Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs Recipe

If you want to learn how to cook perfectly Crispy Chicken Legs in Your Air Fryer for a delicious weeknight dinner, this recipe is perfect for you!

Crispy on the outside and juicy inside, these air-fried chicken leg quarters are ideal for serving alongside Batata Harra (Lebanese Potatoes) and a bowl of Rocket and Parmesan Salad.

Chicken legs and thighs are more affordable than chicken breasts, are loaded with flavor, and the leftovers are perfect for creating delicious recipes such as Chicken and Dumpling Soup or Creamy Chicken Enchiladas with White Sauce.

All you need is 5 minutes of hands-on preparation and a few basic ingredients you might already have in your fridge.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken Leg Quarters – For this recipe, use bone-in, skin-on chicken leg quarters to enhance the flavor. Simply pat them dry with a paper towel before baking—no need for rinsing. Drumsticks, thighs, or a combination of both works great too. In the case of drumsticks or thighs, reduce the cooking time to 20 minutes.

• Olive oil – I prefer using high-quality olive oil for the best flavor but feel free to use any other oil. Use melted butter for extra crispy skin.

• Seasoning – A mixture of salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme works well, but feel free to use your favorite seasoning blend.

How To Air Fry Chicken Leg Quarters?

Air Frying chicken leg quarters is straightforward and to achieve the best results you need to follow a few simple steps:

Start by drying the chicken leg quarters with paper towels to help the skin get crispy. 

Don’t wash the chicken pieces! Washing raw chicken can actually spread harmful bacteria like Salmonella around your kitchen instead of getting rid of them.

Combine salt, black pepper, paprika, olive oil, and thyme in a small bowl.

Apply the seasoning mixture to each chicken leg quarter, ensuring even coating.

Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) if it includes a preheating option in the model.

Place the seasoned chicken leg quarters in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded to allow for even cooking and achieve extra crispy skin.

Air fry the chicken for approximately 25-30 minutes until it reaches doneness and achieves crispy skin.

Flip the chicken over halfway through the cooking process, and ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) using a meat thermometer.

Allow the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking. This helps in retaining the juices.

Expert Tips From the Chef

• Preheat your air fryer before placing the chicken quarters. Preheating helps cook the chicken evenly and achieve a crispy skin. You can find out more about how and why to preheat your air fryer in this blog post.

• Before marinating, dry the chicken leg quarters with paper towels to remove excess moisture and to help the skin crisp up.

• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Arrange the chicken leg quarters in a single layer.

• Cooking time can vary with different air fryer models. To make sure the chicken is cooked right, use a meat thermometer. The inside should be 165°F (75°C).

• Flip the chicken halfway through cooking to achieve even browning and crispiness on all sides.

• Let the chicken legs rest for a few minutes after cooking to help the juices redistribute, making the meat moist and tender.

• To prevent smoke and maintain efficiency, clean your air fryer regularly, especially after cooking fatty foods like chicken skin.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Air frying swiftly cooks the chicken using minimal oil, preserving the bird’s natural flavors and seasonings for a more delicious outcome.

• The air fryer works its magic by blowing hot air around the chicken legs, making sure they get cooked just right—crispy on the outside and juicy-tender on the inside.

• Air frying is quicker than oven roasting, making this air fryer fried chicken legs recipe perfect for a fast and convenient meal.

• Opting for Air Fried Chicken Leg Quarters is an excellent decision if you crave a flavorful meal without straining your budget. Leg quarters stand out as one of the most cost-effective meat cuts available.

• Air frying creates less mess compared to deep frying or pan frying. The air fryer basket is usually non-stick and dishwasher safe, simplifying the cleanup process.

What Goes Well with Crispy Air Fried Chicken Legs?

These deliciously crispy Air Fried Chicken Leg quarters pair well with a variety of tasty side dishes such as Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips, Crispy Air Fryer Breaded Cauliflower Bites, Mini Tater Tots in Air Fryer, Breaded Crispy Air Fryer Okra, Frozen French Fries in Air Fryer, Easy Air Fryer Eggplant Recipe, and Crispy Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts with Bacon.

Other serving options are rice, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, or a bowl of leafy salad.

Storage and Reheating

For storage, allow the chicken legs to cool to room temperature. Then, store them in an airtight container or tightly wrap them with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

For freezing, place the leftover chicken legs in a freezer-safe bag or container to prevent freezer burn. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.

To reheat, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken legs on a baking sheet and cover them with foil to prevent drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.

Recipe FAQs