Air-Fryer Chicken Legs: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Cooking chicken legs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to achieve crispy skin and juicy meat. The key to success is to ensure the chicken is evenly cooked and browned on all sides, which can be achieved by flipping the legs halfway through the cooking time. It's also important to pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before cooking, as this helps the oil stick better and ensures the skin crisps up nicely.

How to get crispy skin

To get crispy skin on your chicken legs, it's important to pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture from the skin. This helps the oil stick better. Leave space between each chicken leg so the hot air can circulate and cook the chicken evenly. Always preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken legs. This will give the chicken a nice and crispy skin while keeping the chicken juicy. Use bone-in skin-on chicken legs to get the juiciest chicken and crispiest skin.

Air fry the chicken legs for 10 minutes, then slide out the basket and flip the legs. Return to the air fryer and cook for 7 to 8 additional minutes, until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165 degrees F when a meat thermometer is inserted at the thickest part without touching the bone. The extra time ensures the skin is nice and crisp.

How long to cook chicken legs for

The cooking time for chicken legs in an air fryer depends on the size of the chicken legs and the desired level of crispiness. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken legs, as this helps to achieve a crispy skin while keeping the meat juicy.

As a general rule, chicken legs should be cooked in an air fryer for around 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking. For example, one source recommends cooking chicken legs for 10 minutes, then flipping them and cooking for an additional 8 minutes. Another source suggests cooking for 18-22 minutes, again flipping halfway through.

It is important to ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach at least 165°F (74°C) when a meat thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the meat, without touching the bone. Some sources suggest removing the chicken from the air fryer once it reaches this temperature, while others recommend cooking until the internal temperature reaches 185°F (85°C) for extra crispiness.

How to prepare chicken legs for the air fryer

Preparing chicken legs for the air fryer is simple. First, pat the chicken legs dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture from the skin. This helps the oil stick better. Next, add all dry ingredients to a large zip-top bag and shake to mix well. Then, add the chicken to the bag with vegetable oil and shake until all the chicken is coated. Preheat the air fryer for five minutes at 380°F. Place the chicken legs skin side down in the basket of the air fryer, being careful to arrange them in a single layer with space between each leg so the hot air can circulate and cook the chicken evenly.

Air fry the chicken legs for 10 minutes, then slide out the basket and flip the legs. Return to the air fryer and cook for eight more minutes, until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165°F when a meat thermometer is inserted at the thickest part without touching the bone. The extra time ensures the skin is nice and crisp. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165°-185° when checked with an instant-read thermometer.

What temperature to cook chicken legs at

To cook chicken legs in an air fryer, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 380°F and then cook the chicken legs at the same temperature for 18-22 minutes, turning the chicken halfway through. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165°-185°F when checked with an instant-read thermometer.

Some recipes suggest cooking the chicken legs for 10 minutes, then flipping them and cooking for a further 7-8 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If you want crispier skin, you can cook the chicken for an extra few minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 190°F.

It is important to leave space between each chicken leg so the hot air can circulate and cook the chicken evenly. You should also pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before cooking to remove excess moisture from the skin, which helps the oil stick better.

How to store leftover chicken legs

To cook chicken legs in an air fryer, pat the legs dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture from the skin. This helps the oil stick better. 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. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 380°F. Place the chicken legs skin side down in the basket of the air fryer, making sure they are in a single layer with space between each leg so the hot air can circulate and cook the chicken evenly. Air fry for 10 minutes, then slide out the basket and flip the legs. Return to the air fryer and cook for 7 to 8 additional minutes, until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165°F when a meat thermometer is inserted at the thickest part without touching the bone. Transfer to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve hot, sprinkled with chopped cilantro or parsley as desired.

Leftover chicken is safe to eat straight from the fridge, but it can also be reheated. For best results, add a little water to the dish and cover with a microwave-safe food cover. The little added moisture will help keep the chicken from drying out. Set the microwave to 50% power and heat for longer. Alternatively, chicken pieces or leftover breasts or thighs can be placed in an airtight container or in a plastic storage bag with a tight seal. All types of chicken—wings, legs, breasts, a whole roast—can be stored after cooking to be enjoyed later. If you are planning to eat the chicken within a few days, store it in the fridge; for longer storage, use the freezer. To maintain the best quality, your refrigerator temperature should be 41°F or less.

Frequently asked questions