Description
This Air Fryer Chicken Legs recipe delivers perfectly crispy, juicy chicken legs seasoned with a flavorful blend of spices and a hint of sweetness from brown sugar. With a quick preparation and cooking time under 35 minutes, this recipe is ideal for a delicious and easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 6 chicken legs
Spice Mix
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1.5 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp ground mustard
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
Other
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (or substitute with olive or avocado oil)
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken legs dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This helps achieve crispy skin when air frying.
- Make the Spice Mix: In a large zip-top bag, combine brown sugar, kosher salt, ground black pepper, ground mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and optional cayenne pepper. Seal and shake the bag to evenly mix all the spices.
- Season the Chicken: Add the chicken legs into the spice mix bag along with the vegetable oil. Seal the bag and shake well to ensure the seasoning and oil coat each piece evenly.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for approximately 5 minutes to prepare it for cooking the chicken legs evenly.
- Cook the Chicken: Arrange the seasoned chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 380°F (190°C) for 18-22 minutes, flipping the chicken legs halfway through the cooking time. Cook until the internal temperature reaches between 165°F and 185°F to ensure they are safe to eat and juicy inside.
- Serve: Remove the chicken legs from the air fryer and serve hot. Pair with your favorite sides and dipping sauces for a complete meal.
Notes
- Make sure to pat the chicken legs dry for extra crispy skin.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on your preferred spice level.
- Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the chicken legs and your air fryer model.
- Flip the chicken legs halfway to ensure even cooking and browning.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer for food safety.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
