Air-Fried Chicken Legs: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Air fryers are a great way to cook chicken legs, and they're perfect for a quick, easy, and delicious meal. The circulating air in the fryer cooks the legs evenly, creating a succulent, crispy outside and a tender, juicy inside. This paragraph will teach you how to make mouth-watering fried chicken legs in an air fryer with a simple blend of ingredients.

Choosing the right chicken legs

Freshness and Quality

Start by looking for fresh, high-quality chicken legs at your local grocery store or butcher. Check the "best before" or "use by" dates to ensure you're getting the freshest chicken possible. Look for chicken legs that have a healthy pink colour and avoid any with discolouration or an off-putting odour.

Skin-On Chicken Legs

When making air fryer fried chicken legs, it's best to choose chicken legs with the skin on. The skin helps create that crispy outside texture that is so desirable in fried chicken. It also keeps the meat moist and juicy during the cooking process.

Bone-In vs. Boneless

Most recipes for air fryer fried chicken legs call for bone-in chicken legs. The bone helps keep the meat moist and adds flavour to the dish. However, if you prefer boneless chicken legs, you can certainly use those as well. Just be aware that the cooking time may vary slightly, so adjust accordingly.

Size and Quantity

The size of the chicken legs will impact the cooking time. Smaller chicken legs will cook faster, while larger ones may need a few extra minutes. It's also important not to overcrowd your air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken legs in batches. As a general rule, leave some space between each chicken leg to allow for even cooking and proper air circulation.

Preparation

Before cooking, it's essential to pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture from the skin will help the oil stick better, resulting in a crispier skin. You can also use this opportunity to trim any excess fat or skin if desired, though this is not necessary.

Storage and Leftovers

If you're not cooking the chicken legs immediately, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to four days. It's best to keep them in an airtight container or well-wrapped to prevent spoilage. For longer storage, you can freeze the chicken legs for up to four months.

In conclusion, choosing the right chicken legs for your air fryer fried chicken is essential for achieving the best results. Look for fresh, high-quality, skin-on chicken legs, and don't be afraid to experiment with different sizes and quantities to find the perfect combination for your air fryer. By following these tips, you'll be well on your way to crispy, juicy, and delicious air fryer fried chicken legs!

Preparing the chicken legs

Firstly, pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels. This step is crucial as it helps to remove any excess moisture from the skin, allowing the oil to stick better and ensuring a crispier skin.

Next, place the chicken legs in a medium-sized bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil or another oil of your choice, such as avocado oil or canola oil. Ensure that the chicken legs are evenly coated with the oil.

Now, it's time to add the seasonings. You can either combine the seasonings in a separate small bowl and then sprinkle them over the chicken, or you can add them directly to the bowl with the chicken legs. The seasonings typically used include salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, dry mustard powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a little kick. You can also experiment with other spices like chilli powder, oregano, basil, or rosemary.

After the chicken legs are well coated with the seasonings, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer basket. Make sure to place them in a single layer, leaving space between each leg to allow for even cooking. If your air fryer basket cannot accommodate all the chicken legs in a single layer, you may need to cook them in batches.

Once the chicken legs are arranged, you're ready to air fry! Preheat your air fryer to between 380-400°F, depending on the recipe you are following. The cooking time will vary, but generally, it will take around 10 minutes to cook the chicken legs, then you'll flip them over and cook for an additional 7-10 minutes. Always ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165°F to ensure they are safely cooked.

And that's it! You're well on your way to enjoying juicy, tender, and crispy air-fried chicken legs.

Preparing the air fryer

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheating your air fryer is essential for achieving that desirable crispy skin and juicy meat. Set your air fryer to a temperature of around 380-400°F (190-200°C). Let it preheat for about 2-10 minutes, or until it reaches the desired temperature. This step is optional but recommended for the best results.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Legs

Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture from the skin helps the oil and seasonings adhere better, resulting in a crispier texture. Place the dried chicken legs in a large bowl.

Step 3: Create the Seasoning

In a separate small bowl, combine your chosen seasonings. The specific seasonings you use can vary based on your preferences, but common options include salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, dry mustard powder, and cayenne pepper for a kick of heat. You can also add a sweet element, such as brown sugar, to enhance the caramelization and give the chicken a beautiful colour. Mix the seasonings together thoroughly.

Step 4: Coat the Chicken Legs

Drizzle olive oil or your preferred cooking oil over the chicken legs in the large bowl. Use your hands or tongs to ensure each piece is evenly coated with oil. Then, sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the oiled chicken legs. Toss or mix the chicken until each piece is thoroughly coated with the seasoning blend.

Step 5: Arrange the Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer

Carefully place the seasoned chicken legs into the air fryer basket, arranging them in a single layer. Avoid stacking or crowding the chicken legs to allow for even cooking and maximum crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Cooking the chicken legs

Air fryer chicken legs are easy to make and only take a few simple steps. The first step is to pat the chicken legs dry with a paper towel and place them in a bowl. This helps to remove any excess moisture from the skin, ensuring that the oil and seasoning stick better.

Next, you'll want to prepare your seasoning. Most recipes call for a blend of spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, dry mustard powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add a little cayenne pepper for a kick of heat. Mix your chosen spices together in a small bowl.

Now it's time to coat the chicken. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken legs in the bowl, then sprinkle with the seasoning mixture. Toss the chicken until it's fully coated. You can let this marinate in the refrigerator for as little as an hour or even overnight for more intense flavour.

Once your chicken is seasoned and ready to go, it's time to cook! Preheat your air fryer to between 380-400°F. Place the chicken legs into the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to crowd them. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Cook the chicken legs for about 10 minutes, then flip them over. Return them to the air fryer and cook for an additional 7-10 minutes. The total cooking time will be around 18-22 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken legs. You'll know they're done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F or above.

Let the chicken legs rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Serving the chicken legs

Once your chicken legs are cooked, you can serve them with a variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas:

• Chips or salad and a spoonful of coleslaw
• Beans, corn casserole, Brussel sprouts or potatoes
• Potato wedges or funeral potatoes
• Arugula salad or sautéed Brussels sprouts
• Coleslaw (try healthy coleslaw or Asian slaw for something different)
• Potato salad (e.g. sweet potato salad, healthy potato salad, or pesto potato salad)
• Roasted veggies (e.g. roasted broccoli, roasted cauliflower, or roasted potatoes)
• Air fryer french fries, air fryer asparagus, air fryer sweet potatoes, or air fryer tater tots with Texas toast
• Acorn squash and Velveeta mac and cheese
• Crispy smashed potatoes
• Easy cauliflower cheese
• Creamy coleslaw
• Homemade air fryer chips
• Simple green salad with vinaigrette dressing

If you want to make a meal with the chicken, you can use the cooked meat to make recipes such as:

• Chicken fried rice
• Easy chicken ramen
• Tuscan chicken soup
• Chicken ala king

You can also serve your chicken legs with a sauce. Try a creamy mushroom sauce, or one of your favourite steak sauces. If you want to add spice to your chicken legs, you could try a spicy bean side or a hot sauce.

Frequently asked questions