Air Fryer Chicken Legs (Drumsticks) is a crispy, crunchy, and healthy dish loaded with full of flavors. It is usually made with chicken drumsticks, basic pantry seasonings, lemon juice, and olive oil. These Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks are one of the best chicken dishes that can be made in under 30 minutes. It usually tastes great with roasted or baked vegetables, salads, rice dishes, and grains for both lunch and dinner.
The recipe that I have shared here provides step-by-step instructions on how to make Air Fryer Chicken Legs. Additionally, I have included a detailed video of the recipe below to make the cooking process even easier.
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What are Air Fryer Chicken Legs?
Air Fryer Chicken Legs (Drumsticks) is a crispy, delicious, and healthy alternative to traditional fried chicken dishes. It is basically made with pantry staples like garlic powder, chili powder, coriander, and black pepper powder. It is one of the easy-to-make air fryer dishes that can be whipped up quickly on busy weeknights. These Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks tastes great with roasted or baked vegetables, salads, rice dishes, or grains.
Air Fryer Chicken Legs are just as delicious as baked chicken drumsticks, if not more so. The air fryer cooking method results in perfectly crispy and golden brown chicken legs without the need for excessive oil, making it a healthier option.
The benefits of air frying go beyond just the health factor - it also saves time and effort. With air fryer chicken legs, you can have a delicious and healthy dinner on the table in just a matter of minutes. The result is a dish that is bursting with flavor and perfect for a family dinner or weekend get-together.
Overall, Air Fryer Chicken Legs are the perfect dish for those looking for a healthy and tasty meal that is easy to make. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight chicken dinner or a delicious and healthy meal for the whole family, Air Fryer Chicken Legs are sure to be a hit. So why not try it out and enjoy the benefits of air frying today?
Ingredients & Substitutions
The ingredients you will need to make Air Fryer Chicken Legs are basic pantry seasonings that you can easily find at your local grocery store. Let's take a closer look at the list of ingredients below.
- Fresh or frozen chicken legs (drumsticks): Chicken legs are flavorful and juicy, and work well in the air fryer. You can use fresh or frozen chicken legs for this recipe, but be sure to thaw frozen chicken legs before cooking
- Chili powder: Adds mild heat and smokiness to the chicken
- Coriander powder: Has a warm, citrusy flavor that pairs well with chicken
- Black pepper powder: Adds a subtle heat and earthy flavor to the chicken
- Garlic powder: Gives the chicken a savory and slightly sweet flavor
- Lemon juice: Adds brightness and tanginess to the chicken
- Olive oil: Helps to keep the chicken moist and adds a mild fruitiness to the flavor
- Salt: Enhances the flavor of the chicken and helps to bring out its natural juices
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Legs (Drumsticks) at Home?
The recipe I have shared here is Air Fryer Chicken Legs (Drumsticks), a crispy and delicious alternative to traditional fried chicken. Made with simple pantry staples, it is the perfect food for busy weeknights.
Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below.
- Season Chicken Legs - To start, you need to marinate the chicken legs in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, chili powder, coriander powder, garlic powder, black pepper powder, and salt. It's important to mix the ingredients well so that they coat the drumsticks evenly. Also patting the chicken legs dry with a kitchen towel helps to remove excess moisture and allows the seasonings to adhere better
- Preheat the Air Fryer - Next, you need to preheat the air fryer. Most air fryers have a default temperature and time setting, but it's always a good idea to check your air fryer's instructions for better guidance. In general, you want to preheat the air fryer to around 400° F for 5 minutes
- Place the Chicken Legs - After preheating, place the marinated chicken legs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure you place them without overcrowding them. Overcrowding can result in uneven cooking and can lead to the chicken legs being undercooked or overcooked
- Air Fry the Drumsticks - Set the air fryer to 380° F for 25 minutes, flipping the chicken legs over halfway through the cooking process. This helps ensure that the chicken legs cook evenly on both sides and get crispy and golden brown
- Check the Internal Temperature - Once the cooking is complete, it's important to check the internal temperature of the chicken legs using a kitchen thermometer. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of at least 165° F to ensure that it is safe to eat
Tips
There are a few tips to consider when air frying chicken legs to ensure they come out crispy and delicious:
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheating the air fryer ensures that it is hot enough to cook the chicken legs evenly and helps to achieve a crispy exterior
- Use the right temperature and cooking time: It's important to use the right temperature and cooking time for the chicken legs to ensure they are cooked through and crispy. This may vary depending on the type and size of the chicken legs. Also depends on the specific model of the air fryer. So always refer to the instructions that came with your air fryer
- Do not overcrowd: Overcrowding the air fryer basket can result in uneven cooking. It's important to leave enough space between the chicken legs to allow for proper air circulation. This ensures they cook evenly
- Flip the chicken legs halfway: Flipping the chicken legs over halfway through helps to ensure they cook evenly. It also helps to achieve a crispy and golden brown leg
- Check the internal temperature: It's important to check the internal temperature of the chicken legs using a kitchen thermometer. The safest internal temperature for consuming chicken, as recommended by the FDA, is at least 165°F
- Seasonings: Seasonings are a crucial part of making flavorful chicken legs in the air fryer. In addition to the seasoning mix mentioned earlier, you can also experiment with different spices and herbs that suit your taste buds. Some popular options include paprika, cumin, oregano, thyme, and rosemary. You can also add a touch of sweetness with brown sugar or honey
Storage Suggestions
These Air Fryer Chicken Legs stay fresh for up to 2 days in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. To enjoy it again, simply reheat it in the air fryer at 350°F until it is heated through evenly.
