Crispy chicken legs done in the air fryer – a great way of keeping all the juices in the chicken whilst giving you that lovely crispy skin.
No mess, no fuss – these are the easiest crispy chicken legs ever and are usually gone within minutes of hitting the plates.
This is a brilliant, cost-effective way of feeding the family. One chicken leg has loads of meat and when I last looked (Sainsburys, Asda and Tesco) each chicken leg works out to be about 50p-60p.
They’re so tasty as they are – served up with chips or salad and a spoonful of coleslaw.
Alternatively, you can use the cooked chicken to make lots of recipes – such as chicken fried rice, easy chicken ramen, Tuscan chicken soup or chicken ala king.
📋 What do we need?
- Chicken legs (sometimes called chicken quarters). You can replace with 4 bone-on thighs and 4 drumsticks, or a combination of these if you prefer.
- Baking Powder (not baking soda/bicarb of soda)
- Salt and pepper
📺 Watch how to make crispy chicken wings AND thighs in the air fryer
Full recipe with detailed steps in the recipe card at the end of this post.
👩🍳PRO TIP Make sure you get the chicken pieces dry with kitchen paper – this will help with getting the skin extra crispy.
🍽️ Like your chicken saucy?
My favourite steak sauces all work well with these chicken legs!
Perfectly crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside!
🍲 Serving Suggestions
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Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 4 chicken legs*
- 2 tsp aluminium-free baking powder**
- ½ tsp table salt
- ½ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Dry the chicken legs with paper towels, then place them in a large bowl.4 chicken legs*
- Sprinkle on the baking powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine.2 tsp aluminium-free baking powder**, ½ tsp table salt, ½ tsp pepper
- Arrange this chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 35-40 minutes at 210C/410F, shaking the basket every 10 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 75C/165F (you can also pierce the thickest part of the chicken. If the juices run clear and not pink, it's cooked).
- Serve with your favourite side dish.
Video
Notes
Alternatively you can replace with 4 bone-on thighs and 4 drumsticks, or a combination of these – so you have 8 bone-in skin on pieces. **Baking Powder I state in the recipe to use aluminium-free baking powder. Baking powder that contains aluminium (sodium aluminium sulfate or E521) can cause a metallic taste to certain people who are sensitive to it.
- Also be sure to use baking powder AND NOT baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Nice and crispy! Mine took 35 mins for 2 legs. Served with sweet chilli sauce and french fries. Unreal.