Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Learn How to Cook Perfectly Crispy Chicken Legs in Your Air Fryer For A Delicious Weeknight Dinner

Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside air-frier chicken legs recipe is the perfect weeknight meal for the whole family.

They are much cheaper than chicken breasts, are extremely flavorful, and the leftovers are great for making delicious recipes such as Chicken and Dumpling Soup, Chicken and Eggplant Fatteh, or Creamy Chicken Enchiladas with White Sauce.

Jump to:

• Why This Recipe Works?
• Ingredients You'll Need
• How to Cook Chicken Legs in Air Fryer?
• Top Tips From the Chef
• What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Legs?
• Storage, Freezing, and Reheating
• Recipe FAQs
• Related Recipes
• Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs

With just 5 minutes of preparation and a few basic ingredients, these air-fried chicken leg quarters are ideal for serving alongside Batata Harra (Lebanese Potatoes) and a bowl of Rocket and Parmesan Salad.

Don't own an air fryer? You can still make deliciously crispy baked chicken legs by following my Baked Chicken Leg Quarters recipe!

Why This Recipe Works?

• The air fryer cooks by blowing hot air around the food, making sure the chicken legs are cooked evenly and well. This makes the outside crispy and keeps the inside juicy and tender.

• Air frying cooks faster than oven roasting, so this air fryer fried chicken legs recipe is good for a quick and easy meal.

• With air frying, there's less mess compared to deep frying or pan frying. The air fryer basket is typically non-stick and dishwasher safe, making the cleanup process much easier.

• Air frying cooks the chicken quickly with very little oil, which helps keep the chicken's natural flavors and seasonings, making it tastier.

• Making Air Fried Chicken Leg Quarters is a great choice if you're looking for a tasty meal that won't break the bank. Leg quarters are some of the most budget-friendly cuts of meat out there.

Ingredients You'll Need

Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

• Chicken legs - For this recipe, I use bone-in, skin-on chicken leg quarters for extra flavor. Just dry them with a paper towel before baking; rinsing isn't necessary. Drumsticks, thighs, or a mix of both also work well. If you're using drumsticks or thighs, just reduce the cooking time to 20 minutes.

• Olive oil - I prefer using high-quality olive oil for the best flavor, but feel free to use any other oil of your choice or melted butter for even crispier skin.

• Seasoning - A simple seasoning blend of salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme works well, but feel free to use your favorite seasoning mixture.

How to Cook Chicken Legs in Air Fryer?

Cooking chicken leg quarters in an air fryer is very easy and straightforward. 

However, to achieve the best results you need to follow a few simple steps:

Start by patting the chicken leg quarters dry with paper towels. This helps the skin get crispy.

Avoid washing chicken pieces!

Washing raw chicken can actually spread harmful bacteria like Salmonella around your kitchen instead of getting rid of them.

In a small bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, paprika, olive oil, and thyme.

Coat each chicken leg quarter with the seasoning mixture.

Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C), if your air fryer model comes with a preheating option.

Place the seasoned chicken leg quarters in the air fryer basket. Make sure they're not overcrowded to allow for even cooking and extra crispy skin.

Cook the chicken in the air fryer for about 25-30 minutes until it's done and the skin is crispy.

Turn them over halfway through. Make sure the inside temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) with a meat thermometer.

Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking. This helps in retaining the juices.

Top Tips From the Chef

• If your air fryer has a preheat option, use it. Preheating helps cook the chicken evenly and achieve a crispy skin.

• Before marinating, pat the chicken leg quarters dry with paper towels. This removes excess moisture and helps the skin crisp up.

• Arrange the chicken leg quarters in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

• Cooking time can vary with different air fryer models. To make sure the chicken is cooked right, use a meat thermometer. The inside should be 165°F (75°C).

• Turn the chicken over halfway through cooking to achieve even browning and crispiness on all sides.

• Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to help the juices redistribute, making the meat moist and tender.

• To prevent smoke and maintain efficiency, clean your air fryer regularly, especially after cooking fatty foods like chicken skin.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Chicken Legs?

These delicious Air Fried Chicken Legs pair well with a variety of tasty side options:

• With a side of roasted vegetables, such as Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips and Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts.

• Over a bed of fluffy Turkish Rice Pilaf (Sehriyeli Pilav) or aromatic Yellow Rice (Indian Turmeric Pilau Rice).

• With a side of Pomme Purée (Creamy Mashed Potatoes) or extra crispy Duck Fat Roasted Potatoes.

• With a bowl of fresh garden salad such as Persian Shirazi Salad or Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil and Cucumber.

• With a side of warm, crusty bread such as Dutch Oven Sourdough Bread or Bolillo - Crusty Mexican Bread Rolls for soaking up any leftover juices.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating

To store, allow the chicken legs to cool to room temperature. Store them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap.

Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

To freeze, Let the chicken legs cool completely and wrap each of them individually in plastic wrap.

Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container to prevent freezer burn. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.

To reheat, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken legs on a baking sheet and cover them with foil to prevent drying out.

Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.

Recipe FAQs

Related Recipes

For more delicious quick and easy chicken recipes why not try:

Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

I hope you enjoy the process of making these juicy and tender Air Fryer Chicken Legs as much as you enjoy eating them! 🙂 

Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!