Emily Carter
Chicken legs are a versatile and forgiving meat to cook in an air fryer, resulting in juicy meat with a crispy skin. The air fryer is perfect for quickly cooking the chicken legs without the need for grilling or broiling. The key to achieving the perfect crispiness is removing excess moisture from the chicken legs by patting them dry with paper towels before cooking. The cooking time varies depending on the size of the chicken legs and whether they are boneless, but generally, they are cooked within 15-30 minutes at 380°F-400°F. The ideal internal temperature for chicken legs is 165°F, which can be measured with an instant-read thermometer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Internal Temperature | 165°F-185°F |
| Oil | Olive oil, vegetable oil |
| Seasoning | Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, brown sugar, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, Cajun seasoning |
| Cooking Time | 18-24 minutes |
| Flip | Halfway through |
| Rest | 2-5 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken leg preparation
Chicken legs are a forgiving meat to cook in an air fryer. They are also cheap, easy to cook, and delicious.
Preparation
First, pat the chicken legs dry with a paper towel. This will remove excess moisture from the skin, helping the oil to stick better.
Next, coat the chicken legs in a little oil. You can use olive oil in an oil sprayer, or drizzle the oil over the chicken.
Then, season the chicken. You can use salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, or get creative with paprika, onion powder, oregano, Italian seasoning, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper. You can also use your favourite Cajun seasoning, or BBQ sauce.
Cooking
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F-400°F. Place the chicken legs in a single layer in the fryer, leaving space between each leg so the hot air can circulate and cook the chicken evenly.
Cook for 18-24 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F-185°F. Check this with an instant-read thermometer.
Serving
For extra juicy chicken, tent the drumsticks in aluminium foil for 5 minutes before serving.
You can also add sauce to your chicken legs. Douse them in sugar-free BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or marinade.
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Air fryer settings
To make chicken legs in an air fryer, you'll want to preheat your air fryer to somewhere between 380°F and 400°F. The higher temperature will give you crispier skin, but you may need to experiment with your particular air fryer to find your preferred setting.
Once preheated, add the chicken legs to the air fryer basket, leaving space between each leg so that hot air can circulate and cook the chicken evenly. If you're cooking more chicken legs than will fit in a single layer, cook them in batches. Place the chicken legs skin-side-down in the basket, or rounded-side-down if they're skinless.
Cook the chicken legs for 18 to 24 minutes, depending on their size, flipping them halfway through. For smaller chicken legs, it will be closer to 18 minutes, while larger legs will be closer to 24 minutes. If you want a really crispy skin, you can increase the temperature to 400°F for the final few minutes of cooking.
Check that the chicken is cooked by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the leg. It's important that the internal temperature is at least 165°F to ensure the chicken is safe to eat. Some sources suggest that the chicken can be cooked to as high as 185°F.
If you're reheating leftover chicken legs in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 5 to 8 minutes until heated through.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for chicken legs in an air fryer depend on the size of the chicken legs and the desired crispiness.
As a general rule, you should preheat your air fryer to 380°F-400°F. For smaller chicken legs, cook for 18 minutes, and for larger chicken legs, cook for 22-24 minutes. Flip the chicken legs halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and browning.
It is recommended to cook chicken legs to an internal temperature of at least 165°F to ensure they are fully cooked. You can use an instant-read thermometer or meat thermometer to check the internal temperature at the thickest point of the chicken leg.
If you want the chicken skin to be extra crispy, you can increase the temperature to 400°F for the final minutes of cooking. Additionally, if you are using bone-in chicken legs, increase the cooking time by 2-3 minutes.
Cooking times may vary depending on your specific air fryer model, so it is always a good idea to keep an eye on the chicken legs during the cooking process and adjust the time and temperature as needed.
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Internal temperature
The internal temperature of your chicken legs is the most important indicator of doneness. Chicken is considered safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This temperature can be checked using a meat thermometer or an instant-read thermometer. It's important to insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, being careful not to touch the bone, as this can give an inaccurate reading.
For chicken legs cooked in an air fryer, most recipes recommend cooking until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. However, some sources suggest that bone-in dark meat is best cooked to a slightly higher temperature, such as 175°F, to ensure that the meat is tender and juicy.
If you prefer your chicken legs to be well done, you can cook them until they reach an internal temperature of up to 185°F. This higher temperature will ensure that the chicken is fully cooked and any connective tissue has broken down, resulting in more tender meat.
It's worth noting that cooking times and temperatures can vary depending on the size of the chicken legs and the specific air fryer model being used. Therefore, it's always a good idea to refer to the manufacturer's instructions and adjust the cooking time accordingly. Checking the internal temperature regularly with a thermometer is the best way to ensure your chicken legs are cooked to your desired level of doneness.
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Serving and storing
When serving chicken legs cooked in an air fryer, it is recommended to let the chicken rest for at least 2 minutes before serving. For extra juicy chicken, you can tent the drumsticks in aluminium foil for 5 minutes before serving. Chicken legs cooked in an air fryer go well with a variety of side dishes, such as French fries, asparagus, sweet potatoes, tater tots, salad, acorn squash, and mac and cheese.
Leftover chicken legs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. To reheat, you can use a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 to 8 minutes, or gently rewarm the leftovers on a baking sheet in the oven at the same temperature. You can also reheat them in the microwave or in the air fryer until crispy.
Chicken legs can also be frozen for longer storage. To freeze, place the chicken legs in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container or a ziplock bag for up to 3 months. It is recommended to let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
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