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    HOME » Recipes » Poultry

    Published: Aug 3, 2022 · Modified: Oct 7, 2022· This website generates income via ads ·

    Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Chicken legs and air fryers are a perfect pair. The hot air method of "frying" assures that your chicken will be cooked through, leaving you with juicy chicken legs and crispy skin. Try these Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer for the best crispy drumsticks you've ever tasted.

    Chicken drumsticks, bones cleaned  (French) and air fried until golden brown.

    We like to prepare our chicken drumsticks in the French way, by removing the skin on the legs, exposing the bone, and cutting a bit off the top so that the drumsticks stand on end. I first saw this method on social media and the Food Network.

    If you don't have time for all that, this recipe works just as well without the additional prep. Just use chicken drumsticks as-is. Add a couple of extra minutes cook time.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Air Fryer Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Variations of my Air Fryer Chicken Legs Recipe.
    • Need Chicken Wing Recipes?
    • Equipment
    • Perfect Pairings
    • Recipe

    Why You'll Love This Air Fryer Recipe

    • Cooking chicken in an air fryer saves time, calories, and fat, but the easy clean-up and reduced cooking time are the biggest draws for me.
    • Air frying is a game changer for an aging person living alone. My 97 year old Dad uses his constantly. I worry a lot less than if he were using hot grease for frying.
    • Whatever your reason for air frying, if you like juicy chicken drumsticks, you need this great recipe in your list of chicken recipes.

    Ingredients

    All of the ingredients for Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer.
    • Chicken legs - look for medium-large chicken drumsticks, uniformly sized with skin on.
    • Olive oil - Extra virgin is best.
    • Ketchup
    • Lemon
    • Crushed red pepper flakes
    • Paprika - I love Sweet Hungarian Paprika but whatever you have will work fine.
    • Chili Powder - or Cayenne pepper
    • Salt

    Full ingredients list & measurements provided in the recipe card.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Chicken drumstick on cutting board.

    Prepare chicken legs (French) if making lollipop legs. Skip to step 2 if not. See video on procedure.

    Chicken wings and spice and oil in a big bowl.

    Place the chicken legs in a large bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well to cover legs.

    Seasoned uncooked chicken placed into air fryer.

    Place legs in air fryer. Bake for 10 minutes at 370˚F then turn legs over.

    Chicken wings in air fryer, cooked on one side.

    Cook for 10 minutes. Chicken is done when it reaches 165˚F on the inside.

    Variations of my Air Fryer Chicken Legs Recipe.

    • The best way to play around with this easy dinner recipe is to use other chicken parts. Try air fryer chicken breast with the same seasoning just using chicken breasts instead of legs.
    • How about air fryer chicken thighs or a whole chicken.
    • Change up the spice mixture.
    • Add honey or brown sugar for a sweet and sticky skin.
    • Swap out the ketchup for BBQ sauce.

    Need Chicken Wing Recipes?

    If you crave unique, flavorful chickens, look no further.

    Chicken wings on serving tray with garnish.

    Drunken Chicken Wings Recipe

    Chicken wings with sauce, scallions, and star anise in a pan.

    Grandmother's Chinese Chicken Wings

    Equipment

    • Sharp chef's knife
    • Cutting Board
    • Air Fryer
    • Large bowl
    • Paper towels

    Perfect Pairings

    The whole family will love air fry chicken legs with French fries or potato salad. These would be great at a party or in an airtight container inside a cooler at a picnic. Pick them up with your fingers. No utensils needed!

    Recipe

    Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer

    Easy recipe for delicious chicken legs for serving at lunch or dinner. Marinate very quickly and cook in an air fryer. You can prepare the French boned lollipop style drumsticks or cook as-is.
    4.92 from 57 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 35 mins
    Course
    Appetizer
    ,
    Main Course
    ,
    Snack
    Servings 2

    Equipment

    • Sharp chef's knife
    • Cutting Board
    • Air Fryer
    • Large bowl

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 chicken legs
    • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder or onion powder if you add the garlic bulb
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 tablespoon ketchup
    • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
    • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
    • 2 teaspoons olive oil
    • garlic bulb optional

    Instructions
     

    • Wash chicken legs and pat dry with a paper towel. Cut off a phalanx with a sharp knife, make cuts where the flesh and bone are attached. Forcefully pry away the flesh. This will make it easier to eat.
    • Put prepared legs in a bowl and add remaining ingredients. Stir everything together and you're ready to cook.
    • Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If you add a head of garlic, it will be even more flavorful. Bake the legs at 370˚F for 10 minutes.
    • Flip the chicken pieces and cook for another 10 minutes.
    • To check readiness, cut off a piece at the widest part. The juices released should be clear. Safest is to use a meat thermometer to check for internal temperature of 165˚F.
    • Serve the chicken legs hot with rice, vegetables, garlic paste from the roasted garlic bulb.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 519kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 75gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 352mgSodium: 1365mgPotassium: 993mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 313IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 3mg

    Approximate nutrition information is provided as a convenience and courtesy only. You are encouraged to do your own calculations if precise data is required.

    We take every effort to ensure that the estimated meal cost per serving is accurate. We use a meal cost analysis application that estimates the cost of a recipe based on groceries purchased at a Walmart store in my geographical area, northern California.

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Poultry

    • Healthy Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
    • Chicken Under a Brick Recipe for Two
    • Bacon Wrapped Chicken in the Air Fryer
    • Turkey Breast Cutlets in the Air Fryer

    Sharing is caring! Thanks for supporting us!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Erin says

      August 12, 2022 at 8:47 pm

      5 stars
      These look amazing!

      Reply
    2. Nancy says

      August 05, 2022 at 10:58 am

      5 stars
      Nice easy meal in the air fryer. I love minimum cleanups

      Reply
      • Mary says

        August 05, 2022 at 10:59 am

        Don't we all? 🙂

        Reply

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    I am Mary, the blogger behind "Oh That's Good!" I am a former nurse, former hobby farm blogger, former vintage shop owner, and current food blogger. I live with my husband and our little mutt Tucker in a lovely retirement community. I am cooking for two and taking inspiration from old cookbooks, magazines, and memories of watching my mother and grandmother cook. I like reducing my food waste and exorbitant grocery bills! I am busy rewriting my recipes for two servings with the option of adjusting the recipe up to four or six servings with just one click.

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