The Best Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Name: The Best Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 8 Chicken Legs; 1 tsp Paprika; 1 tsp Garlic Powder; 1 tsp Onion Powder; Salt and Pepper (to taste); 1 - 2 tbsp Olive Oil; 1/4 cup Honey; 1/2 cup Barbecue Sauce; 1/4 cup Hot Sauce; 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce (or Apple Cider Vinegar)

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These air fryer chicken legs are marinated, seasoned and cooked to crispy perfection. Slather them with a quick BBQ sauce for an easy family dinner that’s full of mouthwatering flavour.

If you want to make more chicken air fryer recipes, check out my Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken next!

Chicken Legs in Air Fryer
Here’s Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Ingredients
How to Cook Chicken Legs in Air Fryer
Other Ways to Season Your Air Fryer Drumsticks
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken
Tips
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Interested in more Easy Chicken Recipes? Check These Out!
The Best Air Fryer Chicken Legs Recipe

Chicken Legs in Air Fryer

Nothing beats a good air fryer recipe and these BBQ chicken legs are one of my go-to recipes. Air frying takes less oil than baking or frying. And there’s no need for flour when the skin gets perfectly crispy with the concentrated heat.

The key is cooking the drumsticks until the skin is crispy, then coating them in a sticky, spicy barbeque sauce. Pop them back in so they can caramelize. With juicy, succulent meat just beneath the saucy surface, the whole family will enjoy!

Here’s Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Quick Cooking Time: Once you pop the chicken in the air fryer, it’s ready in just 30 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight dinner.
Affordable: Chicken legs are great for budget purposes, and the marinade is made with everyday ingredients you already have in your pantry. As for that tantalizing sauce, it’s an easy combination of some staple condiments.
Super Flavourful: Speaking of the BBQ sauce, it’s sweet, spicy, sticky, and SO satisfying, You’ll definitely be licking your fingers with this one!

Ingredients

Chicken Legs: Use bone-in, skin-on drumsticks.
Seasoning: I use a bold, savoury mix of paprika, garlic powder and onion powder with salt and pepper to taste.
Olive Oil: This helps the seasoning stick to the skin and encourages the chicken to brown and crisp up.

Barbecue Sauce

Honey: This thickens the sauce and adds a sweet element to balance the spicier ingredients.
Barbecue Sauce: Use your favourite sauce.
Hot Sauce: Add this for a kick of spicy flavour.
Worcestershire Sauce: Add this or apple cider vinegar for depth of flavour. Both add a tangy taste but Worcestershire sauce adds a savoury umami flavor, while apple cider vinegar adds a pop of bright acidity.

seasoned chicken legs in air fryer basket.

How to Cook Chicken Legs in Air Fryer

In a large bowl, add the chicken legs with a drizzle of olive oil then season with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss until they are evenly coated with the seasoning. Let the chicken legs marinate for at least 30 minutes to an hour in the refrigerator.
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the chicken legs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken legs in batches.
Air fry the chicken legs for 25-30 minutes, flipping at the halfway point., or until they are golden brown
Remove chicken legs from basket and pour half the prepared barbecue sauce over the chicken legs and toss them gently to coat. Return the sauced chicken legs to the air fryer basket and air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce is caramelized and sticky and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Other Ways to Season Your Air Fryer Drumsticks

Chicken Taco Seasoning: This spicy, smoky dry seasoning blend includes chili powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper.
Green Seasoning: This Caribbean marinade is bright and herbaceous. It’s made with green sweet peppers or celery, fresh herbs like thyme and parsley, and aromatics like garlic, ginger and onions.
Jerk Seasoning: Add an island twist to this recipe by using this classic Jamaican spice blend. Want it saucy? Try my Jerk Marinade recipe.
Honey Mustard Dressing: This zesty sauce doubles as a marinade or dipping sauce.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken

Coleslaw: Adding a serving of coleslaw for a refreshing side dish. It tames the heat of the barbecue sauce. Not a fan of mayo? Try this Jamaican Steamed Cabbage instead.
Rice: Chicken and rice is a classic combo so of course it works here. Serve your air fried chicken legs with Jamaican Gungo Peas and Rice or Pumpkin Rice with Coconut Milk.
Fries: Make this a kid-friendly meal by adding some fries. Keep it healthy with homemade baked sweet potato fries. Double points if they’re air fryer fries!

Tips

Remember to preheat the air fryer. It’s always better to add raw meat to a preheated air fryer basket.
Use paper towels to pat dry the chicken legs before applying seasoning. This removes excess moisture so they get as crispy as possible.
Cook the chicken legs to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, although 1 hour is even better.
The key to getting the best results in the air fryer is not overcrowding the basket. Cook in batches if you need to so the chicken cooks evenly.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Once the chicken cools completely to room temperature, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 375°F for 5-10 minutes or until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long do drumsticks take in the air fryer?

Cooking drumsticks in the air fryer takes about 25 minutes. The best way to determine if they’re cooked is by using an instant-read thermometer. Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, it’s ready.

What is the best temperature to cook chicken in an air fryer?

The best temperature for cooking chicken in the air fryer is 375°F. Past that temperature, you risk overcooking the chicken. And with the added sauce, you could burn the chicken if the heat is too high.

How does an air fryer cook chicken so fast?

Air fryers are significantly smaller than ovens. Direct heat circulates in a compact container, which expedites the cooking process.