Air Fryer Chicken Legs are made with a flavorful dry rub and air-fried until the skin is crispy while the chicken remains juicy and tender.
Serve these juicy, tender air-fried chicken legs with a side of baked beans or Instant Pot Corn on the Cob for an easy, delicious meal.
This recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Legs makes the BEST chicken legs EVER!
They are juicy, tender, while the skin is crispy and perfectly seasoned with a slightly sweet dry rub. And best of all, making chicken legs in the air fryer, couldn't be easier!
Just like my recipe for Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs, this recipe cooks up chicken legs without heating up the kitchen. But unlike the slow cooker recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Legs come together in less than 20 minutes! Making this recipe perfect for busy nights.
What you Need to Air Fry Chicken Legs
- Chicken Legs/Chicken Drumsticks: If you can, I highly recommend using organic, dry chilled chicken legs. They are less fatty and just taste better. But any chicken leg or drumstick works well and will still be delicious.
- Dry Rub: This recipe uses the same dry rub I make for Air Fryer Chicken Wings. It is a combination of brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. I do add in a pinch of cayenne pepper for a bit of heat. Feel free to omit to control the spice level.
- Oil: You just need a tiny bit of oil to brush onto the skin of the chicken legs. This will not only help the skin to crisp up but also allow the rub to adhere to the chicken. As for the type of oil, use either canola, vegetable, or avocado oil, as they all have a high smoking point.
- Air Fryer: This recipe will work with any air fryer you have. I personally have a basic GoWise Air Fryer that has worked well for me.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- If needed per your air fryer model, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Prepare the dry rub by mixing together the salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, and brown sugar together.
- Brush each chicken leg lightly with oil and then rub the dry rub mixture over each chicken leg, being sure to evenly coat the entire surface.
- Place the chicken legs in the basket or tray of your air fryer, being sure to not overlap the chicken legs. Work in batches if needed.
- Air fry for 8 minutes at 400 degrees F. Remove basket, flip chicken legs, and then return to the air fryer and air fry for an additional 8 minutes at 400 degrees.
- At this time, check the chicken legs with a digital thermometer to ensure they have reached 165 degrees F. If not, return them to the air fryer and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Serve immediately with lots of napkins!
Storage and Reheating
Leftover chicken legs can be stored in an airtight container for 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in a 400 degree F air fryer for 3-4 minutes just until warmed through.
Recipe FAQs
No. I do not recommend using frozen chicken for this recipe, as it will not cook evenly and the rub will not adhere to the chicken.
No. Feel free to omit the brown sugar from the rub if you need a keto-friendly or low-carb recipe.
Absolutely! The smoked paprika adds a bit more depth of flavor to the chicken legs, but this rub is still delicious with regular paprika.
Yes! As written this recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Legs makes 4 chicken legs, which makes 4 small servings or 2 hearty servings. To make 8 chicken legs, you will need to work in batches to air fry the chicken. Keep the first batch in the oven at 200 degrees F while the other batch cooks up.
Yes! Feel free to cut the salt in half or omit it if needed.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Potatoes
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
If you enjoyed this recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Legs, please leave a comment and a 5-star review below. I love to hear from you!
Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 4 chicken legs
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 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 degrees F.
- In a small bowl mix together the brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
- Brush each chicken leg 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 degrees F. Remove basket, flip chicken legs, and then return to the air fryer and air fry for an additional 8 minutes at 400 degrees F.
- At this time, check the chicken legs with a digital thermometer to ensure they have reached 165 degrees F. If not, return them to the air fryer and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
SHARON MAHAN
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.
Kristen Chidsey
You just made my day Sharon! Thank you so much for taking the time to let us know Sharon!
Betsy
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!
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing that you found this recipe easy and delicious!
Lily
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!
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing this was your favorite. Thanks for sharing Lily
Kristyn
Love this air fryer version! I love making chicken legs & the air fryer makes them nice & golden & crisp. The seasonings add a delicious flavor!
Kristen Chidsey
I love the crisp texture myself. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review 🙂
Linda
This sounds so good, will try this week.