Stacking Chicken Legs In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Chicken legs are a popular dish to cook in an air fryer, and it can be tempting to stack them to fit more in. However, it is generally not recommended to stack chicken legs in an air fryer as it is important to allow the hot air to circulate and cook the chicken evenly. Stacking chicken legs can result in undercooked meat and hinder the air fryer's ability to work properly.

Instead, it is best to cook chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, even if this means cooking in batches. This will ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly and evenly, and will also result in crispier skin.

How to season chicken legs for the air fryer

Air fryer chicken legs are a quick, easy, and fuss-free weeknight favourite. They are healthy, convenient, and take less time than the oven. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to season chicken legs for the air fryer.

Ingredients:

• Chicken legs (about 2 pounds)
• Olive oil
• Paprika
• Salt
• Oregano
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Brown sugar
• Black pepper
• Cayenne pepper (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
• Mix together the paprika, salt, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, and black pepper in a small bowl. You can add a little cayenne pepper to the mix if you like your chicken spicy.
• Place the chicken legs into a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
• Sprinkle the seasoning mixture on top of the chicken legs and toss to coat completely.
• Place the chicken legs inside the air fryer basket, being careful to arrange them in a single layer. It is important not to overcrowd the basket.
• Air fry for about 15 minutes, making sure to flip the chicken legs halfway through.
• Serve immediately with your favourite sides.

Tips:

• Always preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken legs. This will give the chicken a nice crispy skin while keeping it juicy.
• Use bone-in, skin-on chicken legs for the juiciest chicken and crispiest skin.
• Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture from the skin. This helps the oil and seasoning stick better.
• Leave space between each chicken leg so the hot air can circulate and cook the chicken evenly.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F at the thickest point.
• For extra crispy skin, you can increase the temperature to 400 degrees F for the final minutes of cooking time.

Variations:

• Mix up the flavours with different seasoning blends such as Cajun, Italian, or curry.
• Add a glaze by brushing with BBQ sauce or honey mustard in the last few minutes of cooking.
• Swap whole chicken legs or quarters for drumsticks.

How to stack chicken legs in an air fryer without racks

Stacking chicken legs in an air fryer without racks is not recommended as it can hinder the cooking process. However, if you wish to do so, here is a guide on how to stack chicken legs in an air fryer without racks:

Preparation:

• Ensure your chicken legs are at room temperature before cooking. Take them out of the refrigerator at least 20 minutes beforehand.
• Avoid using too many herbs as they can burn quickly in the air fryer and affect the flavour of your chicken legs. Dried thyme and rosemary are good options.
• Slightly coat the chicken legs with a neutral oil like sunflower or canola, or brush them with melted butter.

Stacking the Chicken Legs:

• Place the chicken legs in the air fryer basket, arranging them so they are not overcrowded. Leave as much space as possible between the meatier parts of the legs.
• Do not stack the chicken legs directly on top of each other. Instead, try to create a single layer, allowing proper airflow and even cooking.
• If your air fryer is large enough, you may be able to fit 8-10 pieces of chicken legs without stacking.

Cooking:

• Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature, usually between 380-400°F (190-200°C) for chicken legs.
• Cook the chicken legs for around 15-25 minutes, depending on their size.
• Flip the chicken legs halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check if the chicken legs are cooked. They should have an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74-75°C) at the thickest point.

Remember that stacking chicken legs without racks can result in uneven cooking and increased moisture in the air fryer. For best results, it is recommended to use racks or cook the chicken legs in batches.

How to prepare chicken legs for stacking in an air fryer

Preparing chicken legs for stacking in an air fryer is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to ensure optimal cooking and flavour. Here is a guide on how to prepare chicken legs for stacking in an air fryer:

Defrosting and Temperature:

First, ensure your chicken legs are defrosted. Frozen chicken will release too much water, which can hinder the air fryer's ability to cook properly. It is also recommended to let the chicken legs sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking.

Seasoning:

You can season your chicken legs with a variety of spices and herbs, such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix your chosen seasonings in a small bowl, and then coat the chicken legs with the mixture. For a more intense flavour, you can marinate the chicken in the seasoning for at least an hour or even overnight.

Oil:

Coating the chicken legs with a small amount of oil, such as olive oil or vegetable oil, will help the seasoning stick to the chicken and promote a crispy skin.

Racks:

To stack chicken legs in an air fryer, it is best to use racks to ensure proper airflow and even cooking. Air fryer racks are typically made of stainless steel and can be placed in the air fryer to add multiple levels or "floors". Racks are especially useful if you are cooking for a larger group or want to avoid batch cooking.

Cooking:

When cooking the chicken legs, preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, which is typically between 380-400°F (190-200°C). Place the chicken legs in the air fryer basket or on the racks, ensuring they are not overcrowded and have sufficient space between them. Cook for about 15-25 minutes, flipping the chicken legs halfway through the cooking time.

Checking Doneness:

To ensure your chicken legs are cooked through, you can use a kitchen thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 165°F (74-75°C). Alternatively, you can cut into the thickest part of the meat to ensure it is no longer pink.

By following these steps, you can prepare and stack chicken legs in your air fryer for a delicious, crispy, and juicy meal.

The best air fryer accessories for stacking chicken legs

While it is not recommended to stack chicken legs in an air fryer, there are a few ways to cook multiple chicken legs at once. The best way to do this is to use an air fryer oven, which comes with its own racks, allowing you to cook multiple chicken legs at once. If you don't want to buy an air fryer oven, you can also buy racks separately to add to your existing air fryer.

Air fryer oven

The 26 QT Digital Maxx Air Fryer is a good option for an air fryer oven. It has a 26-quart capacity, multiple rack levels, and can fit up to 18 chicken legs at once. It also comes with nine accessories, including an air frying basket, baking tray, air rack, crumb tray, bacon tray, steak tray, rotisserie spit & forks, rack handle, and rotisserie handle.

Air fryer racks

If you don't want to buy a whole new air fryer, you can buy racks separately. The best racks for stacking chicken legs are made of stainless steel and can add up to three levels to your air fryer. The ideal dimensions for most air fryers are 7x7 inches (18x18 cm), but 9x9 inches (23x23 cm) racks can be used in larger air fryers.

Other tips for stacking chicken legs

• Start with chicken legs at room temperature.
• Don't use a lot of herbs, as they can burn and turn bitter in the air fryer.
• Don't stack chicken legs without racks, as this will hinder airflow and undercook the chicken.
• If you're cooking frozen chicken legs, be sure to defrost them first, as they will release too much water if they are still frozen.
• Lightly coat the chicken legs in oil or butter to help the cooking process.

How long to cook stacked chicken legs in the air fryer

While it is not recommended to stack chicken legs in an air fryer, as this will prevent the heat from circulating and cooking the chicken evenly, there are ways to cook chicken legs in an air fryer effectively.

Firstly, it is important to preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Secondly, create a seasoning mix of your choice—a blend of paprika, salt, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, and black pepper is a great option. You can also add a little cayenne pepper for a kick. Place the chicken drumsticks in a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with the seasoning mix, tossing to coat completely.

Now, carefully place the chicken drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not crowded. If your air fryer cannot hold all the drumsticks, cook them in batches. Air fry for about 15 minutes, flipping the drumsticks halfway through, until they are cooked to 165°F (74°C) or 185°F. For smaller chicken legs, aim for 18 minutes of cooking time, and for larger legs, 22 minutes.

You can also add a glaze by brushing with BBQ sauce or honey mustard in the last few minutes of cooking.

Always ensure your chicken is fully cooked by checking the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer.

Frequently asked questions