Try these Air Fryer Chicken Legs for a delicious alternative to traditional fried chicken. They are crispy, crunchy, and oh-so juicy without all the hassle of frying. These chicken drumsticks get a delicious crust with a bit of oil, baking powder, and seasonings. This easy dinner recipe is a delightful meal that both kids and adults can agree on.
Turn to this easy-to-make air fryer drumstick recipe when you need a quick and easy meal that never fails to delight.
You get flavorful, juicy chicken with crispy skin with less than ten minutes of hands-on time.
Air fry chicken legs once, and you will turn to this chicken recipe again and again.
Reader review
"I made these last night!! So delicious!! I’ve only had my air fryer a few weeks!! They were so good my hubby requested them again tonight!" —Elizabeth
Simple Ingredients for Making Air Fryer Drumsticks
- Pickle Brine: Pickle juice imparts flavor and keeps the chicken moist and juicy. Brining the chicken is optional but recommended.
- Chicken Drumsticks: Dry them with a paper towel before coating them with the baking powder and the seasoning mix to make sure your air fried chicken legs are nice and crispy.
- Baking Powder: Use fresh aluminum-free baking powder to avoid the chicken having a metallic taste.
- Seasonings: I use a blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, and rosemary, plus salt and black pepper. Feel free to add other spices as desired - onion powder and ground mustard are good options. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste. (I typically use 1 teaspoon of salt per pound of meat, but because the pickle brine is salty, I only use a teaspoon of salt in this recipe.)
- Oil: Us olive oil or avocado oil. I don't recommend extra virgin olive oil in this air fryer recipe because of its smoke point.
Air Fryer Benefits
- It is easy! Except for the occasional flip, food can mostly be left alone. The temperatures are well-regulated, and many models have an automatic shut-off when the cooking time is done. No more babysitting oil to ensure it maintains the proper temperature or standing over a hot stove.
- It is fast. Thanks to convection fans, foods cook in less time than they do in the oven. Generally speaking, you can reduce cooking time by about 20% to 25%.
- Clean-up is a breeze. You can say goodbye to oil splattered all over the kitchen, as well as having pots and pans strewn everywhere. And bonus: most air fryers have baskets that are dishwasher safe.
Tips & Tricks
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- Air fryers vary in intensity, so take the recommended time as a guideline. I recommend using an instant-read thermometer. The chicken drumsticks should reach an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees.
- For crispy chicken, make sure that you don't overcrowd it! This means cooking in batches if necessary.
- Don't skip patting the chicken dry when you remove it from the brine. Excess moisture can prevent the chicken from crisping up.
- You can use this recipe to make air fryer chicken leg quarters. You will need to increase the cooking time by about 10 minutes - use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked all the way through.
Variations
- For an extra kick, add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper to the seasonings.
- Add ½ cup grated parmesan to the flour mixture.
- After the chicken has cooked, toss it in bbq sauce or buffalo sauce.
Serving Suggestions
This recipe is so versatile - most any side dish will do!
Some fun options include zucchini fries, no mayo coleslaw, keto coleslaw, Instant Pot black-eyed peas, air fryer Brussels sprouts, or slow cooker collard greens.
I like to serve this air fryer chicken drumsticks recipe with a side of Greek yogurt ranch or honey mustard
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need to Use Oil with My Air Fryer?
While you don't need to use a lot of oil, if you want crispy air fryer chicken, you will want to use a little oil.
Can I Stack Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer? Can You Stand Chicken Legs Up in An Air Fryer?
No! If you stack chicken in the air fryer, it will not crisp up. I recommend that you do not stand the chicken legs up or stack them.
For best results, cook them in a single layer, being sure not to overcrowd them.
Do I Need to Flip Chicken in the Air Fryer?
Yes - I recommend flipping your chicken for best results.
What Temperature Do You Cook Chicken Drumsticks in the Air Fryer?
For crispy air fried chicken legs, I recommend cooking at 400° F.
Recommended Equipment to Make This Recipe
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- Mixing Bowl
- Air Fryer (I have had MANY air fryers and this is my favorite.)
- Breading Trays or Shallow Dishes
- Oil Mister or Silicone Brush
- Instant Read Meat Thermometer
Storage
Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to four days.
