Cooling Chicken Legs In An Air Fryer: How Long?

Air fryers are a convenient and quick way to cook chicken legs, yielding juicy meat with a crispy skin. The cooking time depends on the size of the chicken legs and the model of the air fryer, but generally, it takes between 15 to 22 minutes to cook chicken legs in an air fryer.

Seasoning and marinating

Ingredients

• Chicken legs
• Olive oil or vegetable oil
• Paprika
• Italian seasoning
• Brown sugar
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cayenne pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Oregano
• Ground mustard
• Smoked paprika

Method

Pat the chicken legs dry with a paper towel. Place them in a medium-sized bowl.

In a small bowl, combine your choice of spices and herbs. You can use a simple blend of salt and pepper, or try something more complex like Italian seasoning, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, ground mustard, and cayenne pepper. Add a little olive oil to the bowl of chicken and then sprinkle with the seasonings, tossing until the chicken is fully coated.

For the best results, let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour, or even overnight if you have the time. This will allow the flavours to really penetrate the meat.

Cooking

When you're ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to between 380-400°F. Place the chicken legs skin side down in the basket of the air fryer, being careful to arrange them in a single layer so the hot air can circulate. Air fry for about 10 minutes, then flip the drumsticks and cook for a further 7-10 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Tips

• Always preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken legs for the crispiest skin.
• Use bone-in, skin-on chicken legs for the juiciest meat and crispiest skin.
• Leave space between each chicken leg to ensure even cooking.
• Check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked.
• Get creative with your seasonings and marinades! Try a Cajun, Italian, or curry blend, or make a sweet and smoky barbecue-style rub with brown sugar, smoked paprika, and a hint of cayenne.

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. However, there are some general guidelines that can be followed.

Firstly, it is important to preheat the air fryer. Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer between 380°F and 400°F for about 5 minutes.

For the cooking time and temperature, it is recommended to cook the chicken legs at between 380°F and 400°F for 18 to 20 minutes, turning the chicken legs halfway through the cooking time. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of the chicken legs. For smaller chicken legs, 18 minutes should be sufficient, while larger chicken legs may need closer to 22 minutes. It is important to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken legs reaches at least 165°F to ensure they are cooked safely. Some recipes suggest that the internal temperature can go as high as 185°F for chicken legs.

It is also worth noting that some recipes suggest cooking the chicken legs in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket, which can affect the cooking time and temperature. Additionally, it is recommended to pat the chicken legs dry with a paper towel before cooking to remove excess moisture and help the skin crisp up.

Some recipes also suggest using a meat thermometer to check that the chicken has reached the desired internal temperature. This can be inserted into the thickest part of the chicken leg, ensuring it does not touch the bone, to get an accurate reading.

Finally, for extra crispy skin, some recipes suggest increasing the temperature of the air fryer to 400°F for the final few minutes of cooking.

Chicken preparation

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make air fryer chicken legs:

• Chicken legs (with skin on)
• Olive oil
• Spices/seasonings (e.g. paprika, Italian seasoning, brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, etc.)
• Optional: BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or another sauce/marinade of your choice

Preparation

Start by patting the chicken legs dry with paper towels. Place the chicken legs in a medium-sized bowl.

In a separate, smaller bowl, combine your chosen spices and seasonings. You can also add a little olive oil to this mixture.

Next, add the olive oil to the bowl of chicken and sprinkle with the seasoning mixture, tossing until the chicken is fully coated.

Cooking

Preheat your air fryer to between 380-400°F.

Place the chicken legs into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are arranged in a single layer with space between each leg. It is important not to overcrowd the basket. If your air fryer cannot fit all the chicken legs in one batch, cook them in batches.

Cook the chicken legs for around 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F when checked with a meat thermometer.

Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

Tips

• Always preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken legs to ensure crispy skin and juicy meat.
• Use bone-in, skin-on chicken legs for the juiciest meat and crispiest skin.
• Pat the chicken dry to remove excess moisture, which will help the oil and seasoning stick better.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket—leave space between each chicken leg so the hot air can circulate and cook the chicken evenly.
• Flip the legs halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
• Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached 165°F and is safe to eat.
• For extra crispy skin, you can cook the chicken legs for a few extra minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 185°F.

Variations and Serving Suggestions

You can experiment with different spice blends, sauces, and glazes to customise your air fryer chicken legs. Try Cajun, Italian, or curry seasoning, or brush the chicken with BBQ sauce or honey mustard during the last few minutes of cooking.

Air fryer chicken legs go well with a variety of side dishes, such as fries, asparagus, sweet potatoes, tater tots, or a salad. They are a convenient and tasty option for a weeknight dinner or a fun, finger-licking meal for kids.

Chicken quality

The quality of the chicken you use will have a big impact on the final result of your air-fried chicken legs. Here are some tips to ensure you get the best chicken for this dish:

Freshness

Always check the "best before" date on the packaging to ensure you are using fresh chicken. It is also important to look at the colour of the meat. Fresh chicken should have a pinkish colour, while older chicken will be greyish or brownish.

Source

Try to find out where the chicken comes from. Look for labels such as "free-range", "organic", or "antibiotic-free". These labels often indicate higher-quality chickens that have been raised in better conditions.

Skin

For air-fried chicken legs, it is important to choose chicken with skin on. The skin will help to create that crispy outside shell that everyone loves. Look for chicken legs with tight, smooth skin that is free from tears or bruises.

Size

The size of the chicken legs can vary, and this will impact the cooking time. Larger chicken legs will take longer to cook, while smaller ones will be done more quickly. Choose chicken legs that are similar in size so that they cook evenly.

Preparation

Before cooking, it is important to pat the chicken legs dry with a paper towel. This will help to remove excess moisture from the skin, ensuring that the oil and seasonings stick better and that the skin crisps up nicely.

Storage

If you are not using the chicken immediately, it is important to store it properly. Keep the chicken in its original packaging and place it on a plate or in a container at the bottom of your refrigerator. Do not wash the chicken before storing it, as this can spread bacteria.

Thawing

If you are using frozen chicken legs, be sure to thaw them completely before cooking. You can do this by placing them in the refrigerator overnight or running them under cold water. Do not leave frozen chicken on the counter to thaw, as this can lead to bacterial growth.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve air fryer chicken legs. Here are some suggestions:

Sides

You can serve the chicken legs with a variety of side dishes, such as:

• Chips/Fries
• Salad (simple green salad with vinaigrette dressing)
• Coleslaw (creamy coleslaw)
• Potato Salad (sweet potato salad, healthy potato salad, pesto potato salad)
• Roasted Veggies (roasted broccoli, roasted cauliflower, roasted potatoes)
• Baked Potato
• Mac and Cheese
• Potato Wedges
• Funeral Potatoes
• Texas Toast
• Acorn Squash

Sauces

You can also serve the chicken legs with a variety of sauces, such as:

• BBQ Sauce
• Honey Mustard
• Hot Sauce
• Ranch Dressing
• Cheese Sauce
• YUM YUM Sauce
• Asian Sauce
• Creamy Mushroom Sauce

Other Dishes

The cooked chicken legs can also be used in other dishes, such as:

• Chicken Fried Rice
• Easy Chicken Ramen
• Tuscan Chicken Soup
• Chicken ala King

Variations

There are also many ways to vary the flavours and presentation of the chicken legs:

• Use different spices, such as chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, ground mustard, or celery seed.
• Add a glaze by brushing with BBQ sauce or honey mustard in the last few minutes of cooking.
• Kick up the heat by adding cayenne pepper to the seasoning or topping with your favourite hot sauce.
• Swap whole chicken legs or quarters for drumsticks for a different presentation.

Frequently asked questions