Why you should make air fryer chicken legs
Using an is great because the hot air circulates around the meat to make it extra crunchy. Chicken Legs stay moist on the inside while the outside gets perfectly browned. You do not have to wait a long time for a large oven to heat up which saves energy. It is also easier to clean up afterwards since most baskets are dishwasher safe.
How to prepare air fryer chicken legs
Preparation: Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels to remove all moisture from the skin. Place them in a large bowl and toss with olive oil and the spices until every piece is evenly coated.
Preheating: Set your to 200 degrees Celsius and allow it to warm up for a few minutes. A preheated basket helps the skin start to crisp as soon as the meat touches the surface.
Frying: Arrange the chicken in the basket in a single layer without overlapping them. Cook for 15 minutes to allow the heat to render the fat and brown the top side.
Finishing: Turn the legs over using tongs and cook for another 10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 75 degrees Celsius. Let the meat rest for 5 minutes before serving to keep it juicy.
Tips and tricks for air fryer chicken legs
Make sure to pat the skin dry with a paper towel before adding any oil or spices. This helps the skin become much crispier during the cooking process. Do not overcrowd the basket so the air can flow freely around each piece of meat. If you have very large legs you might need to add a few extra minutes to the timer. You can check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure the Chicken Legs are cooked through to 75 degrees Celsius. Let the meat rest for a few minutes after cooking to keep the juices inside.
You can find more inspiration in
air fryer banana muffins,
air fryer hokkaido pumpkin or
air fryer chips.