How long to cook bone-in chicken legs in an air fryer?

Bone-in chicken legs generally take around 18-22 minutes at 380°F to cook perfectly in the air fryer. Cooking time can vary slightly based on size, but this range ensures your Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Legs come out juicy with crispy skin.

Air fryer chicken legs and thighs: Can they be cooked together?

Absolutely! Chicken legs and thighs can be cooked simultaneously in the air fryer. Since they have similar cooking times and temperatures, they make a great combo for your Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Legs meal. Just ensure there’s enough space for proper air circulation.

How long to cook chicken legs in an air fryer at 200°C or 400°F?

At 200°C (about 392°F) or 400°F, cook your Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Legs for roughly 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through to achieve an even crisp. Keep an eye on cooking as higher temperatures can brown the skin faster.

Air fryer chicken legs with flour: is it necessary?

Adding flour is optional. Some recipes use a light flour coating to enhance crispiness, but the spice blend and air fryer technique in this recipe create beautifully crispy skin without flour on your Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Legs .

How long to cook leg quarters in an air fryer?

Leg quarters typically require longer cooking times of 25-30 minutes at 350°F to cook thoroughly. Adjust timing carefully when cooking larger cuts for the Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Legs to maintain tenderness without drying out.

Air fryer chicken drumsticks Celsius: what’s the time and temp?

When cooking chicken drumsticks in an air fryer using Celsius, set the temperature to 200°C and cook for 18-22 minutes, similar to the method for the Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Legs . Flip halfway for even cooking and crispiness.

Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Legs Homemade Recipe

Description

Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside – these Best Damn Air Fryer Chicken Legs are your new go-to for fast, flavorful meals. Perfectly seasoned with a bold spice blend featuring brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a kick of cayenne, these chicken legs are cooked to golden perfection in just 20 minutes. Whether you’re feeding the family on a busy weeknight or hosting guests, this foolproof air fryer recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. No breading, no deep frying – just irresistibly crispy skin and tender, fall-off-the-bone meat every time.

Ingredients

Scale

6 chicken legs

3 tbs 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

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

1 tbs vegetable oil

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Instructions

Let Chicken Sit: Remove chicken from the fridge and bring to room temperature for 15 minutes.
Dry Thoroughly: Pat chicken legs dry with paper towels — this ensures crisp skin.
Mix Spice Blend: Combine brown sugar, salt, pepper, mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne in a zip-top bag. Shake to blend.
Oil Chicken: Drizzle chicken legs with vegetable oil to help spices adhere.
Season Chicken: Add chicken to the spice bag. Seal and shake until evenly coated.
Preheat Air Fryer: Set air fryer to 380°F and preheat for 5 minutes.
Arrange Chicken: Place chicken legs in a single layer in the basket, not touching.
Cook: Air fry at 380°F for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Check Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temp of 165°F–185°F.
Optional Crisping: Add 2–3 minutes more if you want extra crispy skin.
Rest & Serve: Let chicken rest for 3–5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pros

Incredibly crispy skin and juicy interior
Fast cook time — ready in under 40 minutes
Requires only pantry staples
Versatile with various side dish options
Perfect for both weeknight meals and entertaining
Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing
This foolproof technique for even cooking every time
Great for meal prepping or leftovers
Works well with different air fryer brands
Minimal cleanup compared to traditional frying

Cons

Requires flipping halfway through cooking
Not ideal for very large or unevenly sized chicken pieces
Cannot overcrowd air fryer basket — may need to cook in batches
Crispiness may vary slightly by air fryer model
Needs a meat thermometer for the best accuracy

Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT20M
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: Approximately 290 kcal per leg (estimated)