Tiffany Haney
Chicken legs are a versatile and forgiving meat to cook in an air fryer, resulting in juicy and tender meat with a crispy skin. The air fryer is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal, cooking the chicken legs in about half the time it would take in an oven. The circulating air in the fryer ensures the chicken is cooked evenly without over-charring the outside, and the mess is contained inside the fryer. Chicken legs can be seasoned with a variety of spices and sauces to add flavour, and served with a range of sides.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 380°F-400°F |
| Time | 18-22 minutes |
| Internal Temperature | 165°F-185°F |
| Seasoning | Brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, onion and <co: 0,4,20>garlic powder, ground mustard, cayenne, oregano |
| Oil | Vegetable oil, olive oil |
| Sides | Beans, corn casserole, Brussel sprouts, potatoes, mac and cheese, steamed veggies, potato salad, air fryer french fries, air fryer asparagus, air fryer sweet potatoes, air fryer tater tots, Texas toast, salad |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken leg prep
Ingredients
To make chicken legs in an air fryer, you will need:
- Chicken legs
- Brown sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Mustard
- Cayenne pepper (optional)
- Olive oil
- BBQ sauce or another sauce of your choice (optional)
Method
- Pat the chicken legs dry with a paper towel.
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, mustard, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Sprinkle the seasoning over the chicken legs, then toss to coat them evenly.
- Drizzle the chicken legs with olive oil.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F-400°F.
- Place the chicken legs in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each leg to allow hot air to circulate and cook the chicken evenly.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip the legs over.
- Air fry for another 7-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F-185°F. Use an instant-read thermometer to check.
- If desired, brush the chicken legs with BBQ sauce or another sauce during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips
- You can use aluminum foil or parchment paper in the air fryer to make cleanup easier.
- If you are using frozen chicken legs, be sure to thaw them in the fridge overnight before cooking.
- You can also reheat leftover chicken legs in the air fryer by preheating to 350°F and cooking for 5-8 minutes.
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Air fryer settings
When cooking chicken legs in an air fryer, it's important to preheat the appliance. Preheating ensures that your chicken cooks evenly and at the right temperature, giving it a nice crispy skin while keeping it juicy. Most sources recommend preheating to 400°F, but some suggest 380°F.
Once preheated, you can add the chicken to the air fryer basket, being careful to arrange them in a single layer with space between each leg. This is to ensure that the hot air can circulate and cook the chicken evenly. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cook in batches.
When it comes to the cooking time and temperature, there are a few different suggestions. One source recommends cooking at 380°F for 18-22 minutes, turning the chicken legs halfway through. Another suggests cooking at 400°F for a total of 18 minutes, but with a different interval structure: 10 minutes on one side, then 8 minutes on the other, and finally a 5-minute resting period. A third option is to cook at 400°F for 12 minutes on the first side, then 10 minutes on the other, until the internal temperature reaches 175°F.
It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chicken legs. For smaller legs, aim for a cooking time closer to 10-15 minutes, and for larger legs, aim for 18-22 minutes.
To ensure your chicken legs are fully cooked, it's recommended to use a meat thermometer to check their internal temperature. The recommended internal temperature varies from 165°F to 185°F.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for chicken legs in an air fryer depends on the size of the chicken legs and the temperature at which they are cooked. It is recommended that chicken legs be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165°F to ensure they are fully cooked. An instant-read or meat thermometer can be used to check this.
For chicken legs cooked at 380°F, it is recommended to cook them for 18-22 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking time. Smaller chicken legs will take closer to 18 minutes, while larger chicken legs will take closer to 22 minutes.
For chicken legs cooked at 400°F, the cooking time is typically 18-20 minutes. This includes 10 minutes of cooking on the first side, followed by flipping the drumsticks and cooking for an additional 8-10 minutes.
Some recipes suggest cooking chicken legs at 400°F for 12 minutes on the first side, then flipping and cooking for an additional 10 minutes, for a total cooking time of 22 minutes. This longer cooking time helps ensure that the chicken is cooked through and that any connective tissue has had a chance to break down, making the meat extra tender and juicy.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the air fryer and the number of chicken legs being cooked. It is recommended to leave space between each chicken leg to allow for even cooking and proper air circulation. If your air fryer is small, you may need to cook the chicken legs in batches.
Additionally, if you are using already cooked chicken legs, they only need about 5 minutes in the air fryer to warm them up.
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Sauces and seasonings
Chicken legs cooked in an air fryer can be seasoned with a variety of spices and sauces. The seasoning can be as simple as salt and pepper, or you can add other spices like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, and ground mustard. You can also use pre-made seasoning blends like Cajun, Italian, or curry.
For a sweet and savory flavor profile, you can combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, mustard, and cayenne. Sprinkle this mixture over the chicken legs, then toss to evenly coat before placing them in the air fryer.
If you're looking for a sauce to accompany your chicken legs, BBQ sauce is a popular choice. You can add it to the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking or serve it on the side as a dipping sauce. Other sauce options include ranch dressing, hot sauce, cheese sauce, honey mustard, or your favorite Asian sauce.
The key to getting juicy, flavorful chicken legs is to ensure that the spices and sauces are evenly distributed. This can be achieved by placing the chicken legs in a large zip-top bag, adding the spices and a tablespoon of vegetable oil, then shaking the bag to coat the chicken.
Additionally, it is important to preheat your air fryer and ensure that the chicken legs are cooked to the recommended internal temperature of 165°F, or up to 185°F for chicken legs, using a meat thermometer to check.
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Sides and serving suggestions
Chicken legs cooked in an air fryer can be served with a variety of side dishes and sauces. Here are some ideas:
Sides
- Roasted vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, and potatoes
- Rice: plain steamed rice or potato salad
- Salad: a simple side salad or a salad with Texas toast
- Vegetables: steamed vegetables, such as peas and carrots, or roasted asparagus
- Mac and cheese
- Potato wedges or funeral potatoes
- Beans, corn casserole, Brussel sprouts, or potatoes
- Air fryer french fries, sweet potatoes, or tater tots
Sauces
- BBQ sauce: brush the chicken with BBQ sauce in the last few minutes of cooking, or serve it as a dipping sauce
- Honey mustard: add it in the last few minutes of cooking or serve it as a dipping sauce
- Hot sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Cheese sauce
- YUM YUM Sauce
- Asian sauce
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Frequently asked questions
The air fryer should be preheated to 380°F or 400°F.
It takes between 18 and 22 minutes to cook chicken legs in an air fryer. You should flip the legs after 10 minutes, or halfway through the cooking time.
Chicken legs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check this.
