Air-Frying Chicken Leg Quarters: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Chicken leg quarters are a great option for a quick and easy meal, and cooking them in an air fryer is a convenient way to get crispy, juicy results. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chicken and the brand of your air fryer, but generally, you can expect to cook chicken leg quarters for around 20-25 minutes at 380-400°F.

How to get crispy skin

To get crispy skin on your chicken leg quarters, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. While it's heating up, coat the chicken on all sides with oil and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add paprika to the seasoning mix.

Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, skin-side-down, making sure the pieces don't overlap. Air fry for 20 minutes, then flip the chicken over and cook for another 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If you want the skin to be extra crispy, flip the chicken after 15 minutes of cooking time.

If you're starting with frozen chicken, you can put the leg quarters in the air fryer and cook for 5 to 8 minutes until they're mostly thawed. Then, add the seasoning rub and continue cooking as directed.

How to season chicken leg quarters

Chicken leg quarters should be cooked in an air fryer for 20-25 minutes, or 10-12 minutes if you're cooking from frozen. The internal temperature should reach 165°F and the skin should be golden brown.

Pat the chicken leg quarters dry with paper towels. This will help the skin get crispy. Then, brush the chicken quarters with olive oil or avocado oil on both sides. You can also add melted butter.

For seasoning, use paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning underneath the skin, and on both sides of the chicken. You can also add the seasoning to a small bowl with the oil and brush the mixture over the chicken.

How to check if chicken is cooked

To check if chicken is cooked, use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature has reached 165°F. When inserting the thermometer, avoid the bones in the chicken legs and make sure the metal probe is centred in the flesh for an accurate reading. If you don't have a thermometer, you can check if the chicken is cooked by cutting into it and making sure the juices run clear.

If you're cooking frozen chicken leg quarters, you can put them in the air fryer and cook for 5 to 8 minutes until they are mostly thawed. Then you can add the seasoning rub and continue to cook as directed. It will take a little longer to cook frozen chicken, and the cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the chicken.

To cook chicken leg quarters in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Coat the chicken on all sides with olive oil or avocado oil, and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Put the chicken in the air fryer basket, skin-side-down, in a single layer. Make sure the two chicken quarters don't overlap. Cook for 20 minutes, then flip the chicken and cook for an additional 10 to 12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from the basket and let rest for at least 2 minutes before serving.

How to cook frozen chicken leg quarters

If you're cooking frozen chicken leg quarters in an air fryer, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure your chicken is fully thawed before cooking. You can do this by putting the frozen chicken in the air fryer and cooking for 5 to 8 minutes until they are mostly thawed. Then, you can add your seasoning and continue cooking.

For seasoning, you can use a variety of spices, such as paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread the spices on both sides of the chicken and get some seasoning underneath the skin. You can also use olive oil or avocado oil to coat the chicken before adding the spices.

Once your chicken is seasoned, it's time to cook it. Preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket, skin-side-down, in a single layer. Make sure the two chicken quarters do not overlap. Cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping the chicken after 15 minutes if you want the skin to be extra crispy.

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F. This is the safest way to ensure your chicken is fully cooked. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken, avoiding the bones, to get an accurate reading.

Let the chicken rest for at least 2 minutes before serving. Enjoy your juicy and crispy air-fried chicken leg quarters!

How long to preheat the air fryer

To cook chicken leg quarters in an air fryer, you should preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. You can then place the chicken in the air fryer and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

The length of time it takes to preheat an air fryer depends on the size of the fryer and the temperature you are heating it to. Smaller air fryers will preheat faster than larger ones, so a small air fryer can preheat in two to three minutes, while a larger air fryer may need four to five minutes. Most air fryers preheat to 400°F in three to five minutes, but some may take up to 20 minutes. You can also set the time for the preheat, let the air fryer turn off, and then add the food and set the cook time.

Frequently asked questions