Air Fryer Chicken Legs: Cooking Time Perfection

Chicken legs cooked in an air fryer are quick, easy, and delicious. With less than five minutes of preparation, you can have juicy chicken legs with crispy skin in under half an hour. The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken legs, but generally, it takes 18-22 minutes to cook them in an air fryer.

How to season chicken legs for the air fryer

Cooking chicken legs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get delicious, juicy chicken with crispy skin. But how do you season chicken legs for the air fryer?

First, pat the chicken legs dry with a paper towel. Then, add your dry ingredients to a large zip-top bag and shake to mix well. You can use a premade chicken seasoning, or make your own with dried thyme leaves and other herbs and spices. Next, add the chicken to the bag with a drizzle of vegetable oil and shake until all the chicken is coated.

Place the chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, skin side down, making sure they aren't too crowded so that air can circulate around them. You don't want them to overlap. Then, simply hit the start button and let the air fryer do its magic!

Cooking times will vary depending on the size of your chicken legs. For smaller legs, set the air fryer to 380°F and cook for 18-20 minutes, turning the legs halfway through. For larger legs, cook for 22-25 minutes. Always use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 165°F before serving.

How to prepare chicken legs for the air fryer

Cooking chicken legs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare chicken legs in an air fryer:

Start by patting the chicken legs dry with a paper towel. This will help to ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and develops a crispy skin. Next, add your choice of dry ingredients to a large zip-top bag. You can use a premade seasoning mix or create your own by combining spices such as dried thyme leaves, salt, and pepper. Add vegetable oil to the bag and shake well to mix the ingredients. Place the chicken legs into the bag, ensuring that each leg is well-coated with the seasoning mixture.

Preheat your air fryer to 380°F for about 5 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the chicken legs by placing them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, skin-side down. Make sure that the legs are not overlapping and that there is space for air to circulate around them.

Once the air fryer has preheated, place the chicken legs in the basket and use the "air fry" setting. Set the timer for 18 to 22 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken legs. For smaller legs, 18 minutes should be sufficient, while larger legs may require closer to 22 minutes.

During the cooking process, it is important to flip the chicken legs halfway through to ensure even cooking. After the initial cooking time, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach at least 165°F to ensure that it is safely cooked. If the chicken has not reached this temperature, continue cooking in 5-minute increments until it does.

With these simple steps, you can easily prepare juicy and crispy chicken legs in your air fryer. Enjoy your delicious and perfectly cooked meal!

How long to cook chicken legs in the air fryer for

Cooking chicken legs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get delicious, juicy chicken with crispy skin. It takes less than five minutes to prepare and cook time is around 20 minutes.

First, pat the chicken legs dry with a paper towel. Then, add all dry ingredients to a large zip-top bag and shake to mix well. Add the chicken to the bag with vegetable oil and shake until all the chicken is coated. You can also simply season the chicken with your favourite spice mix or seasonings and a drizzle of oil.

Place the chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, skin side down, and cook for 20 minutes. Flip the legs over and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the legs reach an internal temperature of 165°F. For smaller chicken legs, it will be closer to 18 minutes. For larger chicken legs, it will be closer to 22 minutes. Always use an instant-read thermometer to make sure the chicken has reached the right temperature.

What temperature to cook chicken legs in the air fryer at

To cook chicken legs in an air fryer, preheat the fryer to 380°F. Then, place the chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, skin side down, and cook for 20 minutes. Flip the legs over and cook for another 5-10 minutes or until the legs reach an internal temperature of 165°F. For smaller chicken legs, it will be closer to 18 minutes, and for larger chicken legs, it will be closer to 22 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165°F-185°F when checked with an instant-read thermometer.

How to know when chicken legs are cooked in the air fryer

To know when chicken legs are cooked in the air fryer, you should check that the internal temperature is at least 165°F. You can do this with an instant-read thermometer.

The cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken legs. For smaller chicken legs, it will be closer to 18 minutes, and for larger chicken legs, it will be closer to 22 minutes. You should turn the chicken legs halfway through the cooking time.

To ensure the chicken is cooked evenly, place the chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, skin side down, with space between them to allow the air to circulate.

When the chicken is cooked, it should no longer be pink.

Frequently asked questions