You may freeze the cooked air fryer chicken drumsticks for up to three months. I prefer to pull the meat off the bone when freezing, but this is a matter of personal preference.
How to Cook Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer
First, start by pouring the pickle brine into a bowl and adding the drumsticks.
Toss to coat and allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
Preheat your air fryer and remove the chicken from the brine. Pat dry with paper towels.
Combine the baking powder and seasonings.
Using a brush or your hands, coat the chicken with the oil.
Next, coat the chicken with the seasoning mix. (I like to place the seasonings in a shallow dish and use tongs to coat. You could also use a large bowl.)
Place in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer.
To make sure this air fryer chicken legs recipe stays crisp, it is important not to overcrowd, so you may need to cook in batches.
Cook for 10 minutes and then flip. Cook for another 8 to 12 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160° F.
Allow the chicken to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Oven Baked Chicken Legs
Don't have an air fryer? Preheat oven to 350. Bake for 1 hour, flipping after 30 minutes
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes to Try
- Easy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets are the perfect easy weeknight meal.
- Your family will beg you to make this Air Fryer Chicken Breast again and again!
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings work well as an appetizer or easy weeknight dinner.
- Make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs once, and you will be hooked.
30-Minute Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup pickle juice optional
- 2 pounds chicken drumsticks
- 1 tablespoon baking powder gluten free if necessary
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
Instructions
- Optional: Place the pickle brine in a bowl and add the drumsticks. Allow to marinade at room temperature for 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 400 degrees.
- Remove the chicken from the pickle brine and pat dry.
- In a small bowl combine the baking powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and dried rosemary. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (I used 1 teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of pepper.)
- Coat the chicken with the oil and then with the seasoning mixture.
- Cook in a single layer for 10 minutes. Flip and cook for another 8 to 12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165° F. (Keep in mind that air fryers vary greatly, so use an instant read thermometer to make sure your chicken is done.)
Wolfpackboyz says
This really was so good!!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it. My hubby wants me to make it again tonight and I just made it last night. Only thing I did was cook it a tad bit longer but otherwise I followed the recipe as is.
Wendy Polisi says
So glad that you enjoyed it! This is one of our favorites too.
Pat Balch says
Hi Wendy,
Is it possible to brown chicken in the air fryer prior to finishing in the oven? I have several
recipes that require browning for 3 or 4 minutes per side before placing in oven to finish with
sauce.
Thank you.
Pat
Wendy Polisi says
I don't see why not! I use my air fryer for everything - I can't remember the last time I reheated food any other way. I would spray it with oil before putting it in so you get a nice crispy brown.
Rhonda tate says
What brand and model number is the best airfryer to cook lots of chicken legs? Please text me at 405-931-1949
Wendy Polisi says
Hi Rhonda,
I like the Phillips XXL!
Louis says
The brine is just pickle juice?
Wendy Polisi says
Yes, sorry if my wording was confusing.
Mary Mrozinski says
I have a Bkack and Decker toaster oven air fryer would this recipe work in it just got it for Christmas?
Wendy Polisi says
Yes, it should work just fine. I don’t have that toaster air fryer, but I do have two others and the recipe has been tested in both. (I have six air fryers from writing an air fryer cookbook.) Just keep in mind every air fryer is slightly different so you may need to adjust the time slightly. In general, toaster oven styles could take a bit longer than basket.
Sole says
Hi, what other liquid can you use in stead of the pickle juice .
Thanks
Wendy Polisi says
You could use buttermilk.
Myron Wells says
Hello:
My name is Myron and I did your chicken leg recipe and how wonderful it came out. I had to make subs for the pickle juice with white vinger, sesame oil for avacado oil, and sage powder for rosemary. Still and all me and my hubby ate 6 piece's and I ended up making more. I actually made them in my Ninja Foodi grill on air crisp. This will be my go too doing the week!!!
Wendy Polisi says
I am so glad that you enjoyed them! They are a favorite here too. I love making them in my Ninja Foodi Grill!
GordN says
Why does the baking powder need to be gluten free?
Wendy Polisi says
It doesn't need to be. That is just there because to remind those that need to be gluten free that baking powder can have gluten in it. I've changed the wording so it is clearer.