This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.

My kids always fight over who gets the chicken legs. With this Air Fryer Chicken Legs recipe, I can whip up a few batches and keep everyone happy! The bold flavor and crispy air-fried skin are totally unbeatable.

Crispy, seasoned, delicious air fryer chicken legs.

A Reader’s Review

Best chicken ever and so easy.

– Jill

Crispy, Juicy, Totally Addictive- Here’s Why!

  • Crispy, juicy perfection: The air fryer locks in moisture while crisping the skin! You won’t have any soggy spots or dry meat with this recipe.
  • Frees up your oven: By using the air fryer for the chicken, you keep your oven open for sides like Funeral Potatoes or potato wedges.
  • Bad Weather? Get that grilled-like finish without stepping outside! The air fryer does the work in a fraction of the time, and you don’t even have to worry about the weather!

Ingredients Needed

Overhead shot of labeled ingredients.
  • Can I use wings or thighs? Yes, you can. However, cooking times will vary. Wings cook faster while thighs will take slightly longer.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Air fryer chicken legs are as simple as seasoning the chicken and pushing a couple of buttons! You get that irresistible crispy skin without deep frying. They’re delicious, fast, and mostly guilt-free.

  1. Prep Chicken: Pat the chicken legs with a paper towel to dry, then add them to a medium-sized bowl.
  2. Make Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine paprika, Italian seasoning, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
  3. Coat the Chicken: Add the olive oil to the bowl of chicken and sprinkle with the seasonings, and toss until fully coated.
  4. Cook: Place the chicken legs in the basket of theย air fryer, then cook at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Flip after 10 minutes and continue to cook for 7-8 more minutes until no longer pink and the internal temperature is 165ยฐF.

Tips for Air Fryer Drumsticks

  • Know Your Air Fryer: Temps and cook times vary by model. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken legs reach an internal temperature of 165ยฐF.
  • Donโ€™t Overcrowd: Cook in batches if needed. Leave space between legs so air circulates and crisps evenly.
  • Let It Rest: Resting locks in juices and keeps the meat tender. Even just a few minutes makes a big difference.
Perfectly cooked chicken legs made in the air fryer.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

  • Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4โ€“5 days.
  • Freeze: Freeze for up to 3โ€“4 months. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
  • Reheat: Warm them up in the microwave or pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes to revive that crispy skin.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Legs

If you’re looking to make this a complete meal, these crispy chicken legs would be perfect served with Beans, Corn Casserole, Brussels sprouts, or Potatoes. Here are a few more ideas.

Pin this now to find it later

Pin It

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

4.86 from 28 votes
By: Alyssa Rivers
These Air Fryer Chicken Legs are crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and packed with flavor. A fast, mess-free dinner the whole family will love.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 Chicken Legs

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Pat 4-6 chicken legs with a paper towel to dry. Add them to a medium-sized bowl.
  • In a small bowl, combine 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, ยฝ teaspoon salt and ยฝ teaspoon pepper.
  • Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the bowl of chicken and sprinkle with the seasonings, and toss until fully coated.
  • Place the chicken legs in the basket of the air fryer. Cook at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Flip after 10 minutes and continue to cook for 7-8 more minutes until no longer pink and the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Video

Notes

Updated May 27, 2025
Storage Instructions: These will keep for 4-5 days in the fridge and up to 3-4 months in the freezer. To reheat the chicken legs, let them thaw in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or for a few minutes in the air fryer.

Nutrition

Calories: 346kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 21gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 400mgPotassium: 284mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 611IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

More Ideas

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




62 Comments

  1. I was a little perplexed by the instructions that talk about putting the chicken legs skin side down. There is no side which is not a skin side on a chicken leg.

  2. I used this recipe, only I used a quarter cup evoo and your seasonings for A marinade.Mixed it all together and let it sit in a ziplock for 3 hours.Sorry but I put it outside on the grill because temps are to hot here to cook inside.Absolutely the best chicken I ever cooked on a grill! Doing this again.

  3. 5 stars
    Delicious and super easy! Thank you! I almost added garlic, because I just think chicken needs garlic….but I held myself back. It was still great and didn’t even miss the garlic.

  4. 5 stars
    My 8 yr old son loved them! I made them exactly as the recipe stated. I have an Instant Omni Plus Air Fryer/Toaster Oven.

  5. How do i air fry the drumsticks without all that just my regular seasonings. How long should i cook them and at wat temp.