Air-Frying Chicken Legs: How Long Does It Take?

Chicken legs are a quick and easy meal to make in an air fryer, with most recipes taking between 15 and 30 minutes. The air fryer's circulating hot air cooks the legs evenly, resulting in juicy meat and a crispy skin.

How to get the perfect crispy skin

To get the perfect crispy skin on your air-fried chicken legs, there are a few steps you can follow. Firstly, always pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels before you start. This will help to remove any excess moisture on the skin, which can prevent crispiness.

Next, you'll want to add a small amount of oil. A drizzle or a couple of tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil will be enough. This will help the seasoning stick and give the skin a nice crisp finish.

Now, it's time to add your seasoning. You can use a simple blend of salt and pepper, or get creative with spices like smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, dry mustard powder, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of cayenne for some heat. Mix your chosen seasonings in a small bowl, then sprinkle over the chicken legs, ensuring they are well coated.

When your chicken legs are prepared, place them into the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. This is important because the air needs space to circulate, ensuring the chicken cooks evenly. If your air fryer is small, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Finally, follow the cooking instructions as outlined in the recipe you are using. As a guide, chicken legs will take around 15-20 minutes to cook in a preheated air fryer at around 380-400°F. Flip the legs halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and browning.

And that's it! By following these simple steps, you'll be well on your way to achieving the perfect crispy skin on your air-fried chicken legs. Enjoy!

How long to cook at what temperature

The cooking time and temperature for chicken legs in an air fryer will vary slightly depending on the size of the chicken legs and the desired level of crispiness. However, on average, you can expect to cook chicken legs for around 15-20 minutes at a temperature of 380-400°F (193-204°C).

For smaller chicken legs, you may only need to cook them for 18 minutes, while larger legs may require up to 22 minutes. It's important to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure food safety. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check this.

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

First, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to between 380-400°F (193-204°C). This step is important as it helps ensure even cooking and crispiness.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Legs

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the chicken legs. Start by patting the chicken legs dry with paper towels. This step helps to remove any excess moisture, which can prevent the skin from crisping up. Then, transfer the chicken legs to a large bowl and drizzle them with a small amount of olive oil or vegetable oil.

Step 3: Season the Chicken Legs

In a small bowl, mix together your desired seasonings. You can use a simple blend of salt and pepper, or get creative with spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and dry mustard powder. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken legs and toss to coat them evenly.

Step 4: Place the Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer

Arrange the chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each leg to allow for proper air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken legs in batches.

Step 5: Cook the Chicken Legs

Place the air fryer basket into the preheated air fryer and cook the chicken legs for the recommended time based on their size. For smaller legs, cook for 18 minutes, and for larger legs, cook for up to 22 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, flip the chicken legs to ensure even cooking and browning.

Step 6: Check the Internal Temperature

To ensure food safety, it's important to check the internal temperature of the chicken legs before serving. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature at the thickest part of the meat, without touching the bone. The internal temperature should reach at least 165°F (74°C). If the chicken is not yet fully cooked, return it to the air fryer and cook in 2-minute increments until it reaches the desired temperature.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Once the chicken legs have reached the desired internal temperature, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in juicier meat. Serve the chicken legs with your favorite sides and enjoy!

How to reheat chicken legs

Chicken legs are a great option for a quick, easy, and delicious meal. They can be cooked in an air fryer in less than 30 minutes and reheated in a few simple steps. Here is a guide on how to reheat chicken legs, ensuring they remain juicy and tender with a crispy skin.

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. This is a lower temperature than what is used for cooking raw chicken legs, as you want to ensure the chicken is reheated without burning the skin.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Legs

While the air fryer is preheating, take your leftover chicken legs out of the refrigerator. It is best to reheat chicken legs that have been stored in an airtight container and consumed within 3-4 days, as recommended by food safety guidelines. Place the desired number of chicken legs on a plate or in a bowl.

