The new religion around our house is Air Fryer Chicken Legs. Staggeringly crispy outside and succulent within, they’ll make a bone-in, skin-on chicken believer out of even the biggest holdouts. Show
Pin this recipe on Pinterest to save for later Pin It!I know because I was one. Ever since cooking these bone-in, skin-on Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, I have been converted to the dark side. As in, dark meat. I’ve long loved bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for their juiciness, affordability, and nutrient density. Lean and higher in many vitamins and minerals than chicken breasts, chicken legs are healthy folks! Easily made gluten-free and low-carb! But forced to choose on taste alone, I leaned towards white meat like Air Fryer Chicken Breast. And then…I experienced bone-in, skin-on dark meat chicken, like these chicken legs in the air fryer. W-O-W. Ben called air fryer chicken drumsticks and thighs “the best chicken I’ve ever had.” He does not issue compliments lightly, particularly when it comes to meat. The air fryer is miraculous for creating healthy versions of foods that are typically deep-fried, like Air Fryer French Fries and Air Fryer Fried Chicken Breast. In the case of bone-in, skin-on air fryer chicken drumsticks, the way the fat renders, the skin crisps, and the meat becomes lush and juicy is enough of a reason to buy an air fryer (this is the model I have; it’s on sale!). Air fryer chicken is also fast! Drumsticks take 18 to 20 minutes in the air fryer at 400 degrees F. Turn once halfway through. The chicken legs can be ready in the time it takes you to throw together a quick Arugula Salad or side of Sautéed Brussels Sprouts. Simple prep time and cooking time! Dinner (or lunch), done. How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Chicken LegsMy inspiration for seasoning for these chicken legs is a barbecue potato chip (YUM). It’s sweet and smoky (and yes, would be great served with chips or Sweet Potato Fries). Follow this recipe for a stellar chicken flavor, or try swapping a different rub (that includes garlic powder and onion powder), marinade, or sauce (such as ranch, buffalo sauce or bbq sauce). See the “Ways to Season Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks” section below for suggestions. Tip!No need to make air fryer chicken legs with flour or cornstarch. While that trick works well for certain ingredients, like Air Fryer Tofu, the chicken gets very crispy on its own without the extra mess. The Ingredients
The Directions
Wine PairingServe your chicken legs with Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, or Pinot Noir. Ways to Season Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Storage Tips
Meal Prep TipUp to 1 day in advance, stir the seasoning mixture together. Keep it in an airtight storage container at room temperature until you’re ready to finish the recipe. What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken LegsGrilling Grilled Sweet Potato Fries45 mins Salads Healthy Coleslaw25 mins Side Dishes Roasted Broccoli40 mins View All Sides View all recipes Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
The Best Air FryerIf you’re in the market for an air fryer, this one does it all! It has multiple cooking functions and gets food crispy every time. Get on AMazon Did you make this recipe?Let me know what you thought! Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe. Leave a Rating Welcome to the dark side! Frequently Asked QuestionsCan I Use Chicken Wings instead of Legs? You can certainly make crispy, delicious chicken wings in the air fryer! Simply follow my recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Wings or Korean Air Fryer Chicken Wings. How Can I Use Leftover Air Fryer Chicken Legs? There are so many ways to use leftover air fryer chicken drumsticks. Pull the meat off of the bone and add it to your favorite salad (like Spinach Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing) or pasta dish (like Sun Dried Tomato Pasta). You could also play into the BBQ flavor of the rub and pair leftovers with Easy Baked Beans or an Air Fryer Baked Potato and Barbecue Sauce. Are these Spicy Air Fryer Chicken Legs? Since there is 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper in the seasoning mixture, this air fryer chicken drumsticks recipe will have a little kick to them. If you want them to be extra spicy, you can add a pinch more of the cayenne. If you need them to be less spicy, reduce the cayenne to 1/8 teaspoon or omit it completely. ReviewSave to FavoritesPrint Air Fryer Chicken Legs4.72 from 7 votes Golden, crispy air fryer chicken legs with a delicious sweet and smoky seasoning. Ultra flavorful, super crispy skin, and juicy meat inside! Prep: 5 mins Cook: 18 mins Total: 28 mins Servings: 4 servings ReviewSave to FavoritesPrint Ingredients 1x2x3x
Instructions
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