These Air Fryer Chicken Legs are crispy on the outside, perfectly tender on the inside, and ready in about 20 minutes! They’re perfect for weeknight dinners and are always a crowd favorite.
If you don’t have an air fryer, try making my Roasted Chicken Legs or Grilled Chicken Legs instead. They’re just as delicious and so easy to whip up.
Chicken legs have always been a favorite in my house. They’re just so easy to make and customizable so I can change the seasonings each time and we never get bored.
Thanks to the air fryer, this recipe is hands-off and the chicken legs are ready in under 30 minutes. I just toss them in olive oil and seasonings, give them a flip halfway through cooking, and wait for the timer to go off. It’s that simple.
The result is perfectly cooked chicken that’s juicy and tender with the BEST crispy skin. Your whole family will love this dish with air fryer baked sweet potatoes and air fryer green beans. But this air fryer chicken legs are so versatile, you can pair them with any side dish you like, making this an easy dinner recipe for a busy weeknight!
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken legs — I like to use nice large chicken legs (bone-in) so there’s plenty of meat. And I always leave the skin on for the crispy texture.
- Olive oil — We’ll use just a little bit of oil to help the seasonings coat the chicken. Avocado oil works well here too.
- Seasonings — I’m using a mix of paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Feel free to change the spices to your liking.
Are Chicken Legs Dark Meat?
They sure are! Chicken legs, also called chicken drumsticks, are considered dark meat, along with chicken thighs. This cut of meat is incredibly juicy and packed with nutrients like iron and zinc. Plus, it’s typically very affordable, easy to find, and easy to cook with.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Step 1: Combine the olive oil and seasonings in a large bowl.
Step 2: Evenly coat the chicken legs with the seasoning mixture.
Step 3: Arrange the chicken legs in a single layer in your air fryer.
Step 4: Air fry at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Olivia’s Recipe Tips
- An instant-read thermometer is the best tool to determine when the chicken legs are done. You can take them out when the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before seasoning it. This allows the olive oil and seasonings to stick and makes the skin nice and crispy.
- Be careful not to overcrowd your air fryer basket and work in batches if needed.
- Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This lets the juices redistribute and keeps the meat super juicy.
Switch Up The Seasonings
Air fryer chicken legs recipe are so easy to customize depending on what your family likes or what you have on hand. I’ve made this recipe many times with my homemade BBQ seasoning and it always gets rave reviews.
You could also go with a tangy lemon pepper seasoning, herbs de Provence, Greek seasoning, or Cajun seasoning if you like a little heat.
Complete the Meal With your Favorite Sides
Since the air fryer is already preheated, I’ll usually whip up some air fryer broccoli, air fryer asparagus or air fryer Brussels sprouts to round things out. My family also requests these crispy air fryer potato wedges any chance they get (I usually make a double batch of these).
But you can honestly pair this chicken drumsticks recipe with any sides you like. It’s fantastic with classics like mashed potatoes or potato salad.
You can serve it with bbq sauce, aioli sauce, hot sauce, honey mustard or even chipotle sauce as well.
How To Store & Reheat
Once they’ve cooled, store this air fryer chicken drumsticks in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
If you’d rather freeze the chicken legs, they’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just be sure to let them cool completely, then store them in a freezer bag.
When you’re ready to reheat, just pop them back into the air fryer or microwave until they’re warmed through.
If you love these air fryer chicken drumstick recipe as much as we do, be sure to leave a star rating and comment to let me know!
And don’t forget to check out the full collection of air fryer recipes here at Primavera Kitchen.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 chicken legs skin-on
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine olive oil, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and ground black pepper. Stir everything together.
- Add the chicken legs to the bowl and toss them in the seasoning mix until they’re evenly coated.
- Place the chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 22-25 minutes at 400F flipping them halfway through. The chicken should be crispy and reach an internal temperature of 165°F when checked with a meat thermometer.
Notes
- You can let the chicken marinate overnight to let the flavors meld.
- Line your air fryer with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Don’t forget to preheat your air fryer if your model requires it.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?
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This Recipe is a keeper for sure. It was so moist and great flavor, Thank you for helping my easyier in the kitchen.
You’re so welcome! Happy you liked it 😉