Air-Fried Chicken Legs: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

If you're looking for a quick, easy, and delicious way to cook chicken legs, then look no further than your air fryer! Air-fried chicken legs are a great way to get juicy meat with a crispy skin—and it only takes about 20 minutes. Plus, with just a few simple ingredients, you can have a healthy and tasty meal that's sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike. So, read on to find out how to make this mouth-watering dish.

Choosing and preparing your chicken legs

Choosing Your Chicken Legs:

• Look for chicken legs in the meat section of your grocery store. You can usually find packs of chicken drumsticks near the other chicken parts.
• Opt for bone-in, skin-on chicken legs. This is important for achieving juicy meat and a crispy skin.
• Plan to use fresh or defrosted chicken for the best results. Frozen chicken may not cook evenly in the air fryer.
• Buy in bulk if you can—chicken legs are often one of the cheapest cuts of meat, so stock up!

Preparing Your Chicken Legs:

• Before you begin, make sure your chicken legs are dry. Use paper towels to pat them dry and remove any excess moisture from the skin. This step is crucial for achieving crispy skin.
• Place the chicken legs in a large bowl. You'll want a bowl that's big enough to toss and coat the chicken easily without making a mess.
• Drizzle a bit of olive oil or vegetable oil over the chicken legs. Just a small amount will do—this helps the seasoning stick and gives the skin a nice crispness.
• In a separate small bowl, combine your choice of seasonings. You can use a simple blend of salt and pepper or get creative with paprika, Italian seasoning, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and more.
• Sprinkle the seasoning mix over the chicken legs, then toss until fully coated. Make sure each piece is evenly coated for consistent flavour.
• For even more flavour, let the seasoned chicken legs marinate in the refrigerator. An hour will help, but if you can leave them overnight, even better!

Now that your chicken legs are chosen and prepared, they're ready for the air fryer! Remember to preheat your air fryer before adding the chicken, and don't overcrowd the basket—a single layer of chicken legs works best. Enjoy the delicious results!

Making a dry rub

Choosing your ingredients:

The first step in making a dry rub is to decide on the ingredients you want to use. A good dry rub typically includes a combination of spices, herbs, salt, and sugar. Some common spices used in dry rubs for chicken are:

• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Dry mustard powder
• Smoked paprika
• Italian seasoning
• Oregano
• Thyme
• Rosemary

You can also add brown sugar to your rub for a touch of sweetness and caramelization. Choose a type of sugar that complements the other flavours in your rub. Regular brown sugar will add a mild sweetness, while dark brown sugar will give a richer, more complex flavour.

Preparing your ingredients:

Once you have gathered your ingredients, it's time to prepare them. If you are using whole spices or herbs, grind them into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. This step ensures that your rub has a consistent texture and mixes well with the other ingredients. You can also use pre-ground spices for convenience.

Mixing your rub:

Now, it's time to mix your ingredients together. Combine all the spices, herbs, salt, and sugar in a small bowl. Mix them well, ensuring there are no lumps or clumps. You can also add other dry ingredients to your rub, such as dried onion or garlic flakes, for added texture and flavour.

Storing your rub:

If you are not using the rub immediately, you can store it in an airtight container. A glass jar with a tight-fitting lid works well for this purpose. Store your rub in a cool, dry place, such as a pantry or cupboard, and use it within a few months for the best flavour.

Applying the rub to your chicken legs:

Take your prepared chicken legs and pat them dry with paper towels. This step is crucial, as it helps the rub adhere to the chicken and ensures a crisp skin. Place the chicken legs in a large bowl and drizzle them with a small amount of oil, such as olive oil. Then, sprinkle your dry rub generously over the chicken, making sure to coat all sides evenly. Use your hands or tongs to rub the spices into the meat.

Let the chicken legs sit for a few minutes to allow the flavours to absorb. You can also cover and refrigerate them for an hour or overnight to enhance the flavours even more.

Cooking your chicken legs in the air fryer:

Preheat your air fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually to around 380-400°F (190-200°C). Place the chicken legs in the air fryer basket, being careful to not crowd them. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, flipping the legs halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is crispy. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is safe to eat.

And that's it! You now have delicious, flavourful air-fried chicken legs with a crispy skin and juicy meat. Serve them with your favourite sides and enjoy the fruits of your labour!

Cooking your chicken legs

Now that you have gathered all the ingredients and prepared your chicken legs, it is time to cook them in the air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the perfect crispy and juicy chicken legs:

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer. This is an important step as it helps to get a nice and crispy skin on your chicken legs while keeping the meat juicy. Set your air fryer to a temperature between 380°F and 400°F.

Step 2: Prepare the chicken legs. Place the chicken legs in a large bowl and drizzle them with olive oil. Make sure the chicken legs are dry before adding the oil, as this will help the oil and seasoning stick better.

Step 3: Apply the seasoning. If you have prepared a seasoning mix, sprinkle it generously over the chicken legs in the bowl. You can use a variety of seasonings like paprika, Italian seasoning, brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and dry mustard powder. Toss the chicken legs in the bowl until they are fully coated with the seasoning.

Step 4: Place the chicken legs in the air fryer. Arrange the chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not crowded and have some space between them. This allows the hot air to circulate properly and cook the chicken evenly.

Step 5: Air fry the chicken legs. Depending on the size of your chicken legs, cook them in the air fryer for 15 to 22 minutes. For smaller legs, aim for 18 minutes, and for larger legs, go for 22 minutes. Remember to flip the chicken legs halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

Step 6: Check the internal temperature. To ensure that your chicken legs are fully cooked, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, making sure it does not touch the bone. The internal temperature should reach at least 165°F for safe consumption.

Step 7: Rest and serve. Once your chicken legs have reached the desired internal temperature, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute and the meat to relax, resulting in tender and juicy chicken legs.

Your air-fried chicken legs are now ready to be served! Enjoy the crispy skin and juicy meat with your choice of sides, such as fries, salad, coleslaw, or roasted vegetables.

Serving suggestions

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

• Chips or salad with a side of coleslaw.
• Chicken fried rice, easy chicken ramen, Tuscan chicken soup or chicken ala king.
• Potato wedges or funeral potatoes.
• Beans, corn casserole, Brussel sprouts or potatoes.
• Air fryer french fries, air fryer asparagus, air fryer sweet potatoes, or air fryer tater tots with Texas toast and salad.
• Acorn squash and mac and cheese.
• Coleslaw, such as healthy coleslaw or Asian slaw.
• Potato salad, such as sweet potato salad, healthy potato salad, or pesto potato salad.
• Roasted vegetables, such as roasted broccoli, roasted cauliflower, or roasted potatoes.
• Crispy smashed potatoes.
• Easy cauliflower cheese.
• Creamy coleslaw.
• Baked potatoes.

Reheating and storing your chicken legs

Once you've cooked your chicken legs, you'll want to store and reheat them properly to keep them tasty and safe to eat.

Storing your chicken legs

Leftover chicken legs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you don't plan on eating them within that time, you can freeze them for up to 3-4 months.

Reheating your chicken legs

If you're reheating your chicken legs after storing them in the fridge, you can use the air fryer, oven, or microwave.

To reheat in the air fryer, preheat it to 350°F and cook the chicken legs for 5-8 minutes. Alternatively, you can reheat them in the oven at 350°F or in the microwave. If you've frozen your chicken legs, let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Frequently asked questions