Crispy, juicy air fryer chicken legs are a flavorful and convenient meal that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Made with a simple marinade of spices and herbs, these chicken legs are cooked to perfection in an air fryer, resulting in a crispy outer layer and tender, succulent meat on the inside. This recipe provides detailed instructions for preparing the chicken legs, including tips for choosing the right ingredients and achieving the perfect crispiness. Additionally, the article includes variations of the recipe to cater to different tastes and dietary preferences, such as a spicy version, a healthier version with reduced oil, and a gluten-free version. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this comprehensive guide will help you create delicious and satisfying air fryer chicken legs that will impress your family and friends.
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AIR FRYER CHICKEN LEGS
These Air Fryer Chicken Legs cook up crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, with the most delicious seasoning. This easy dinner recipe is especially kid-friendly, but everyone will love them!
Provided by Kristine Rosenblatt
Categories Main Course
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine the paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Stir to mix.
- Preheat the air fryer at 380° F for 5 minutes.
- Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl.
- Drizzle the olive oil over the drumsticks and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle on the seasonings and toss to evenly coat the chicken with the seasonings.
- Place drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket with a bit of room in between each piece (cook in batches as needed). Air fry at 380° F for 12 minutes. Then flip the chicken pieces over and cook for 6-10 more minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through to at least 165° F when measured with an instant read thermometer.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 2 drumsticks, Calories 280 kcal, Carbohydrate 2 g, Protein 27 g, Fat 18 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 139 mg, Sodium 450 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, UnsaturatedFat 11 g
OUR BEST AIR FRYER CHICKEN LEGS RECIPE
Air fryer chicken legs that can't be beat.
Provided by Cassie Marshall
Categories Main Course
Time 24m
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Use a paper towel to pay dry the chicken legs. When the chicken legs are completely dry, add the dried chicken legs to a medium bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, combine the Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, lightly packed brown sugar, sea salt, and black pepper.
- Add the extra virgin olive oil to the bowl containing the chicken drumsticks.
- Sprinkle all of the spices and seasonings from the other bowl into the bowl with the chicken legs.
- Toss all of the ingredients together until the chicken drumsticks are completely coated.
- With the skin side down, put the chicken drumsticks in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 10 minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit.
- After the first 10 minutes of cooking, flip the chicken drumsticks over in the air fryer basket and cook the air fryer chicken legs for between 7 and 8 more minutes.
- Your air fryer chicken legs are fully cooked when the chicken legs are no longer pink in the middle. A meat thermometer should show that your air fryer chicken legs have an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 346 kcal, ServingSize 1 serving
AIR-FRYER CHICKEN LEGS
For years, I tried to find the perfect bottled barbecue sauce for chicken legs. After a few years, I threw in the towel and created my own using ketchup, honey and spicy brown mustard. It works perfectly with this air-fryer chicken legs recipe. -Kathleen Criddle, Lake Worth, Florida
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 40m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, mix the first 8 ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to blend, stirring occasionally. Reserve 2 cups sauce for serving., Preheat air fryer to 375°. In batches, place chicken in a single layer on greased tray in air-fryer basket. Cook until a thermometer reads 170°-175°, 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally and brushing generously with remaining sauce during the last 5 minutes. Serve with reserved sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 422 calories, Fat 12g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 95mg cholesterol, Sodium 909mg sodium, Carbohydrate 49g carbohydrate (48g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 29g protein.
Tips:
- Choose the right chicken legs: Look for chicken legs that are about the same size so they cook evenly. You can use bone-in, skin-on chicken legs or boneless, skinless chicken legs.
- Season the chicken legs well: Use a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. You can also add other herbs and spices to taste.
- Preheat the air fryer: This will help the chicken legs cook evenly. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cook the chicken legs in batches: If you are cooking a lot of chicken legs, cook them in batches so they don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will help them cook evenly.
- Shake the chicken legs halfway through cooking: This will help them cook evenly and prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket.
- Cook the chicken legs until they are cooked through: The chicken legs are cooked through when they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Serve the chicken legs immediately: Serve the chicken legs with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, or honey mustard.
Conclusion:
Air fryer chicken legs are a delicious and easy-to-make meal. They are perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering. With just a few simple ingredients and a few minutes of prep time, you can have a delicious and healthy meal that the whole family will love. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy dinner idea, give air fryer chicken legs a try.
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