Best 2 Air Fryer Fried Chicken Legs Recipes

Are you craving crispy, juicy fried chicken legs without the guilt of deep frying? Look no further than your air fryer! This revolutionary kitchen appliance allows you to enjoy your favorite fried foods with significantly less oil, making it a healthier alternative to traditional deep frying. Whether you prefer a classic Southern-style fried chicken or a spicy buffalo twist, our comprehensive guide will lead you through the best air fryer fried chicken leg recipes, ensuring a tender, flavorful, and crispy experience every time.

Let's cook with our recipes!

AIR FRYER FRIED CHICKEN

Air Fryer Fried Chicken image

Making fried chicken in an air fryer is a revelation. You can achieve a crispy crust and juicy interior without all the steps of deep-frying. A soak in seasoned buttermilk adds extra flavor-as little as 1 hour will make a difference, but overnight is even better. Because of the capacity of a standard air fryer, we cook the chicken in batches. You can rewarm the first batch in a 250-degree oven for 10 minutes if you'd like to serve it all hot at once.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories main-dish

Time 3h15m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

3 cups buttermilk
6 garlic cloves, crushed and peeled
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
6 chicken drumsticks (about 2 pounds)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Olive oil cooking spray

Steps:

Combine the buttermilk, garlic, 1 tablespoon salt and 2 teaspoons pepper in a large resealable plastic bag or container. Add the chicken pieces, seal and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to overnight, turning the bag once or twice.
When you are ready to cook the chicken, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a shallow bowl or dish. Stir well with a fork to combine. Drizzle 2 to 3 tablespoons of the buttermilk mixture from the bag over the flour and toss well to create small lumps throughout.
Remove the chicken from the marinade. Spray the basket of a 3.5-quart air fryer with olive oil cooking spray and preheat to 360 degrees F.
Dredge 3 thighs and 3 drumsticks in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess. Place the pieces in the preheated air-fryer basket, skin-side up without touching. Spray the chicken generously with the cooking spray and air fry until the chicken is cooked through and the crust is crisp and deep golden, about 27 minutes. Check on the chicken halfway through to spray any spots that still look floury with more cooking spray and flip the drumsticks only.
When the chicken is done, remove it from the air fryer and season lightly with salt. Repeat the dredging and air-frying process with the remaining chicken. if you like, rewarm the first batch in an oven at 250 degrees F for 10 minutes before serving.

AIR-FRYER CHICKEN LEGS

Air-Fryer Chicken Legs image

For years, I tried to find the perfect bottled barbecue sauce for chicken legs. After a few years, I threw in the towel and created my own using ketchup, honey and spicy brown mustard. It works perfectly with this air-fryer chicken legs recipe. -Kathleen Criddle, Lake Worth, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 40m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

2 cups ketchup
2/3 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons finely chopped sweet onion
2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
16 chicken drumsticks

Steps:

In a large saucepan, mix the first 8 ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to blend, stirring occasionally. Reserve 2 cups sauce for serving., Preheat air fryer to 375°. In batches, place chicken in a single layer on greased tray in air-fryer basket. Cook until a thermometer reads 170°-175°, 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally and brushing generously with remaining sauce during the last 5 minutes. Serve with reserved sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 422 calories, Fat 12g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 95mg cholesterol, Sodium 909mg sodium, Carbohydrate 49g carbohydrate (48g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 29g protein.

Tips:

Use a whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces, for the best results.
Make sure the chicken is dry before seasoning it. This will help the spices adhere to the chicken.
Season the chicken generously with your favorite spices. A good all-purpose seasoning blend includes salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit before cooking the chicken.
Cook the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. This will help the chicken cook evenly.
Cook the chicken for 12-15 minutes, or until it is cooked through. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help the juices redistribute throughout the chicken.

Conclusion:

Air fryer fried chicken legs are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional fried chicken. They are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and they are made with less oil. Air fryer fried chicken legs are a great option for a quick and easy weeknight meal. They can also be served as an appetizer or party food.