Serving Suggestions
There are many options to serve with Air Fryer Chicken Legs or Drumsticks. Here are some ideas:
- Roasted vegetables: Consider serving your chicken with some roasted veggies, such as broccoli, carrots, green beans, zucchini, brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes. You can toss them in olive oil and season them with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs
- Salad: A simple salad can complement your chicken nicely. Consider a Caesar salad, mixed greens with vinaigrette, or a Greek salad
- Rice dishes or quinoa: If you want to add some grains to your meal, consider serving your chicken with some white rice, jasmine rice, brown rice, basmati rice, or quinoa
- Baked potatoes: Another option is some baked potatoes. You can top them with sour cream, chives, cheese, or any other toppings you like
- Pasta Dishes: Pastas make a delicious side dish, especially alfredo pasta, pesto pasta, and garlic parmesan pasta
Related Recipes
You could also find similar recipes below and more at air fryer recipes and chicken recipes.
- Baked Chicken Drumsticks
- Chicken Lollipop
- Tandoori Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
More roasted and baked recipes:
- Oven Fried Chicken Tenders
- Baked Chicken Thighs
- Baked Chicken Breast
- Baked Chicken Wings
- Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
Air Fryer Chicken Legs (Drumsticks) Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Air Fryer Chicken Legs Recipe below that I hope will help you make a healthy meal at home. You can also find this recipe in story format.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Legs (Drumsticks)
Ingredients
- 6 Chicken Legs (Drumsticks)
- 1½ tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1½ tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Chili Powder, or adjust according to your heat level
- 1½ tsp Coriander Powder
- ¾ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Black Pepper Powder
- Salt, to taste
- Oil Spray, for oil spraying the basket
Instructions
To make Air Fryer Chicken Legs (Drumsticks)
- To prepare the chicken legs in the air fryer, start by placing them in a bowl and adding lemon juice, olive oil, chili powder, coriander powder, garlic powder, black pepper powder, and salt. Mix everything well until the seasonings coat the drumsticks evenly. (Note that patting the chicken legs dry with a kitchen towel before seasoning helps remove excess moisture)
- Next, open the air fryer basket and spray it with oil. Preheat the air fryer to 400° F for 5 minutes, or according to the instructions of your specific air fryer model
- Once the air fryer is preheated, place the marinated chicken legs in a single layer in the basket without overcrowding it. Close the air fryer and set the temperature to 380° F for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking process
- Once the air fryer beeps, open it and check that the chicken legs have reached a safe internal temperature of 165° F using a kitchen thermometer. Usually chicken would have cooked by this time, if not feel free to cook them for additional 3 to 5 minutes
To Serve
- Serve the crispy and crunchy Chicken Legs with roasted vegetables such as broccoli, zucchini, carrots, or asparagus, or sauces like chili sauce, tartar sauce, or tzatziki sauce or with a bowl of white rice, brown rice, or pasta dishes for a satisfying meal
Video
Notes
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheating the air fryer ensures that it is hot enough to cook the chicken legs evenly and helps to achieve a crispy exterior
- Use the right temperature and cooking time: It's important to use the right temperature and cooking time for the chicken legs to ensure they are cooked through and crispy. This may vary depending on the type and size of the chicken legs. Also depends on the specific model of the air fryer. So always refer to the instructions that came with your air fryer
- Do not overcrowd: Overcrowding the air fryer basket can result in uneven cooking. It's important to leave enough space between the chicken legs to allow for proper air circulation. This ensures they cook evenly
- Flip the chicken legs halfway: Flipping the chicken legs over halfway through helps to ensure they cook evenly. It also helps to achieve a crispy and golden brown leg
- Check the internal temperature: It's important to check the internal temperature of the chicken legs using a kitchen thermometer. The safest internal temperature for consuming chicken, as recommended by the FDA, is at least 165°F
- Seasonings: Seasonings are a crucial part of making flavorful chicken legs in the air fryer. In addition to the seasoning mix mentioned earlier, you can also experiment with different spices and herbs that suit your taste buds. Some popular options include paprika, cumin, oregano, thyme, and rosemary. You can also add a touch of sweetness with brown sugar or honey
Nutrition
FAQ
Air Fryer Chicken Legs (Drumsticks) is a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken dishes. They are made with pantry staples like garlic powder, chili powder, coriander, and black pepper powder, and are easy to make in an air fryer. The air fryer cooking method results in perfectly crispy and golden brown chicken legs without the need for excessive oil, making it a healthier option. It's a delicious and satisfying meal that can be whipped up quickly on busy weeknights.
The internal temperature for fully cooked drumsticks should reach 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption. To achieve this temperature, you can cook drumsticks in an air fryer at 380°F for about 20-25 minutes. This may be depending on their size and thickness. It's always a good idea to check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached 165°F before serving.
It's generally not recommended to stack drumsticks in an air fryer, as it can prevent the hot air from circulating evenly. This may lead to unevenly cooked chicken. It's best to arrange the drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them to allow for proper air circulation. If you have a lot of drumsticks to cook, you may need to cook them in batches to ensure they cook evenly.
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
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