Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs (Drumsticks)

Air Fryer Chicken Legs (Drumsticks) that are quick to make in just 30 minutes. They are nicely browned and crispy outside while juicy inside, and have an amazing Asian flavor that the whole family will love. They make a healthy, easy dinner meal-- just like our air fryer chicken thighs. Watch our VIDEO!

Looking for a mess-free yet quick and healthy dinner recipe? These chicken drumsticks in air fryer fit the bill! 

How to cook chicken legs in air fryer

1. Preheat the air fryer to 375° F (190° C) for at least 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, gather the ingredients and prepare the marinade.
2. Whisk together garlic powder, onion powder, salt, olive oil, lime juice, ground ginger, soy sauce, honey, and sriracha in a large bowl.
3. Put the drumsticks into the bowl and massage them with the mixture until fully covered. If you have time, let them marinate at room temp for 20-30 minutes at least. Otherwise, skip marinating!
4. Place medium to large chicken drumsticks into the air fryer tray or basket in a single layer, leaving space between them for air to circulate. This is key for even cooking!
5. Cook them for 15 minutes. Then, flip the legs and cook for 10 minutes more. They will have a nice browned exterior. Check the internal temp with a thermometer – it must reach 160 F (71 C). If not, cook for 3-5 minutes more until cooked through. For smaller drumsticks, it will take less time to cook (around 18-20 minutes total).
6. If cooking whole chicken legs (thighs and drumsticks attached together), it must take about 30-40 minutes total to fully cook.
7. Garnish them with chopped green onion and sesame seeds. Serve with a side of your choice.

WATCH OUR VIDEO FOR THE STEP-BY-STEP RECIPE! 

Ingredients and Substitutions

Make this air fryer chicken legs recipe with simple pantry ingredients. It will have mildly sweet, sour, spicy, and savory flavors that will keep you coming for more.

• Chicken drumsticks – I used only the drumsticks instead of the whole legs (thighs with drumsticks attached). But you can use the whole legs – you’ll just need to double the amount of the other ingredients because whole chicken legs are larger than the drumsticks (a section of the legs).
• Seasonings and spices – I seasoned these air fryer chicken legs with garlic powder, garlic onion, salt, and ground ginger. But you can replace or add any seasoning or spice of your choice.
• Soy sauce – I used low-sodium soy sauce. If you use the regular soy sauce, use less salt.
• Olive oil – this is what I had at home, but you can use any oil with a high smoke point that tastes good. Or use a mixture of sesame oil and peanut oil to keep the ingredient within the Asian spectrum-- more precisely Chinese, which is the cuisine that inspired our recipe. 
• Lime juice – you may use lemon juice instead, or rice vinegar, although the latter is less sour.
• Honey – you can use light brown sugar instead.
• Sriracha – replace with any hot sauce that you may have on hand, chili powder, or simply skip it.
• Garnishes – chopped onions or cilantro and sesame seeds make great Asian garnishes. 

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

This is a quick easy dinner recipe that's perfect for busy weekdays.

It requires no cooking skills! You just have to mix some ingredients, marinate the drumsticks for at least 20-30 minutes (if you have time), and then cook in a preheated air fryer at 375 F (190 C) for about 25 minutes, flipping the legs only once. No need for extra oil to grease the air fryer basket because the marinade already contains oil.

Then garnish the legs with chopped green onion and sesame seeds. No sauce, such as honey mustard or BBQ sauce, is even needed!

They get nicely browned with crispy skin outside and a juicy, tender inside. And they are so darn delish! Plus, they have no breading and are low-carb. Make sure to check the internal temperature to be sure that they have fully cooked – it must reach 160° F (71° C); otherwise, you need to cook them for an additional 3-5 minutes.

These chicken legs in the air fryer are so easy that a child can learn to make this recipe on her/his own.

Although whole chicken legs contain 2 sections-- thighs and drumsticks-- attached together, I used only the chicken drumsticks.

But you are welcome to use the whole legs – just double the amount of the other ingredients and adjust the cooking time.

HOW LONG TO AIR FRY CHICKEN LEGS?

Make sure to preheat the air fryer for at least 10-15 minutes at 375° F (190° C). Then, cook the medium to large chicken drumsticks in air fryer for 15 minutes. Flip them only once and cook for 10 minutes more. If needed, cook for 3-5 minutes or until cooked through. For smaller chicken drumsticks, it will take around 18 minutes to fully cook. A digital meat thermometer is your best ally and can tell you when they are fully cooked. The internal temperature must reach at least 160° F (71° C).

They will have a nice browned exterior!

Don’t forget that whole chicken legs take more time to cook (around 30-40 minutes) than drumsticks (20-25 minutes) at the temperature stated above.

TIPS FOR MAKING AIR FRYER CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS:

• We used chicken drumsticks for this recipe but you can use whole chicken legs (thighs and drumsticks attached together). Chicken wings will take less time to cook!
• Use any oil with a high smoke point. We add olive oil to ours, but you can use a combination of peanut oil and sesame oil for keeping the recipe within the scope of Asian flavors. 
• To make these air fried chicken drumsticks, do not overcrowd the air fryer because it prevents even cooking and the chicken won’t get as crispy.
• Always preheat the air fryer for at least 10-15 minutes for crispier chicken and fast cooking.
• Chicken must reach an internal temperature of 160° F (71° C). Insert it into the middle of the thickest part of the chicken drumstick without touching the bone.
• Pat the drumsticks dry with a paper towel before marinating and air frying. This helps to keep from diluting the marinade mixture.
• Always cook air fryer drumsticks in batches for smaller air fryers -- to prevent overcrowding it! You can easily double this recipe for larger families.
• You can adjust the seasonings to your liking. If you prefer, serve the drumsticks with a sauce, although this is not needed.
• Just like the oven, do not open your air fryer often while cooking, allowing heat or hot air to escape.
• For more chicken recipes, try our baked chicken thighs, baked chicken breast, Instant Pot whole chicken, among other chicken recipes. 

What to serve Air Fried Chicken Drumsticks with?

You can pair these crispy chicken legs with many sides such as sticky rice (jasmine rice or basmati rice go well with them, too) and air fryer bok choy.

Some of my other favorites are French fries, Brussels sprouts, and roasted carrots and parsnips.

Are Chicken Drumsticks in Air Fryer Healthy?

Yes! As they contain much less fat than Southern fried chicken and also because they are low-carb and gluten-free (since not breaded). They are great if you are on a keto diet! You are not deep frying, but air frying your chicken.

Storage

• This is such a delicious recipe that there will be few leftovers. If needed, store air fryer chicken legs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in air fryer for 10 minutes.
• Freeze them in a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months. To reheat them from frozen, place them in the air fryer for about 15-20 minutes, or thaw in the fridge and reheat in the air fryer for 10 minutes.

Other Air Fryer Recipes

• Air fryer chicken wings
• Air fryer shrimp
• Yuca fries
• Churros with chocolate sauce

 

PIN & ENJOY!

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