The new devotion around our house is to 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.
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Ever since cooking these bone-in, skin-on Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, I have been converted to the dark side.
As in, dark meat!
While white meat like Air Fryer Chicken Breast has my pick for salads and sandwiches, when it comes to enjoying meat for its pure juiciness, dark meat is hard to beat.
Plus, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and legs are affordable and nutrient dense.
Lean and higher in many vitamins and minerals than chicken breasts, chicken legs are healthy folks! Easily made gluten-free and low-carb!
Ben called air fryer chicken drumsticks and thighs “the best chicken I’ve ever had.”
Why I Love Air Fryer Bone-In Skin On Chicken
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 Legs
My 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
- Chicken Legs. Commonly overshadowed by chicken breasts and thighs, chicken legs need a moment in the spotlight. Not only are they incredibly succulent and flavorful, but they’re also packed with nutrition. Chicken legs are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. An easy dinner recipe, total time is less than 30 minutes!!
- Dark Brown Sugar. Dark brown sugar is richer in flavor than regular brown sugar and has more molasses. This makes the chicken caramelize more easily and gives it delightful flavor.
- Smoked Paprika. The ideal combination of smoky and sweet.
- Dry Mustard Powder. Adds a hint of tang to the chicken legs.
- Salt + Pepper. The classic, must-have seasoning duo.
- Cayenne. For the perfect amount of heat.
The Directions
- Dry the chicken legs and place them in a large bowl. Drizzle oil over the top.
- Stir the sugar and spice mixture together, then sprinkle the mixture over the chicken.
- Place the chicken legs in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. Flip them over, then cook for another 8 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes, then DIG IN!
Ways to Season Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
- Easy Chicken Marinade. My light and bright Chicken Marinade would taste delicious on these drumsticks.
- Sweet and Savory Marinade. My easy Chicken Thigh Marinade is the perfect combination of sweet and savory. Try it on these chicken legs!
- Orange Chicken Marinade. Lovers of Healthy Orange Chicken, this Orange Chicken Marinade is the one for you!
- Honey Garlic Chicken Drumsticks. A crowd-pleaser! Use the honey garlic marinade from my Honey Garlic Chicken Wings recipe.
- Cajun Air Fryer Chicken Legs. Sprinkle your favorite Cajun seasoning over the chicken legs, omitting the spices listed in this recipe (add salt and pepper to taste).
Storage Tips
- To Store. Refrigerate chicken in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave.
- To Freeze. Freeze chicken in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Meal Prep Tip
Up 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 Legs
- Coleslaw. Try Healthy Coleslaw for something classic or Asian Slaw for something different.
- Potato Salad. Try this Sweet Potato Salad, Healthy Potato Salad, or Pesto Potato Salad.
- Roasted Veggies. Roasted Broccoli, Roasted Cauliflower, and Roasted Potatoes can all cook away in your free oven, since the chicken legs will be in the air fryer.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Air Fryer. This is the air fryer I own and love. No air fryer? Make Baked Chicken Legs.
- Measuring Spoons. These measuring spoons stack neatly for easy storage.
- Instant Read Thermometer. The most reliable way to check chicken for doneness.
Welcome to the dark side!
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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) 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.
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.
Air Fryer Chicken Legs
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Ingredients
- 8 to 10 bone-in, skin-on chicken legs/drumsticks (about 2 1/4 pounds)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley or serving
Instructions
- With paper towels, pat the chicken legs dry, and place in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with the oil.
- In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, mustard, and cayenne. Sprinkle over the chicken, then toss to evenly coat.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Arrange a single layer of the drumsticks in the basket.
- Air fry chicken legs for 10 minutes, then slide out the basket and flip the legs. Return to the air fryer and cook for 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 (I remove mine around 190 degrees F and it is still very juicy. The extra time ensures the skin is nice and crisp). Transfer to a plate and let rest 5 minutes. Serve hot, sprinkled with chopped cilantro or parsley as desired.
Video
Notes
- TO STORE: Refrigerate chicken in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm leftovers on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze chicken in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
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First food review. Delicious and soooo juicy. My husband doesn’t like chicken legs but he was so surprised at how good they tasted and how perfect the seasoning was. It’s a keeper
Yay! Thank you Piper!
Simple and lots of flavor. Recipe easy to follow
Glad you enjoyed it, Richard!
I’ve made this twice. Second time I upped the cayenne a pinch – per personal taste. Otherwise this is an easy, yummy, quick, method for drumsticks and I may try it with wings; but with drumsticks, and thighs recently $.99/lb and wings >$3.00 – why? Tonight I will add some traditional Buffalo Wing Sauce (1/2 butter, 1/2 Franks Hot Sauce) to provide an extra robust coating, but my wife and I both love the original recipe and it will remain as a standard.
So glad you enjoyed it, Rob! Thank you!
Delish! I followed the recipe as it is. I was worried it wouldn’t turn out as well because I had 10 drumsticks in the smaller air fryer and they were stacked on top of each other. I just rotated them ever 10 minutes for 30 minutes (2 rotations) and they turned out exactly like the picture! Juicy on the inside, crispy bits on the outside. The kids loved them too!!
So glad it worked out! Thank you Sabrina!
First time making drumsticks in the air fryer and I don’t think we will make them any other way ever again! This is so easy and delicious. Thanks so much for the recipe.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Holly!
We absolutely loved it!
So glad to hear, thank you Rachel!
Very good
Thank you Tawnia!
They were juice and tasty I will be making all my chicken like this thank you
Yay! Thank you Patricia!
Good afternoon, I would like to make this dish, can I make up the seasoning and cover the drumsticks now, then keep in the fridge and air fry them tomorrow please
Hi J! I haven’t tried it this way, so I’m not really should. It sounds like it could work. If you decide to experiment, I’d love to know how it goes!
Excellent taste. Easy and quick to prepare. This is a KEEPER!
Thank you Dean!
Super easy and everyone enjoyed them! The air fryer makes it easier and the rib was tasty. Thanks!
So glad to hear, Melissa! Looks great!