved it. Usually have leftovers, but not tonight! With such few indigents, it packed a lot of flavor. Definitely a keeper.
The simplest and yet the best air fried chicken recipe I have tried. And I have tried many, all great but this one is a the top of the list. Did not deviate from your recipe. Thank you!
Does cooking time apply to a full size oven with the air fryer setting? I have an LG full size range with this option. It has been a challenge, seems different then a small counter top appliance.
You should still be able to use this recipe to cook it in an oven with an air fryer setting!
Great, great, great! First time using my air fryer and this was the perfect trial recipe for me. But, it was so good, I will be making this as often as possible. (I will however use a little less salt, as I also used smoked paprika – my bad.) The spices were well blended, and my husband loved it – he said I didn’t cook enough of it. Thank you!
My bad too..I actually used 1 t smoked paprika 1 t paprika..instead of salt & pepper..I used “Papa Joe’s Salt”..has a little of both..just a thought I’d pass along!:-)
This recipe is the best. Crispy and tasty. Will definitely use it again. I think the brown sugar is the key
Made it tonight! Half in oven, half in air fryer, legs and thighs cut in half. Had to cook a bit longer in both cases, but both were great, air fryer seemed less hassle.
Thank you for your recipe. First time cooking I. The air fryer
First time with the air fryer? This is a great recipe to get you hooked! 🙂
Thank you! This is so easy and quick to prepare. Most importantly it is tasty ?
It’s so tasty!!
Am making tonight. Very excited to try.
My diet does not allow brown sugar.
Would the recipe work if I use all ingredients minus the brown sugar?
I haven’t tried that before! The brown sugar does bring a delicious element to the recipe. If you try it without and it turns out, let me know!
Thank you for the cooking tips
These turned out amazing! I have been recommending to all my family and friends. I never really loved the drumstick, mainly favored other cuts, but now my mind has been changed. Thank you!!
Norway here – just tried your recipie in my new Ninja Foodi fryer and I made a batch up exactly as described and I have to say they were the best ever.
Also tastes great with a Pinapple,Habanero & Rum spice mix!