5.0 from 3 votes
Frozen Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer (Drumsticks)
Learn how to easily and quickly cook frozen chicken legs or drumsticks using an air fryer. It's a simple solution that can save dinner on numerous occasions.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 164 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 6 chicken legs drumsticks, Notes 1, 2
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or canola or olive oil
- 3 teaspoons chicken seasoning Notes 3, 4
- sauce BBQ, teriyaki, hot sauce, etc, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F/180°C as instructed by its instruction manual (mine needs 3 minutes).
- Season: Pat dry the chicken legs using paper towels. Place them in a large bowl and coat them with the oil. Sprinkle the seasoning on top and rub well to coat all over. Place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer.6 chicken legs + 2 tablespoon oil + 3 teaspoon seasoning
- Air fry the drumsticks for 15 minutes. Flip and cook for 15 minutes more or until the skin is crispy and the legs are cooked through.
- Optional: Brush the legs with some BBQ or another sauce 5 minutes before the end of the cooking time.
- Check doneness with an instant-read thermometer (the Amazon link opens in a new tab); the internal temperature should be 165°F/ 74°C (Note 5).
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Chicken legs or drumsticks: You can cook as many as they fit in the air fryer basket in a single layer without being overcrowded.
- If frozen in a block, defrost them shortly in the air fryer and then separate them. Cook them for about 5 minutes (or until you can separate them) without oil and seasoning. Separate the legs, brush them with oil, and rub them with the spices. Cook them as instructed, but remember they will need a bit longer.
- Seasoning: Use your favorite store-bought chicken seasoning or dry rub. Alternatively, use only salt and pepper, all-purpose seasoning, our homemade seasoning for chicken wings, or any spices you like (check the blog post for more ideas).
- Salt: If your store-bought seasoning has salt (like mine), there’s no need to add extra salt. But if it doesn’t contain salt, mix ½ teaspoon fine sea salt with the seasoning.
- Cooking time depends on the size of the chicken legs. Typically, it's 25 to 30 minutes. I had large ones, and it took 30 minutes for them to be cooked through. For smaller ones, check sooner. If larger, extend their time in the air fryer. The internal temperature should be 165°F/ 74°C.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1chicken leg
Calories
164kcal
(8%)
Carbohydrates
1g
(0%)
Protein
13g
(26%)
Fat
12g
(18%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
4g
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
Trans Fat
0.1g
Cholesterol
70mg
(23%)
Sodium
79mg
(3%)
Potassium
176mg
(5%)
Fiber
0.1g
(0%)
Sugar
0.03g
(0%)
Vitamin A
62IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
0.1mg
(0%)
Calcium
18mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 164
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1chicken leg | |
| Calories | 164kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 13g | 26% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 70mg | 23% |
| Sodium | 79mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 176mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 0.1g | 0% |
| Sugar | 0.03g | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 62IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 0.1mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 18mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.