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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 has to be my favourite way of cooking chicken legs. Thank you for sharing”
Nicky’s Notes
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.
Table of Contents
📋 What do we need?
***Full recipe with detailed quantities in the recipe card below***
- 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
Note on the 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.
🧑🍳 Abbreviated Recipe
***Full recipe with detailed steps in the recipe card below***
Pat the chicken legs dry, then toss with baking powder, salt and pepper. Air fry at 210C/410F for 35–40 minutes, shaking every 10 minutes, until the skin is crisp and the chicken is cooked through. Serve with your favourite sides.
Pro Tips
- Make sure you get the chicken pieces dry with kitchen paper – this will help with getting the skin extra crispy.
Perfectly crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside!
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Pin It🍽️ Like your chicken saucy?
My favourite steak sauces all work well with these chicken legs!
Make ahead and Leftovers Guide
- I prefer them fresh out of the air fryer, but you can make the chicken legs ahead.
- Cook, then cool, cover and refrigerate for up to a day.
- Reheat them in the air fryer for about 8-10 minutes at 200C/400F until they’re crisp again and piping hot throughout.
📺 Watch how to make it
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.
This air fryer crispy chicken leg recipe was first posted in Nov 2022. Updated since with recipe improvements and for housekeeping reasons.
🍽️ What to serve it with
I like to keep the sides nice and simple here, the crispy chicken is definitely the star.
- Homemade air fryer chips for an easy family dinner
- Creamy coleslaw or Corn Esquites for a cool, crunchy side
- Simple green salad if you fancy something lighter
- Crispy smashed potatoes when you’re fully embracing the comfort food!
More Air fryer Recipes
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Thank you. That chicken , I used legs only, was so good I wanted to cry.
I added a teaspoon of chicken salt and a teaspoon of curry powder they are in the fryer now. Exciting eh.
Another great recipe, Nicky – Thank you !
This has to be my favourite way of cooking chicken legs. Thank you for sharing
Although the recipe looks good and I probably will try it you’re using the wrong terminology. They’re not chicken legs. Even though later you do state that it has the thigh also. The correct terminology would be chicken leg quarters.
This turned out really well, the chicken legs from Aldi were lovely, moist & crispy. Took about 35 mins to turn the skin crispy. Will definitely do this again but maybe with thighs as probably more meat? Maybe next time add some other KFC type seasoning 🤷
Nice and crispy! Mine took 35 mins for 2 legs. Served with sweet chilli sauce and french fries. Unreal.