My air fryer chicken legs have become a weeknight dinner favorite in my house. The tender chicken and crispy skin has my husband and kids asking for this dinner time and time again!

My Family Favorite Air Fryer Chicken Legs Recipe

Ingredients for Air Fry Chicken Legs

• Chicken legs — about 2 pounds
• Salt
• Oregano
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Brown sugar
• Black pepper
• Olive oil

How to Cook Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F and mix together the paprika, salt, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, and black pepper in a small bowl. I add a little cayenne pepper to the mix because I like a little kick to it.

STEP TWO: Place the chicken drumsticks into a large bowl and drizzle with a bit of olive oil. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture on top, then toss to coat completely.

STEP THREE: Add the chicken inside the air fryer basket, being careful to arrange them in a single layer. It’s important not to crowd them. If I have more than what my air fryer can hold, I just cook in batches.

STEP FOUR: Air fry for about 15 minutes, making sure to flip the drumsticks halfway through. Serve immediately with your favorite sides!

Tips for Air Fried Chicken Legs

• Always preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken legs. I find that gives the chicken a nice and crispy skin while keeping the chicken juicy.
• Use bone-in skin on chicken legs to get the juiciest chicken and crispiest skin.
• Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture from the skin. This helps the oil stick better.
• Leave space between each chicken leg so the hot air can circulate and cook the chicken evenly.
• Flip the legs halfway through the cooking time to make sure all sides are browned nicely.
• Use an Instant Read Thermometer to make sure the chicken reaches 165 degrees F at the thickest point to ensure they’re fully cooked.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Reheat leftover chicken legs in the air fryer by preheating to 350 degrees F, then cooking for 5-8 minutes until heated through.

Variations and Substitutions for Air Fryer Chicken Legs

• Mix up the flavors with seasoning blends like Cajun, Italian, or even a curry mix.
• Add a glaze by brushing with BBQ sauce or honey mustard in the last few minutes to add more flavor to the protein.
• Kick up the heat by adding cayenne pepper to the seasoning or topping with your favorite hot sauce.
• Swap whole chicken legs or quarters or in for drumsticks for a different presentation.

What to serve with Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

On a typical weeknight, I love to serve these with air fryer french fries, air fryer asparagus, air fryer sweet potatoes, or air fryer tater tots with a little Texas Toast in the air fryer and salad.

If I have a little more time, I serve them alongside some acorn squash and velveeta mac and cheese.

Air Fryer Chicken Legs FAQs

How long to Cook Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer

I find chicken legs take about 15 minutes when cooked in a preheated air fryer at 400 degrees F. They are done cooking when they hit an internal temperature of 165 degrees F with a meat thermometer.

Can You Put Raw Chicken Drumsticks In An Air Fryer?

Yes! My recipe uses raw drumsticks to get crispy and juicy chicken. If I’m using already cooked chicken legs, they just need about 5 minutes to warm them back up.

How Do You Stack Chicken Legs In An Air Fryer?

The short answer is — you don’t. I recommend only cooking food, including these chicken legs, in a single layer in the air fryer basket to allow the heat to circulate and get evenly cooked chicken. Plus, it makes the chicken crispier.

How Many Pieces of Chicken Can You Put In An Air Fryer?

This will depend on how big your air fryer is and how big the pieces are. In my basket air fryer, I typically can fit 8-10 pieces, and in my air fryer oven, I can do up to 18 or so at a time.

Do You Put Foil on Chicken in the Air Fryer?

Yes, you can use aluminum foil in the air fryer to help with clean up. I find the chicken can take a minute or two longer to cook with foil. I don’t recommend covering the chicken with foil unless you don’t want a browned roasted skin.

Can I Use Parchment Paper in an Air Fryer?

Yes! You can use parchment rounds with holes specifically made for an air fryer. They help with clean up and still get your food nice and crispy. I use parchment rounds and have come to love my silicone liners for this reason.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Hot Dogs
• Pork Loin in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Hash Browns
• Air Fryer Hamburgers
• Air Fryer Pork Chops
• Air Fryer Bacon
• Air Fryer Steak

Love air frying? Join my newsletter! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or join my free Facebook Air Frying Community.