These Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer will be your new favorite recipe!

Get that perfectly fried chicken exterior and inner juiciness with less fat and hardly any mess. Make this uber-easy chicken skinless or skin-on and let the air fryer do its magic. Chicken legs are economical and super flavorful, too! Why not air fry a double batch?

Cooked Air Fryer Chicken Legs on a plate

Best Chicken Legs Recipe

  • A chicken leg (AKA a chicken ‘quarter’) consists of a thigh and the attached drumstick which makes them perfect for a hearty main dish or shredded in tacos, casseroles, salads, or wraps!
  • Lightly seasoned and cooked to crispy perfection, air-fried chicken legs can be made in advance and used all week long!
  • Low-cal and keto followers will enjoy the crispy, seasoned skin and juicy dark and white meat sections cooked without additional fat.

Ingredients to make Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Ingredients & Variations

CHICKEN LEGS Choose portions that are fresh and clean-smelling with skins intact.

Raw, fresh chicken is always best but frozen pieces can be used by simply adding a few extra minutes in the air fryer! Separated drumsticks, thighs, and breasts can also be used, simply adjust cook times and power.

SEASONING Many store brands of chicken seasoning are too salty, this DIY chicken seasoning blend lets you customize the ingredient amounts. Make a southwestern-style chicken for tacos and burritos with a homemade taco seasoning! Or spice it up like with these cajun chicken thighs!

Seasoned raw chicken legs in an air fryer basket

How Long to Cook Chicken Legs in Air Fryer?

Have juicy tender chicken legs on the table in under 35 minutes!

  1. Oil and season chicken legs.
  2. Cook in a single layer in the air fryer basket (per the recipe below). 
  3. Flip after 20 minutes and continue cooking until a meat thermometer reaches 165°F. The skin should be crispy brown and the meat should be juicy and tender.

PRO TIP: Leftover melted bacon grease is a tasty substitute for olive oil!

Make the air fryer pull double duty and serve chicken legs with air fryer butternut squash, mushrooms and asparagus, and some roasted garlic & rosemary potatoes.

Cooked chicken legs in an air fryer basket

Tips for Crispy Chicken Legs

  • To help the chicken seasoning stick to the chicken legs, make sure the outside of each leg is patted dry. A quarter teaspoon of corn starch can be added as well to the seasoning to help it adhere to the skin.
  • For boneless or bone-in chicken, always check the temperature away from the bone and in the thickest part of the meat. The chicken should temperature at 165°F and will continue to cook a bit once it’s removed from the air fryer.
  • For easy clean-up, season the chicken with oil in a sealed bag and then simply discard the bag.
  • Store cooked chicken legs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer and serve.
  • Serve leftovers in chicken fajitas or enchiladas, or make a delicious chicken salad wrap for an energizing workday lunch.

More Chicken Recipes for the Air Fryer

Cooked Air Fryer Chicken Legs on a plate
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Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Juicy bone in chicken legs with crispy skin.
Prep Time 4 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 34 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients  

  • 3-4 chicken legs skin on, bone in
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 ½ tablespoon chicken seasoning

Instructions 

  • Preheat air fryer to 370°F.
  • Coat chicken legs with olive oil and rub in the chicken seasoning.
  • Place chicken in the air fryer basket skin side down and cook for 20 minutes.
  • Flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Notes

Chicken should reach 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer or the chicken will not crisp properly.
To help the seasoning adhere to the chicken, make sure the outside of each leg is patted dry.
5 from 4 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Nutrition Information

Calories: 622kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 240mg | Sodium: 218mg | Potassium: 556mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 280IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Main Course
Cuisine American

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About the author

Holly is a mom of 4 with a love for all things air fryer! Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making recipes for the everyday home cook!
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