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
Stay updated with new recipes!
Subscribe to the newsletter to hear when I post a new recipe. I’m also on YouTube (new videos every week) and Instagram (behind-the-scenes stories & beautiful food photos).
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.
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our Terms & Conditions.
These cooked for me in 25-30 minutes. Always start with less time, you can always add more time.
First time chuffed with results, as it is a cheap fryer,
This my 3rd time making these crispy chicken legs my grands loves them they the one why I am making them today☺️they are really good thank for sharing this recipe ❤️
great recipe chicken was fantastic first time trying air fryer out chicken cooked to perfection
I have a picky eater and he gave these chicken legs the thumbs up. I have used an air fryer before but this is the first one I’ve owned. Thought I would do the dish I dislike frying the most. (Any bone-in chicken). These were done in half the time it takes to pan fry chicken and was very tasty.
Love that chicken recipe will be trying it tomorrow thank you.
I made this. Wow. Absolutely fantastic. So crispy. I’m telling everyone. Thanks.
The family really loved the chicken leg recipe and I thank-You for that. A definite do again, and again, and again!
Baking powder! Wow, makes chicken skin so crunchie.
My husbands favorite way to have chicken legs, I made them twice like this since he saw the post👏