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Closeup of the chicken legs in the air fryer basket all done air frying.
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4.82 from 11 votes

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs

These air fryer chicken legs come out with super crispy skin and juicy dark meat every time. I toss the drumsticks in a simple blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and a little brown sugar, then let the air fryer do the rest. They cook in about 15 to 17 minutes at 400 degrees F, way faster than the oven, for an easy weeknight dinner that tastes like you fussed over it.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time17 minutes
Total Time22 minutes
Course: Air Fryer Recipes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 456kcal
Author: Samantha Erb

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken legs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
  • Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel.
  • Add the chicken legs, oil, paprika, salt, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix to coat all sides.
  • Place the chicken in a single layer with space between each leg and air fry them for 15 to 17 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they reach an internal temperature of 170-185 degrees F.

Video

Notes

Pat the drumsticks completely dry before seasoning for the crispiest skin. Cook at 400 degrees F for 15 to 17 minutes, flipping halfway, until the internal temperature reaches 170-185 degrees F. For extra crispy skin, bump the heat to 425 degrees F for the last few minutes and watch closely so the seasonings don't burn.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, put them back in the air fryer at 375 degrees F for 4 to 5 minutes to crisp the skin back up.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 456kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 55g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 288mg | Sodium: 753mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g