Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

Close up of air fried chicken leg quarters on a white plate served next to lemon slices.

4.62 from 26 votes

These air fryer chicken leg quarters have crispy, golden skin and tender, juicy dark meat, all from a simple spice rub and no breading. A leg quarter is the drumstick and thigh together, so it's a hearty, budget-friendly dinner that's mostly hands-off. From start to finish they take about 40 minutes, and the air fryer does the work while you throw together a couple of sides.

Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Total Time40

Course: Air Fryer Recipes

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 384kcal

Author: Samantha Erb

Equipment

My favorite air fryer

Ingredients

2 chicken leg quarters
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon dried mustard
pinch crushed red pepper flakes optional
1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
In a small bowl, combine the paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried mustard, and red pepper flakes. Rub the chicken on all sides with olive oil, then sprinkle on all sides with the seasoning mix.
Place chicken in a single layer, skin-side up, in the air fryer basket. Cook for 15 minutes.
Flip the chicken and cook an additional 12-15 minutes, until the internal temperature is 165°F.
Remove the chicken and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Video

Notes

Pat the chicken dry before you add the oil for the crispiest skin. Dark meat stays juicy even past 165°F, so 175 to 185°F is great for tender, fall-off-the-bone texture. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5 to 6 minutes.

How to Cook Frozen Chicken Leg Quarters in the Air Fryer:

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
In a small bowl, combine the paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried mustard, and red pepper flakes. Rub the frozen chicken on all sides with olive oil, then sprinkle on all sides with the seasoning mix.
Place chicken in a single layer, skin-side up, in the air fryer basket. Cook for 20 minutes.
Flip the chicken and cook an additional 15-20 minutes, until the internal temperature is 165°F.
Remove the chicken and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

How to Reheat Chicken Quarters in the Air Fryer:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.

2. Place the leftover chicken leg quarters in the air fryer in a single layer. Cook for 5-6 minutes, until warmed through.

Nutrition