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.
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
Srtaxguy
I had legs, thighs and wings to use up, and we adjusted the time accordingly. The recipe is easy, tastes so good- and I used avocado oil instead of vegetable oil. Delish!
★★★★★
Karen
I made this and loved the ease of the recipe plus it was delicious!
I am trying it now with thighs.
Has anyone used olive oil rather than vegetable oil? Just wondering if that might change flavors.
★★★★★
Yo
I have used this recipe several times andI never do that. I am always searching for the next best thing. And I never post. This is delicious and more is marinating right now.
Cheryl
Oh my! I LOVE this recipe! I will use this forever! So delicious, so moist! I’m thinking it using it for chicken wings too! Thank you!
★★★★★
Betsy
Fixed this tonight for dinner. Yummy!!!
★★★★★
Elizabeth Bateman
I accidentally used 3 tbsp of oil and it was pretty wet. They are marinading for 90 min. Wish me well.
★★★★★
Gabby
Sounds yummy ! I have all of the ingredients except one….
Can I use regular mustard if I don’t have the ground one? Or what is the best substitute?
★★★★★
RecipeTeacher
Hi Gabby,
It’s not that you “can’t” use regular mustard, but you’ll get the optimal results with the seasonings being a dry rub. That said, just leave the ground mustard out. But if you get a chance I’d recommend picking some up. It’s an excellent ingredient for many recipes.
Phyllis J Keenum
I don’t do Instagram or Pinterest or hashtag stuff. I’m 73 years old & like things as simple as possible. Therefore, would you please make your pictures so they can be copied? I like to copy recipes I like with their pictures, and I do like your recipes, and paste then in a “recipe file” I have set up for me. I like to see what a recipe is going to look like when I get ready to make it. Thank you for considering doing so.
Sara
This was so delicious! Will try the chicken thighs next. Thank you
RecipeTeacher
Thanks Sara!
Tamara Russell
Perfect recipe. The cayenne gave it a kick. My husband thought it was a little spicy, but he thinks everything is spicy. Lol
I thought but was the perfect blend of sweet and spice
★★★★★
Melissa
Amazing! Loved it! Best one I tried yet! I’ll make it again!
★★★★★