Description
This Air Fryer Chicken Legs recipe delivers juicy, flavorful drumsticks with irresistibly crispy skin in under 30 minutes. Perfectly seasoned with a blend of garlic, onion, smoked paprika, and herbs, these gluten-free chicken legs are an easy and healthy main course that comes together quickly in the air fryer for a convenient weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 6 chicken drumsticks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasoning Mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 to 5 minutes to ensure it reaches the optimal temperature before cooking.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture which helps achieve crispy skin. Place the drumsticks in a large bowl.
- Coat with Olive Oil: Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken drumsticks and toss them well to coat evenly. This helps the seasoning stick and promotes browning while air frying.
- Mix and Apply Seasonings: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper if using. Sprinkle this seasoning mix over the chicken and rub it in thoroughly so every piece is well coated.
- Arrange in Air Fryer Basket: Place the seasoned chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure to leave some space between each drumstick for even air circulation.
- Cook the Chicken: Air fry the drumsticks at 400°F for 10 minutes. Then flip each piece over and cook for an additional 10 to 12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crisp and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken legs from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute making the chicken tender and juicy.
Notes
- For extra crispy skin, spray the chicken lightly with cooking spray before air frying.
- You can marinate the chicken for a few hours beforehand to deepen the flavor.
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper according to your heat preference.
