Try these Air Fryer Fried Chicken Legs for a healthier alternative to fried chicken. They are crispy, crunchy and oh so delicious, without all the added fat. These Air Fryer Chicken Legs are loved by children and adults alike.
If you follow me on Facebook, then you know that an Air Fryer was on the top of my Christmas list for 2017. I was talking about it so much that hubby bought me one a couple of weeks before Christmas. (I think he was tired of hearing me drop not-too-subtle hints about it.)
I am happy to report that I love it even more than I had hoped.
It is such a great way to create easy weeknight meals, like these Air Fryer Chicken Legs.
So far, in addition to this Air Fryer Fried Chicken, we’ve made steaks, Brussels sprouts, french fries and sandwiches in the Air Fryer. All have been a smashing success.
I knew I was going to love my Air Fryer, but I didn’t realize that it was something that we were going to use almost every day. To be honest, I am pretty shocked that the air fryer works as well as it does! It isn’t that I was skeptical, exactly.
More that I expected to feel like we were sacrificing in some way. (Like Air Popped Popcorn. It is good, but not near as tasty as the “real” thing.)
I am happy to report that I feel zero sense of sacrifice over traditionally fried foods. (And that is saying something. I love to create healthy recipes, but I am also a Southern girl at heart.)
The boys love chicken legs, and I love that I can make these Air Fryer Chicken Legs for them without having to stink up my house with oil or go to the trouble of frying. Plus, since Alex is now a teen, these are something that the boys can make for themselves and I don’t have to be neurotic about them burning themselves with hot oil. (Or burning down the house with the gas stove.)
You know what is even better?
They are so much better for them than traditional fried chicken.
Let’s be honest. Nothing screams comfort food like fried chicken. This healthier remake offers all the same comfort without the guilt.
This Air Fryer Fried Chicken is moist, tender and crispy.
It is one that is in the regular rotation at our house.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryers That Are Helpful for Making Air Fryer Fried Chicken:
What is Air Frying?
- Air Frying is a method of using convection heat to cook with less fat. The goal is to create healthier dishes with less fat.
How Does an Air Fryer Work?
- Air Fryers work by circulating hot air around the cooking chamber using a convection fan. The result is delicious crispy food with all the flavor of deep fried foods but a fraction of the fat.
Can You Do Anything Other Than Fry in an Air Fryer?
- Air Fryers aren’t just for frying! You can bake, grill and roast in most air fryers thanks to the optional accessories offered by most manufacturers.
Recommended Equipment to Make Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- 1/2 cup pickle brine from a refrigerated jar of pickles
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken drumsticks
- 3/4 cup gluten free flour (use regular flour if you aren't gluten free)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and Pepper to taste (I used 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper)
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 tablespoon Avocado Oil I use a spray
- Pour pickle brine into a medium bowl and add chicken drumsticks. Allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 390 degrees.
- Remove chicken drumsticks from pickle brine and gently pat dry.
- In a shallow dish, combine flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
- In a separate bowl, beat eggs together.
- Dip chicken legs in the eggs and then coat with the flour mixture.
- Shake off any excess flour.
- Spray the chicken with oil.
- Cook for 10 minutes and turn the chicken. Cook another 8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Oven Baked Chicken Legs
Alternatively, Preheat oven to 375. Bake for 1 hour, flipping after 30 minutes
Clean-Up Tip for Air Fryer Fried Chicken
For easy clean up, line the bottom of your air fryer with parchment paper. Once you are done cooking, allow to cool slightly and then hand wash. Rinse. Turn your Air Fryer back on for a few minutes to dry.
Variations for Air Fryer Fried Chicken Legs
- In place of the pickle brine, try this Rosemary Buttermilk Brine. Proceed with the rest of the recipe as normal.
- For an extra kick, add in 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the seasonings.
- Add 1/2 cup grated parmesan to the flour mixture.
If You Like These Air Fried Chicken Drumsticks You May Also Like:
- Smokey Chicken with Avocado Sauce
- Turmeric Chicken & Quinoa
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos with Mango Salsa
- Chicken & Bean Tostadas with Smokey Lime Sauce
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast Recipe
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes:
- Chicken Parmesan in the Air Fryer from Skinnytaste
- Rotisserie Chicken from This Old Gal (she has lots of Air Fryer Recipes you should check out)
- Air Fryer Roast Chicken from BitznGiggles
I have never used an air fryer before but all of my friends tell me how fantastic it is. And now, here you are with this delicious chicken recipe – I gotta get on that!
I have been thinking of the air fryer for quite sometime now. These chicken legs look incredible thank you for the overview!
Looks delicious! Recently we switch to air frying coz it is more healthier and the cooking is more convenient for us.
Oh, this is awesome, I’ve never heard of one of these. I don’t eat fried foods, but with this, I can certainly try some great recipes that will taste just as good as fried. thanks!
I love air fried chicken very much..I will surely try this out.
I might have to ask for an air fryer for Valentine’s Day (romantic, huh?). The chicken looks so delicious and I love the idea of fried food with less fat.
Wow! These look and sound delicious. I actually got an air fryer for Christmas and this would be perfect to make in it.
I’ve always wanted to try the air fryer. One of my friends swears by it.
These look so good. I have been wanting to get an air fryer!
Looks delicious, yummy and healthy. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Oh wow! That looks so crispy. My mom got an air fryer recently. I’ll have to have her make me some.
I keep hearing about these air fryers I am going to have to get myself one thats for sure with all they can do and not as much cleanup and healthier as well I must gt one.
I would love to have air fryer because it’s healthier. This looks so delicious!
I have been hearing so much about air fryers! Looking forward to when I eventually have a bigger kitchen and have space for more appliances like that!
Fried chicken is a favorite here. But it is not healthy to eat every day. I should get an air fryer soon!
These look amazing – so incredibly crunchy! I am so intrigued by the air fryer – it seems too good to be true!
I think you just made me put an air fryer on my wish list. 🙂
Yum! I’ve been hearing that an air fryer is a must have. I also love this recipe because chicken legs are so cheap!
I made minus the brine step, no pickle juice available. They were great! I can’t imagine how much better they will be with the brine!
So glad that you enjoyed them! I do love the brine, but I’ve made these many times without because I was short on time or we didn’t have pickle juice.
Well, it looks like I need an air fryer!
Do you leave the skin on?
Yes, I did! I personally don’t like chicken skin but my boys love it.
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! However, I was thinking of making them tender style. Is there any tips or things I should change to make compatible?
So glad you enjoyed them as much as we do! I am definitely Air Fryer obsessed. You could use the coating from the Chicken Legs and the time from this recipe: https://wendypolisi.com/air-fryer-chicken-breast/
Be on the look out for lots more Air Fryer recipes in the near future.
Found this recipe while I was thawing out chicken legs in the microwave and I just knew I had to try out the pickle brine. My husband compared it to “if chik-fil-a made regular fried chicken”. I dunno if it was because the brine we had was from homemade too salty refrigerated pickles, but they got a lot of the flavor for only 45 minutes of brine. Juicy and crispy, awesome! Thanks for posting.
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.
So glad that you enjoyed it! This is one of our favorites too.