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Golden crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs stacked on a plate, garnished with fresh herbs.
Linda

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Crispy, juicy chicken legs with perfectly seasoned skin and no deep frying required.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 280
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 2 lbs chicken drumsticks about 4-5 drumsticks, patted dry
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.5 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.75 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 0.5 tsp baking powder the secret to extra crispy skin

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Meat thermometer

Method
 

Prep
  1. Pat the drumsticks completely dry with paper towels. This is crucial for crispy skin. In a large bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil until evenly coated.
  2. In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and baking powder. Sprinkle this mixture all over the chicken legs, rubbing it into the skin to coat evenly.
Cook
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F for 3 minutes. Arrange the drumsticks in a single layer with space between them; work in batches if needed. Air fry for 22-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the skin is deep golden and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
  2. Transfer the chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes. The skin will continue to crisp as it cools slightly. Serve hot with your favorite sides.

Notes

The baking powder raises the pH of the skin, helping it brown and crisp faster - do not skip it. For extra flavor, let the seasoned chicken rest uncovered in the fridge for 1-24 hours before cooking. If your air fryer is small, cook in two batches to avoid steaming; the second batch may cook slightly faster since the air fryer is already hot.