These air fryer chicken legs come out crispy and golden on the outside while staying juicy and tender all the way through. They have plenty of savory flavor, beautifully crisp skin, and that slightly roasted finish you want from a good chicken dinner. They’re also naturally low carb and keto-friendly, with about 34g of protein per serving.
What I really love about making chicken legs in the air fryer is how reliably they turn out. The outside gets crisp without drying out the meat, and every bite stays juicy, especially around the bone. They’re one of those simple dinners that everyone at the table can enjoy, whether they eat low carb or not.
I usually serve them with something fresh or creamy on the side, depending on what I’m in the mood for. My cauliflower mashed potatoes are especially good with them, but a simple salad or roasted vegetables works just as well.
If you enjoy easy chicken dinners like this one, you might also like my oven-baked chicken breast or garlic butter chicken tenders.
- 1 Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- 2 How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- 3 Seasoning Variations for Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- 4 Tips for Crispy, Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- 5 How to Store Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- 6 What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- 7 Frequently Asked Questions
- 8 More Chicken Recipes
- 9 Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- The skin gets golden and crispy while the meat stays juicy.
- They need only about 5 minutes of hands-on prep.
- Everything is seasoned with a simple smoky garlic spice mixture.
- There’s no breading needed.
- You can easily adjust the seasonings to suit your taste.
- They pair well with plenty of easy side dishes.
- Leftovers are easy to store and reheat.
Air Fryer Chicken Legs Ingredients
You only need chicken drumsticks, a little olive oil, and a handful of seasonings for this recipe.
- Chicken Drumsticks – Use 10 bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks. Try to choose drumsticks that are similar in size so they cook at roughly the same rate.
- Olive Oil – Helps the seasonings coat the chicken evenly and encourages the skin to brown.
- Sea Salt – Seasons the chicken and brings out the flavor of the spices.
- Black Pepper – Adds a little extra warmth.
- Garlic Powder – Gives the seasoning plenty of savory garlic flavor.
- Smoked Paprika – Adds smoky flavor and helps give the drumsticks their deep golden color.
- Chili Powder – Adds a subtle kick. You can reduce it if you prefer very mild chicken.
- Onion Powder – Adds another savory layer to the seasoning mixture.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Legs
The method is simple: pat the chicken dry, coat it thoroughly with the seasoning mixture, then air fry until the skin is crisp and the chicken is cooked through.
Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
Make the Seasoning Mixture
Add the olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, and onion powder to a large bowl.
Mix until everything is well combined.
Season the Chicken Drumsticks
Pat the chicken drumsticks thoroughly dry with paper towels. Removing excess surface moisture helps the skin crisp more evenly.
Add the drumsticks to the bowl with the seasoning mixture and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
Air Fry the Chicken Legs
Arrange the seasoned drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between them so the hot air can circulate.
If your air fryer isn’t large enough to hold all 10 drumsticks without crowding, cook them in batches.
Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes.
Flip the chicken legs, then cook for another 10 minutes, or until the skin is golden and crisp and the thickest part of the chicken reaches at least 165°F (74°C).
Larger drumsticks or different air-fryer models may need a few extra minutes, so use the internal temperature rather than color alone to determine when the chicken is done.
Remove the chicken legs from the air fryer and serve with your favorite side dishes.
Seasoning Variations for Air Fryer Chicken Legs
The smoky garlic seasoning is my favorite for this recipe, but chicken drumsticks are easy to customize.
Herb Chicken: Add dried rosemary, thyme, or oregano for a more herby flavor.
Extra Smoky: Add a little more smoked paprika.
Spicier Chicken: Increase the chili powder if you like more heat.
Warm Spices: A small amount of cumin or coriander can add a deeper, earthy flavor.
Whatever combination you choose, make sure the chicken is evenly coated before it goes into the air fryer.
Tips for Crispy, Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- Pat the drumsticks dry. Excess moisture on the skin makes it harder to get that crisp exterior.
- Choose similarly sized drumsticks. This helps them finish cooking at roughly the same time.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. Leave enough room for hot air to circulate around each drumstick.
- Cook in batches if necessary. Ten drumsticks may not fit comfortably in every air fryer.
- Flip halfway through cooking. This helps both sides brown evenly.
- Use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the drumstick without touching the bone. The chicken should reach at least 165°F (74°C).
- Adjust the cooking time if needed. Large drumsticks may need a few additional minutes.
- For stronger seasoning flavor, coat the drumsticks and refrigerate them for about 30 minutes before cooking.
How to Store Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Refrigerator: Let leftover chicken cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
Freezer: Place the cooled drumsticks in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: Reheat the chicken in the air fryer or oven until heated through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
For the crispiest skin, avoid covering the chicken while reheating.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Legs
These crispy air fryer chicken legs work with all kinds of vegetable and low-carb sides.
Here are a few of my favorites:
A fresh salad or simple roasted vegetables would also work well when you want to keep the meal lighter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do Chicken Legs Take in the Air Fryer?
For this recipe, the chicken drumsticks cook at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes total.
Cook them for 10 minutes, flip, then cook for another 10 minutes.
The exact cooking time can vary depending on the size of your drumsticks and your air fryer, so larger pieces may need a few additional minutes.
How Do You Know When Chicken Legs Are Done?
The most reliable way to check chicken drumsticks is with a meat thermometer.
Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the drumstick without touching the bone. The chicken is safely cooked when it reaches at least 165°F (74°C).
Don’t rely only on the color of the skin or juices to determine whether the chicken is fully cooked.
Do I Need to Flip Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer?
Yes. Flipping the drumsticks halfway through cooking helps them brown and crisp more evenly on both sides.
Can I Cook Frozen Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer?
This specific recipe and cooking time are written for thawed chicken drumsticks. I haven’t tested the recipe from frozen, so I recommend thawing the chicken first for the most consistent results.
Do I Need to Preheat the Air Fryer?
For this recipe, yes. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes before adding the chicken.
More Chicken Recipes
If you’re looking for more easy chicken dinners, try:
- BEST Oven-Baked Chicken Breast
- BEST Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Chicken
- Juicy Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Description
Ingredients
- 10 chicken drumsticks
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
- Add the olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, and onion powder to a large bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Pat the chicken drumsticks thoroughly dry with paper towels.
- Add the drumsticks to the bowl with the seasoning mixture and toss until each piece is evenly coated.
- Arrange the seasoned chicken drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes.
- Flip the drumsticks and cook for another 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy and the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the chicken without touching the bone.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve with your favorite side dish.
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.