Air-Frying Chicken Legs: Safe?

Chicken legs are a versatile dish that can be cooked in a variety of ways, but can you cook them in an air fryer? The answer is yes! Air fryer chicken legs are a quick, easy, and healthy way to enjoy juicy and tender meat with a crispy skin. They can be seasoned with a variety of spices and sauces to add flavor and are perfect for a weeknight dinner or a picnic. With an air fryer, you can have delicious chicken legs ready in less than 30 minutes, making them a convenient and tasty option for any occasion.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for chicken legs in an air fryer vary depending on the size of the chicken legs and the model of the air fryer. It is recommended to cook chicken legs in an air fryer at a temperature between 380 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Smaller chicken legs will take closer to 18 minutes to cook, while larger chicken legs will take up to 22 minutes.

When cooking chicken legs in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that they are fully cooked. This can be checked using an instant-read thermometer. If you do not have an instant-read thermometer, it is recommended to invest in one, as it will make cooking chicken legs and other dishes much easier.

Chicken legs should be placed in a single layer in the air fryer basket, skin side down, to ensure even cooking. They should be flipped halfway through the cooking process to ensure that all sides are browned evenly. After flipping, the chicken legs should be cooked for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, depending on their size.

It is worth noting that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the model of the air fryer and the number of chicken legs being cooked. It is always a good idea to keep an eye on the chicken legs while they are cooking to ensure that they do not overcook or burn.

Additionally, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken legs. This helps to ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and results in a crispy skin.

Chicken preparation

Next, you'll want to season the chicken legs. You can use a store-bought seasoning mix or make your own blend. A simple seasoning blend can be made by combining paprika, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. You can also add a tiny pinch of corn starch to your seasoning blend to prevent clumping and help it adhere better to the chicken. If you're looking for crispy skin, it's best to avoid marinades as they can add too much moisture. Instead, drizzle the chicken legs with olive oil and then sprinkle with your chosen seasoning, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated.

Once your chicken is seasoned, it's time to place it in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange the chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. This is important as it allows the hot air to circulate, cooking the chicken evenly. For best results, place the chicken legs skin-side down.

Now, you're ready to start cooking. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken legs, but on average, they will take around 18 to 22 minutes to cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. For smaller chicken legs, you may need closer to 18 minutes, while larger legs may take up to 22 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, flip the chicken legs over to ensure even cooking and browning.

To ensure your chicken is fully cooked, use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature at the thickest point has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don't have a thermometer, you can also cut into the thickest part of the meat to check that the juices run clear.

Once your chicken has reached the desired internal temperature, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your juicy and crispy air-fried chicken legs!

Seasoning and flavouring

Firstly, you should pat the chicken legs dry with a paper towel. This will help the oil and spices stick to the chicken. Place the chicken legs in a large bowl and drizzle with oil. You can use vegetable oil, or olive oil.

Next, you can add your spices. There are many different combinations of spices you can use. A simple blend of salt and pepper will work, but you can also add brown sugar, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard, and a pinch of cayenne for some heat. You can also try other spices such as chili powder, oregano, rosemary, thyme, or celery seed. Mix your spices with the oil and chicken, ensuring the chicken is fully coated.

You can also marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for extra flavour. One recipe suggests adding a tablespoon of vegetable oil and your spice blend to a large zip-top bag, shaking it up, and letting the chicken marinate.

If you want to add sauce to your chicken, it is recommended to wait until the last 2-5 minutes of cooking to add it. BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, ranch, and hot sauce are all popular options.

Finally, don't forget to preheat your air fryer! This will help ensure your chicken gets nice and crispy.

Using an air fryer basket

Using an air fryer to cook raw chicken legs is a quick and easy way to get juicy chicken with a crispy skin. The first step is to preheat your air fryer to 400F/200C. You can then season your chicken legs with a dry rub of spices, such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Some recipes also suggest adding brown sugar, Italian seasoning, or baking powder to the mix.

Once you have prepared your spice mix, coat the chicken legs in a little oil and then toss them through the spice mix, ensuring they are well coated. You can then place the chicken legs into the air fryer basket, being careful to arrange them in a single layer with space between each leg. This allows the hot air to circulate and cook the chicken evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

You can then place the air fryer basket back into the fryer and cook for 8-10 minutes before flipping the legs and cooking for a further 6-10 minutes. The total cooking time will be around 18-22 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken legs. The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165F/74C when a meat thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the leg.

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the basket and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Storing and reheating

Storing your leftover chicken legs is an important step in ensuring they remain edible and safe to eat. It is recommended that you store your chicken legs in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. They will last in the fridge for 3-4 days. If you wish to keep them longer, you can store them in the freezer for up to 2-6 months.

When you're ready to reheat your chicken legs, there are a few methods you can use: an oven, a stovetop, an air fryer, or a microwave. Reheating chicken in the oven is considered one of the best options, as it ensures the chicken is heated evenly and allows the internal temperature to reach 165°F, which is important to kill any bacteria. If you're using an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F and cook the chicken for 5-8 minutes. For the oven, you can follow a similar process as the air fryer, letting the chicken come to room temperature, placing it in a single layer, and cooking for 4-5 minutes.

If you're short on time, you can use a microwave, but this method is better for non-breaded chicken. Place the chicken in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate, with smaller pieces towards the center. You can also add a little water to the dish and cover it with a microwave-safe lid to prevent the chicken from drying out. Set the microwave to 50% power and heat for a longer period.

If you're reheating chicken legs to repurpose them in a new dish, you can cut the meat off the bone and toss it in a hot pan with some olive oil and vegetables. Cook for a few minutes until everything is heated through.

It is important to note that you should only reheat chicken legs once or twice, as repeated reheating can lead to moisture loss and increase the risk of dryness. Consume the chicken promptly after reheating to minimize the time spent in the "danger zone" (between 40°F–140°F), where bacteria can multiply rapidly.

Frequently asked questions