From the sweet and smokey spicy rub to the crispy skin to the juicy meat, these Air Fryer Chicken Legs are an easy, family-favorite recipe that is packed with flavor.
Looking for more Air Fryer Chicken Recipes? Check out Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan, Air Fryer Chicken Breast, and Air Fryer Chicken Wings
When it comes to easy, affordable, family-friendly chicken recipes, this recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Legs is one of my favorite weeknight staple recipes.
Made with a slightly sweet, slightly smokey rub and air-fried until the skin is super crispy, yet the meat is tender and juicy, Air Fryer Chicken Leg knocks it out of the park in terms of flavor and ease.
Air Fryer Chicken Legs is a meal your family will beg you to make on repeat. And because this recipe is so easy to make, you will have no problem fulfilling their request!
why you will love this recipe
- Kid-Friendly. Parents rejoice, this recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Legs happens to be a huge hit with picky eaters. Kids absolutely love the sweet spice rub and that they don't need utensils to enjoy their main entree.
- Super Easy Recipe. Deliver a finger-licking good chicken dinner in under 20 minutes with minimal dishes and prep work involved.
- Restaurant-Quality Results. These Air Fryer Chicken Legs are so crispy and so flavorful, your family may have a hard time believing they were made at home.
- Inexpensive. Chicken legs are often one of the more affordable proteins to purchase. And the only other ingredients needed are oil and a super simple spice rub made with pantry staples you likely always have on hand.
What You Need to Air Fry Chicken Legs
- Chicken Legs/Chicken Drumsticks: Use fresh or frozen bone-in chicken legs that have been fully defrosted. You can prepare these chicken drumsticks with or without the skin--it is just based on your preference.
- Dry Rub: This recipe uses my favorite homemade dry rub. It is a combination of brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper and is simply perfect for flavoring chicken.
- Smoked Paprika: The smoked paprika adds a bit more depth of flavor to the chicken legs, but feel free to use regular paprika.
- Cayenne Pepper: cayenne pepper for a bit of heat. Feel free to omit to control the spice level.
- Brown Sugar: Feel free to omit the brown sugar from the rub if you need a keto-friendly or low-carb chicken leg recipe, but a bit of brown sugar helps to add an irresistibly delicious sticky sweet quality to the chicken legs.
- 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 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 GoWise Air Fryer that has worked well for me for many years now.
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 in a small bowl.
- Brush each chicken leg lightly with oil. Remember, this will help the rub adhere to the chicken and the skin crisp up.
- Rub the dry rub mixture over each chicken leg, being sure to evenly coat the entire surface as we want every bite to have flavor!
- Place the chicken legs in the air fryer basket or tray of your air fryer in a single layer. We don't want to overlap the chicken legs so that the air can evenly circulate around the chicken legs so everything cooks evenly and the skin has a chance to fully crisp up. Work in batches if needed.
- Air fry for 8 minutes at 400 degrees F. Remove the basket, flip the 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 meat thermometer to ensure they have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. If not, return them to the air fryer and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, or until the temperature is reached.
Serving Suggestions
While you can serve these chicken legs with a side of BBQ Sauce, they are so good 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 is lots of napkins and maybe a few favorite side dishes, like baked beans, succotash, or Instant Pot Corn on the Cob.
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, or until just warmed through.
Recipe FAQs
No. I do not recommend using frozen chicken for this recipe, as the 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 legs. They are and 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 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 Family Favorite Recipes
- Air Fryer French Bread Pizza
- Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Air Fryer Potatoes
- Air Fryer Zucchini Fries
Need more inspiration for planning meals that your family will love? Sign up for my FREE Meal Plans and each week you will get a meal plan with a shopping list.
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.
Claudia
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!
Kristen Chidsey
Thank you, Claudia 🙂
Nydia
Very easy and the taste is super delicious! My family loves it.👍🏻💕
Kristen Chidsey
YAY! I love hearing that Nydia! Thanks for sharing.
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.