Air Fryer Chicken Legs are crispy air-fried drumsticks with juicy, meat just beneath the perfectly seasoned, crispy skin. This quick and easy chicken recipe takes the guesswork out of what’s for dinner! (This recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free.)
If you love air fryer chicken recipes, then check out our Air Fryer Chicken Wings, Air Fryer Buffalo Wings, or Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe next!
Making air fryer chicken legs has never been easier or more flavorful! I use a seasoning blend highlighted by herby, citrusy, and smoky elements. The spices not only add taste but color and a delightful crunch too. Good luck trying to eat just one serving because these are the best air fryer chicken legs!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Chicken Legs Recipe
- Quick and Easy! With less than 20 minutes of cooking time, dinner will be ready in record time!
- Nutritious! Chicken legs are rich in protein and vitamins. Also, air fryer drumsticks are a healthier alternative to fried drumsticks. You get the crispiness you love without the calories from flour and oil.
- Delicious! As tender, juicy, and crispy as this chicken is, even the pickiest eater will finish their plates.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken Legs: You will need about 8 drumsticks. Leave the bone in and the skin on.
- Baking Powder: For crispy, evenly browned chicken.
- Seasoning: I use a mixture of herbs de Provence, sea salt (to taste), black pepper, lemon pepper (optional), garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika to season the drumsticks.
How To Make Air Fryer Drumsticks
- PREHEAT. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- CLEAN AND SEASON. Clean and pat dry your chicken legs with a paper towel. Add the chicken to a large bowl with the seasonings and baking powder. Make sure all the wings are coated in the seasoning.
- AIR FRY. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the chicken legs in a single layer into the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket or place chicken on top of each other.
- FLIP. Cook at 400°F for 12 minutes. Then, flip the chicken and cook for another 7-10 minutes, until no longer pink and a meat thermometer reads 165°F. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches so that the drumsticks are not overcrowded.
- Enjoy! Transfer the chicken wings to a plate and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.
Tips To Making Drumsticks In The Air Fryer
- Allow the raw chicken to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes so it will not be so cold when it goes into the air fryer. Doing so will ensure the chicken cooks evenly and prevent the surface of the chicken from overcooking before the inside reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- For crispy air fryer chicken legs, remove excess moisture by patting the chicken dry before seasoning.
- Remember not to overcrowd the air fryer. Hot air needs to circulate so the skin of the chicken can get crispy. Depending on the size of the air fryer, you may have to cook air fryer drumsticks in batches.
Recipe Variations and Customized Flavors
Once the drumsticks are cooked, you can enjoy them as is or enhance them by tossing them in one of my easy, homemade sauce recipes.
- BBQ Air Fryer Chicken Legs: This tangy homemade bbq sauce is smoky, sweet, and ready in just 20 minutes (so you can prep it while the chicken cooks).
- Jerk Air Fryer Drumsticks: Bring the mouthwatering flavors of the Caribbean to this dish when you add my easy homemade jerk sauce.
- Hot Honey Chicken: This finger-licking sauce is sweet, spicy, and sticky. It pairs perfectly with crispy air fryer chicken.
- Make Chicken Lollipop Drumsticks: Lollipop chicken is when the skin is removed from the bone and the meat is shaped like a lollipop. It is a creative and aesthetic way to serve chicken legs.
What To Eat With Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- Veggies: For a well-balanced meal, add some fresh vegetables. I suggest Air Fryer Asparagus, Air Fryer Broccoli, or Air Fryer Radishes.
- Potatoes: Chicken and potatoes are a classic duo and there are so many ways to make delicious potatoes. Try pairing chicken legs with potato salad, Air Fryer Potatoes, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, or Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries.
- Pasta: For a heartier meal, serve the chicken with a pasta dish like our Butternut Squash Pasta or this Creamy Avocado Pesto Pasta recipe.
- Dips: In addition to the sides, use a dipping sauce to make air fryer chicken legs even more delicious. I suggest honey mustard, vegan ranch dressing, or your favorite hot sauce.
Storage
Store leftover air fryer chicken legs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you are ready to reheat, gently warm them in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I cook drumsticks in an air fryer?
Air-fried drumsticks need to be cooked in the air fryer for approximately 20 minutes. However, the best way to determine if they are ready is by checking the internal temperature of the chicken. (The meat thermometer should read 165°F.)
Can you put raw chicken in an air fryer?
Yes, certainly! The air fryer will completely cook raw chicken. There is no need to pre-cook chicken in the oven or stove before air frying.
Can you put raw chicken in an air fryer without oil?
Oil isn’t necessary when air frying chicken. In fact, too much oil will make the skin soggy. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil in order to prevent the chicken from sticking to the air fryer basket.
I Hope You Enjoy This Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks Recipe!
If you try the recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments. Leave a quick review & star rating ★ below! Take pictures, tag #goodfoodbaddie, and share them with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! I love seeing my recipes come to life in your kitchen.
More Chicken Recipes To Try!
- Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Honey Ginger Chicken
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Crispy Air Fryer Fried Chicken Wings
- Chicken and Waffles
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Chicken Legs (drumsticks) about 8 drumsticks
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1 tsp herbs de Provence
- 1 tsp Sea Salt or to taste
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Lemon Pepper optional
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Onion Powder
- ½ tsp Smoked Paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Clean and pat dry your chicken legs with a paper towel. Add the chicken to a large bowl with the seasonings and baking powder. Make sure all the wings are coated in the seasoning.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place the chicken legs in a single layer into the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket or place chicken on top of each other.
- Cook at 400°F for 12 minutes. Then, flip the chicken and cook for another 7-10 minutes, until no longer pink and an instant thermometer reads 165°F. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches so that the drumsticks are not overcrowded.
- Transfer the chicken wings to a plate and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
Tips To Nail The Recipe
- Allow the raw chicken to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes so it will not be so cold when it goes into the air fryer. Doing so will ensure the chicken cooks evenly and prevent the surface of the chicken from overcooking before the inside reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- For crispy air fryer chicken legs, remove excess moisture by patting the chicken dry before seasoning.
- Remember not to overcrowd the air fryer. Hot air needs to circulate so the skin of the chicken can get crispy. Depending on the size of the air fryer, you may have to cook air fryer drumsticks in batches.
