These air fryer chicken legs are seasoned with a simple blend of ingredients and cooked to absolute perfection. They are so juicy and have a crispy skin that’s out of this world addicting! I get excited when I have a recipes come out as good as this one. The seasoning, the timing, the temperature, everything comes together and makes a meal that is so unbelievably good! My air fryer has been one of my most used kitchen appliances ever and recipes like this are the reason why.
Start With Simple Ingredients
I love making recipes that use everyday ingredients which you probably already have in your pantry. For this recipe we use brown sugar, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion and garlic powder, ground mustard and a pinch of cayenne. We mix all the ingredients together in a large zip top bag, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil and 6 chicken legs. Shake it all up real well and let it marinate in the refrigerator. How long? If you can let it marinate for at least an hour, you’ll be glad you did. If you can let it marinate overnight, oh wow!
Chicken Legs Are Easy to Make in the Air Fryer
Chicken legs are a rather forgiving meat when it comes to making in an air fryer. We want to be sure to cook to an internal temperature of 165 degrees (F). If you don’t have a quick read kitchen thermometer, I highly recommend one. Not just for this dish, but it will make cooking everything that much better. The air fryer is perfect for quickly cooking the chicken legs so that they are juicy on the inside, with an unbelievably perfect crispy skin. That’s the key! We don’t have to broil or grill, just let the air fryer and the ingredients from this recipe do all the work.
How Long to Cook Air Fryer Chicken Legs?
Start with a preheated air fryer. Then use the “air fry” setting at 380 degrees (F) for 18-20 minutes, turning the chicken legs halfway through the cooking time. For smaller chicken legs it will be closer to 18 minutes. For larger chicken legs it will be closer to 20 minutes. But always take a look and use that quick read thermometer to make sure it’s an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees (F).
Don’t Need to Use Sauce
For his recipe we do not use sauce during the cooking. The ingredients are going to give you a nice barbecue flavor, while still letting the flavors of the chicken shine through. If you want to add sauce, you certainly can. Just add your favorite BBQ sauce in the last 5 minutes of the cooking time. But trust me, I don’t think you’ll need it.
Other Recipes You Might Like
If you like this recipe, you’re really gonna love a few more of our air fryer chicken recipes!
- Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Wings. Oh my goodness! Take homemade wings to a new level with this wings recipe. We expertly season the wings and then air fry them to crispy, juicy perfection. No messy sauces either. These wings are sure to be a big hit for any occasion.
- Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. We use boneless, skinless chicken thighs and a few simple ingredients to make the most mouthwatering chicken thighs that can be made in an air fryer.
- Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. Making chicken tenders in an air fryer is absolutely the best way to enjoy these crispy treats. We make a simple breading and use boneless, skinless chicken breast to make tenders that will rival any restaurant-made chicken tenders.
Recipe

Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 chicken legs
Description
Tender and delicious chicken legs cooked to perfection in an air fryer.
Ingredients
- 6 chicken legs
- 3 tbs brown sugar
- 1.5 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp ground mustard
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbs vegetable oil
Instructions
- Add all dry ingredients to a large zip top bag and shake to mix well. Add chicken to bag with vegetable oil and shake until all the chicken in coated.
- Let chicken marinate in refrigerator for at least 1 hour. The longer the better. Overnight is best!
- Preheat air fryer for 5 minutes at 380 degrees (F). Add chicken to air fryer and use “air fry” setting at 380 degrees (F) for 18-20 minutes, turning chicken halfway through. Internal temperature of chicken should be at least 165 degrees (F).
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Monica
My husband loves this recipe! This is just about the only way we eat chicken legs now.
★★★★★
Rose E Bliss
I did make this chicken recipe. It is SO delicious!
★★★★★
Julie Southwood
This was easy, fool proof and loved by all ages in the household. Will make again.
★★★★★
Dirinda Lacen
I loved your chicken breast recipe! I’m making this one tonight and think my husband and daughter will like it a lot. Right off, though, I have a problem. My air fryer goes from 375 to 390. There is no 380 setting. Very odd. I had to choose either one or the other so I went with the 375 since there’s only five degrees difference, as opposed to the ten degree difference it I went with 390.
Kee
Wonderful! I will definitely be making these again. I was in a bind, trying to come up with dinner having only chicken wings with no breadcrumbs or much of anything. I didn’t have the time to really marinate them, but they were really tasty and perfectly cooked. I’m looking forward to trying them after they’ve marinated for a while.
★★★★★
WendyD
These were delicious hot and cold. A definite repeat in my house for sure!
Kells
Absolutely amazing!!
Cat
I’m not a spicy food lover, but, I made these and actually added extra cayenne pepper. OMG, the legs were to die for. I had bleu cheese dressing to dip, and truly, they were the best damn chicken legs ever. I am using this recipe for wings this weekend. I am going to marinate them overnight. I’ll keep ya posted 🙂 Thanks for the recipe. I’ve passed it on to a few friends, and it was well received 🙂
Jo Ann
I made this and it was amazing! I air fried it additional 5 minutes for the crispiness. Everything was to the tee.
B
Time and temperature was so accurate I made my first successful chicken legs for my husband
★★★★★