Do you need an easy and tasty dinner? Would you like a crispy and juicy meal on the inside and outside? You have come in the right place. This recipe is an air fry chicken legs recipe and it is a game changer during busy weekends.
One of the best kitchen tricks is to cook chicken legs in the air fryer. It applies hot air in order to render the skin very crispy. You do not need a lot of oil. What is obtained is a healthier version of fried chicken that the entire family would enjoy. It is time to jump down to the simplest method to prepare perfect air fryer chicken legs every time.
Why You Will Love This Air Fryer Chicken Legs Recipe?
The reasons to use your air fry chicken legs recipe are so many. It is not any other kitchen device. It is an ingredient of preparing fantastic dishes without much effort.
- It Is Super Fast: Air fryer takes a much shorter time to cook as compared to a normal oven. You have that golden-brown skin half the time.
- The Skin Gets So Crispy: The hot air is circulated by the potent fan in the air fryer. This forms an ideal crispy skin that is inaccessible when using other chief cooking techniques.
- Light Clean-up: No one would want to clean many pans. All you need to clean with an air fryer is one basket. It is a dream to make a fast clean-up after dinner.
- Healthier Family Meals: You are using less oil and that is why you are making a healthier dinner. You can just feel that it is like a treat, yet it is healthy.
You may also to read :- Best Simple Poha Cutlet Recipe | Healthy and Delicious Snack
What You Need for Simple Air Fryer Chicken Legs?

The first thing to do is to collect your ingredients. Most of them are likely to be found in your kitchen. This is an extremely basic list of ingredients.
For the Chicken:
- 6 to 8 chicken legs (drumsticks)
- 1 Tablespoon of Avocado or Olive oil.
For the Dry Rub:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika is excellent to use)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- (Optional) 1/4 teaspoon of your choice of some herbs, such as thyme or oregano.
It is a simple savory chicken rub. You are able to adjust it to what you like. It is a highly simple seasoning of chicken and in that way, it makes the chicken flavor fantastic.
Your Step-by-Step Air Fry Chicken Legs Recipes
At this point, we would arrive at the business. These are the steps to follow in order to have the best crispy drumsticks. It is a foolproof method.
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Legs
To begin with, remove the chicken legs in the package. Blot them entirely with a paper towel. It is an extremely crucial procedure in crispy skin. When it is a wet chicken, it will just steam rather than become crispy.
Step 2: Make the Flavorful Chicken Rub
Prepare all the dry spices in a small bowl. This is the plain chicken seasoning. Mix it thoroughly to mix all the flavors.
Step 3: Season the Drumsticks
Put the dried legs of chicken in a large bowl. Drizzle the oil over them. Put your hands on top of each of the drumsticks by rubbing the oil over. This assists in sticking the seasoning stick and assists in browning.
Sprinkle the chicken next with the dry rub. Rub the seasoning blend to all the parts of the chicken legs. Ensure that they are well coated to give them a good taste.
Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheating your air fryer is also a good idea. Heat the temperature to 380° F (190 o C) and allow it to warm up through a period of approximately 3 minutes. The preheating of the chicken assists in the chicken beginning to cook so that the end result is crisper.
Step 5: Cooking Chicken Legs in Air Fryer
At this point, be careful to add the chicken legs in the air fryer basket in a single-layered fashion. Do not put them one on top of the other. They require the ability to allow hot air to move. That is the key to well-cooked chicken.
Getting the Cooking Time and Temperature Just Right
The time that you cook may vary slightly, depending on the size of your chicken legs and the type of air fryer you have. This is a trusted guide.
The Best Air Fryer Temperature for Chicken
To achieve optimal benefits, the chicken legs should be cooked at 380F (190C). This is a hot enough temperature that the skin gets crisp but does not get too hot that the outside is burnt before the inside is done.
How Long to Air Fry Chicken Legs?
The overall time of cooking varies between 22 and 28 minutes. You do not have to put it down and leave it. Here is the plan:
- Bake: Have the chicken cooked during the first 15 minutes.
- Flip the Chicken: After 15 minutes, open the air fryer and make each drumstick face up. This ensures that both sides turn brown and crispy.
- Cook Another 7-13 minutes: cook until chicken is cooked. The skin is to be of a deep golden brown and crisp.
How Do You Know When the Chicken Is Done?
What is the most significant thing is to ensure that the chicken is cooked to the end. The most secure method is by using a meat thermometer.
- Check the inside heat Poke the thermometer into the fattest part of the drumstick, not in the bone. It should read 165°F (74°C). When it is so, then your chicken is fully cooked and is safe to consume.
- No Thermometer? In case you are missing a thermometer, stab the chicken with a knife. The running juices must not be pink but clear.
Pro Tips for the Juiciest Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Anyone can follow a recipe. Yet, a professional is aware of some additional tricks. The following are the tips to the best air fryer chicken.
- Thou Shalt Not Pack the Basket: This is the first commandment. In case you have excess drumstick, you should cook in two. You will have crowding with you, soggy, steamed chicken.
- Pat the chicken Dry: It is important to note that moisture is the foe of crispiness. You must ensure that you dry your chicken well first then add oil and seasoning.
- Let the Chicken Rest: Once chicken legs are cooked remove them out and allow the legs to rest 5 minutes then eat. This allows the juices to just rest into the meat and it becomes even juicier and tender.
What to Serve With Your Crispy Air Fryer Drumsticks
This simple chicken meal is accompanied by almost any side. The following are some of the suggestions of a complete meal:
- Classic Sides: Macaroni and cheese, corn on the cob or creamy mashed potatoes.
- It can be made lighter: a new green salad, green beans that are steamed or broccoli that is roasted.
- To dip: Your favorite sauces such as barbecue sauce, ranch dressing or honey mustard.
Final Thoughts on This Air Fry Chicken Legs Recipe
This Air fry chicken legs recipe is a winner in the air frying. It is easy, quick and it always leaves you with a tasty product. This will be a staple in your dinner table with the crispy skin and the juicy meat. It is a family meal that is healthy and not compromised on any flavor.
Then, get your air fryer and cook this recipe. You will be surprised to know that you will not find it difficult to prepare a restaurant quality meal at the comfort of your home. Happy cooking!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is oil required in the air fryer?
A: It is not a very big quantity but a little oil is suggested. It is used to hold the seasoning stick and is the actual way of achieving that golden brown crispy skin. In the absence of it, the skin may get tough and leathery.
Q: Are frozen chicken legs possible?
A: Yes it is possible to prepare air fryer frozen chicken legs. There is no necessity to warm them. Simply add some additional 5-8 minutes to the time of cooking. It is always important to ensure that the inside temperature is at 165F.
Q: Is it possible to use another seasoning?
A: Absolutely! This is a tasty chicken rub that is highly adaptable. You may use a seasoning mixture available in the store or you may make one yourself. some lemon pepper or cayenne pepper to add spiciness are also nice.
Q: What is the best way to store and reheat left-over foods?
A: Refrigeration Store any remaining chicken in an airtight container and up to 3 days. To reheat, put them again in the air fryer at 370 F and leave them in it 3-4 minutes to revive the crispiness. The skin will be softened with the microwave.