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Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks are one of the easiest ways to prepare chicken legs and the results are incredible. Made with a sweet and smoky dry rub, this Air Fryer Chicken Leg recipe delivers incredibly juicy chicken with irresistibly crispy skin in just about 20 minutes!
Easy, Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs
When it comes to affordable, family-friendly chicken recipes, this recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Legs is one of my go-to easy family dinner recipes.
With just minutes of prep and super simple seasonings, Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks have irresistibly crispy skin, while still being super tender and incredibly juicy.
More importantly, the entire family LOVES them! The brown sugar in the rub wins the kids over, while the crispy skin and smoked paprika wins over the more sophisticated palate. You don't want to miss this easy air fryer recipe!
Happy Cooking! xo Kristen
Notes on Ingredients
- Chicken Legs: Technically, chicken legs are made up of both the thigh and drumstick. This recipe is specifically designed for the drumstick portion of the chicken leg.
- Dry Rub: A combination of brown sugar, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder gives these chicken legs the most irresistible flavor.
- Oil: A bit of oil (or cooking spray) will help the chicken brown and the rub adhere to the chicken itself.
Change the Seasoning
While I strongly recommend using my dry rub recipe to give the chicken legs incredibly flavor, feel free to use any seasoning blend you like. My son personally loves using Cajun seasoning or jerk seasoning for a spicy kick.
How to Air Fry Chicken Legs
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare Drumsticks. Pat each drumstick dry with a paper towel, then brush evenly with olive oil. Sprinkle the prepared dry rub evenly over each chicken leg and then rub that mix into each chicken leg, to ensure every bite is filled with flavor.
- Air Fry Chicken Legs. Place the seasoned chicken legs in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer. Air fry for 8 minutes, flip, return to the air fryer, and continue to and air fry for an additional 8 minutes at 400℉, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165℉.
Work in Batches if Needed
To ensure the chicken legs cook evenly and achieve an irresistible crispy skin, don't overlap the chicken in the basket or tray of your air fryer. We want that air to have room to circulate.
Serving Suggestions
While you can serve air fryer chicken legs with a side of BBQ Sauce, they are so flavorful, they truly don't need any additional sauce. The rub is spot on and gives the chicken incredible flavor.
The only thing you do need to pair with Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks are lots of napkins and maybe a few favorite side dishes, like baked beans, baked fries, succotash, or Instant Pot Corn on the Cob.
Recipe FAQs
No, frozen chicken will not cook evenly and the rub will not adhere well to the skin.
If you can find them/afford them, I recommend using organic, dry chilled chicken drumsticks. They just taste better. However, any brand/variety of chicken legs or drumsticks will work and still be delicious.
Yes! As written this recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Legs makes 4 chicken drumsticks, which makes 4 small servings or 2 hearty servings. To make 8 chicken drumsticks, you will need to work in batches to air fry the chicken. Keep the first batch in the oven at 200℉ while the other batch cooks up.
Recently, I have seen boneless skinless chicken legs/drumsticks available at my local grocery store. To air-fry this variety of chicken drumsticks, air fry the chicken for 6 minutes at 380℉. Remove the basket, flip, return to air fryer, and continue to air fry for another 6 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165℉.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Video
Ingredients
- 4 chicken drumsticks
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar, light or dark
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, or regular paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
Instructions
- If needed per your air fryer model, preheat the air fryer to 400℉ (200℃).
- In a small bowl mix together brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper until well combined.
- Pat the drumsticks dry with a paper towel, then brush each drumstick lightly with oil. Sprinkle the dry rub evenly over each chicken leg and then use your hands to rub the mixture evenly over the entire surface of the chicken.
- Place the chicken legs in the basket or tray of your air fryer, being sure to not overlap the chicken legs, working in batches if needed. Air fry for 8 minutes at 400℉. Remove basket, flip chicken legs, and then return to the air fryer and air fry for an additional 8 minutes.
- At this time, check the chicken legs with a digital thermometer to ensure they have reached 165℉ (74℃). If not, return them to the air fryer and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is the first place I come when I need a new recipe. As usual, and as expected, these chicken legs received rave reviews! Thank you Kristen!
Thank you, Claudia 🙂
Very easy and the taste is super delicious! My family loves it.👍🏻💕
YAY! I love hearing that Nydia! Thanks for sharing.
I have already made these twice and looking forward to the third, and fourth, and fifth and ...!!! I collect recipes and always rate them after trying the recipe. I don't have enough stars to give justice to this delicious find. THANK YOU for sharing, Kristen.
You just made my day Sharon! Thank you so much for taking the time to let us know Sharon!
This is so easy! And healthy! Love the delicious seasonings on the chicken. So good! And this was so incredibly easy to make in the air fryer! Huge hit! Looking forward to doing this again!
I love hearing that you found this recipe easy and delicious!
These legs had the perfect crispy skin and we loved the dry rub!! I have been trying out a variety of chicken legs recipes and this is our favorite so far!
I love hearing this was your favorite. Thanks for sharing Lily
Love this air fryer version! I love making chicken legs & the air fryer makes them nice & golden & crisp. The seasonings add a delicious flavor!
I love the crisp texture myself. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review 🙂
This sounds so good, will try this week.