Air Fryer Chicken Legs

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Perfectly crispy, deliciously juicy, and wonderfully savory, these air fryer chicken legs cook up fast and easy. Best of all, you use a fraction of the oil you'd need for a deep fryer!

Prep: 10

Cook: 20

Total: 30

Recipe makes approximately 6 drumsticks

Equipment Needed

Air Fryer
large plate (or cutting board)
Paper towels
Small mixing bowl
whisk
Basting brush (optional)
Tongs
Internal meat thermometer
Wire cooling rack

Ingredients Needed

6 large bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks (approximately 4-6 ounces each)
2 tablespoons neutral-tasting oil (avocado oil, olive oil, etc.)
1 teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (more or less to taste)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder

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Instructions

Preheat air fryer to 400° Fahrenheit.
Place 6 large bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks on large plate or cutting board. Pat all sides of each drumstick completely dry with paper towels.
Add 2 tablespoons neutral-tasting oil, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon onion powder to small mixing bowl. Whisk ingredients together until well incorporated.
Drizzle oil mixture evenly over drumsticks, then rub oil mixture into skin of drumsticks, covering all sides of each drumstick thoroughly. Alternately, brush oil mixture onto all sides of each drumstick evenly.
Remove basket from preheated air fryer. Place drumsticks in basket in single, flat layer, making sure drumsticks do not touch or overlap. Work in batches as needed to avoid overcrowding basket.
Return basket to air fryer. Air fry drumsticks 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, remove basket from air fryer. Flip each drumstick over, again making sure drumsticks do not touch or overlap.
Return basket to air fryer. Air fry drumsticks 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes, remove basket from air fryer. Insert internal meat thermometer into thickest area of drumsticks, as close to bone as possible. If temperature on thermometer does not register at least 170° Fahrenheit, return basket to air fryer and continue air frying drumsticks as needed, checking internal temperature every 1 to 2 minutes.
Once temperature on thermometer registers 170° Fahrenheit or higher, transfer drumsticks to wire cooling rack. Set drumsticks aside to rest. Repeat process with any remaining uncooked drumsticks.
When all drumsticks have been cooked and have rested, divide drumsticks into preferred portions and serve warm.

Recipe Notes

Seasoning: Feel free to use your favorite spice blend, dry rub, marinade, sauce, brine, etc.
Cook Times: Actual cook times will vary depending on a number of factors, including make & model and size & age of your air fryer; number, size, and thickness of the chicken drumsticks; starting temperature of your drumsticks; etc. Cook time after flipping drumsticks could be anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes.
Internal Temperature: With dark meat chicken, the meat is juicier and more tender around when eaten around 175° Fahrenheit internally. Remove the drumsticks from the air fryer between 170°-172° Fahrenheit and let their residual heat bring them up to the 175° target. This will help them not overcook.

Nutrition Info (Approximate)