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.

📝 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
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Remove 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. 2In 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. 3Place 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. 4Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
5. 5When 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. 6Transfer chicken to a serving platter, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.