Step 3: Reheat in the Air Fryer

Once the air fryer is preheated, carefully place the chicken legs inside the air fryer basket. Ensure that the chicken legs are not overcrowded and are arranged in a single layer. This allows the hot air to circulate evenly, ensuring the chicken legs are reheated thoroughly and crisped nicely.

Step 4: Reheating Time

Reheat the chicken legs in the air fryer for about 5 to 8 minutes. The exact time may vary depending on the number of chicken legs and their size, so it is important to keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Step 5: Check the Internal Temperature

To ensure that your chicken legs are safely reheated, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the meat, avoiding the bone. The chicken legs should have reached an internal temperature of 165°F to be considered safe for consumption.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Once the desired temperature is reached, remove the chicken legs from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes. This helps to retain moisture and ensures the juices are distributed evenly. Finally, serve the reheated chicken legs with your choice of sides and enjoy!

Tips for Reheating Chicken Legs:

• If you are reheating a large number of chicken legs, you may need to do so in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
• You can also reheat chicken legs in the oven at 350°F or in the microwave if you prefer.
• For best results, aim to consume leftover chicken legs within 3-4 days of storage in the refrigerator.
• You can also freeze cooked chicken legs for up to 3-4 months and thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What to serve with chicken legs

Chicken legs are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas to accompany your air fryer chicken legs:

Potato Sides

A classic side dish to serve with chicken legs is mashed potatoes. You can also try something a little more creative, like Hasselback potatoes, twice-baked potato casserole, or cheesy scalloped potatoes with caramelized onions. For a healthier option, roast some baby potatoes in the oven with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Salads

A mixed green salad with a variety of greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and olives is always a good option to balance out the richness of the chicken legs. You can also try a Greek salad with chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese. Toss with a dressing made from olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper.

Breads

Garlic bread is a tasty and indulgent side dish that goes well with chicken legs. Try slicing a baguette or loaf of crusty bread, spreading it with a mixture of softened butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley, and baking it until golden.

Vegetables

Roasted Brussels sprouts are a delicious and healthy side dish that complements the flavors of chicken legs. You can also try roasting other root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and beets, or make oven-roasted asparagus or broccoli. For a low-carb option, try cauliflower rice. Simply pulse cauliflower florets in a food processor until they resemble rice, then sauté with garlic and your favorite seasonings.

Other Sides

Some other side dish ideas include macaroni and cheese, corn on the cob, creamy coleslaw, or Texas Toast. If you're looking for a healthier option, go for a simple side of steamed or sautéed green beans.

Tips for cooking chicken legs

Preparation

Before cooking, pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels. This will help to remove any excess moisture on the skin, ensuring crispier chicken skin. You can also try coating the chicken legs with a tiny pinch of corn starch to help the seasoning adhere to the meat.

Oil

Drizzle the chicken legs with a little olive oil or vegetable oil. This will help the seasoning stick to the chicken and give it a nice crisp skin. However, be careful not to use too much oil, as this can make the skin soggy.

Seasoning

You can use your favourite seasoning blend for chicken legs. A simple blend of salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion and garlic powder, ground mustard, and a pinch of cayenne works well. You can also add brown sugar for extra caramelisation and sweetness. Alternatively, you can use a store-bought dry rub or your favourite marinade. However, if you're aiming for crispy skin, steer clear of marinades as they can make it difficult for the skin to crisp up.

Air fryer setup

Preheat your air fryer to between 380-400°F. Place the chicken legs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Leave a little space between each drumstick to allow for ample air circulation in the basket. You may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Cooking time and temperature

Chicken legs will take approximately 15-22 minutes to cook in an air fryer, depending on their size. For smaller chicken legs, cook for closer to 18 minutes, and for larger chicken legs, cook for up to 22 minutes. The ideal internal temperature for chicken legs is 165°F, but you can go up to 185°F.

Flipping

Flip the chicken legs halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and browning on all sides.

Resting

Let the chicken legs rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the meat to reabsorb and redistribute the moisture, resulting in more tender meat fibres.

Frequently asked questions