Servings
Font
Back
5.0 from 9 votes

Air Fryer Chicken Legs Recipe

Cooking chicken legs (aka drumsticks) in the air fryer is easier than you think. It takes about 20 minutes and delivers the most crispy and delicious chicken. Follow the recipe for a perfectly seasoned chicken or read the notes for more seasoning ideas to make it your own.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Resting time
5 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 5 drumsticks
Calories: 129 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 5 chicken drumsticks ~ 1 1/2 pounds
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil (olive oil or avocado oil are my favorites)
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder optional
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Remove chicken legs from their packaging onto a plate and pat dry with paper towels as much as you can. Rub each drumstick with oil and set them aside.
  2. In a large bowl (or in a Ziploc bag), mix together paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, and baking powder.
  3. Place the chicken legs in the bowl (or in the Ziploc bag) and make sure that they are coated with the spice mixture on all sides.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
  5. When ready, arrange drumsticks in the air fryer basket, spaced evenly apart, alternating ends. Air fry for 10 minutes, flip and rotate and then air fry for another 7-9 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into one of the drumsticks registers 165 degrees F.
  6. Transfer chicken to a serving platter, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Seasoning Ideas: A few other tasty seasoning options include ground cumin, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, curry powder, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, thyme, and chili powder.
  • : If you want to make it a day in advance, simply dry off your chicken legs before evenly coating them with oil and seasoning. Then, store the seasoned drumsticks in a Ziploc bag in the fridge. Transfer them to a plate and let them rest for a few minutes before air frying them.
  • : Bring the drumsticks to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. It should stay fresh for up to 2 days. To reheat your drumsticks, place them in your air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-5 minutes.
  • Seasoning Ideas: A few other tasty seasoning options include ground cumin, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, curry powder, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, thyme, and chili powder.
  • To Make Ahead: If you want to make it a day in advance, simply dry off your chicken legs before evenly coating them with oil and seasoning. Then, store the seasoned drumsticks in a Ziploc bag in the fridge. Transfer them to a plate and let them rest for a few minutes before air frying them.
  • Storage: Bring the drumsticks to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. It should stay fresh for up to 2 days. To reheat your drumsticks, place them in your air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-5 minutes.

Nutrition Information

Calories 129kcal (6%) Carbohydrates 2g (1%) Protein 14g (28%) Fat 7g (11%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 3g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 70mg (23%) Sodium 398mg (17%) Potassium 200mg (6%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 299IU (6%) Vitamin C 6mg (7%) Calcium 61mg (6%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 5drumsticks

Amount Per Serving

Calories 129

% Daily Value*

Calories 129kcal 6%
Carbohydrates 2g 1%
Protein 14g 28%
Fat 7g 11%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 3g 15%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 70mg 23%
Sodium 398mg 17%
Potassium 200mg 4%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 299IU 6%
Vitamin C 6mg 7%
Calcium 61mg 6%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.