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Homemade crispy skin-on chicken

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

5 from 1 vote
Golden, crispy air fryer chicken legs with a sweet and smoky seasoning. Ultra-flavorful, super crispy skin, and juicy meat inside!
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CourseAir Fryer, Dinner
CuisineAmerican
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time18 minutes
Total Time23 minutes
Servings4 servings
Calories359kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 to 10 bone-in skin-on chicken legs/drumsticks (about 2 1/4 pounds)
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dry mustard powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley for serving

Instructions

  • With paper towels, pat the chicken legs dry and place them in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with the oil.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, mustard, and cayenne. Sprinkle over the chicken, then toss to evenly coat.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Arrange a single layer of the drumsticks in the basket.
  • Air fry the chicken legs for 10 minutes, then slide out the basket and flip the legs. Return to the air fryer and cook for an additional 8 minutes, until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165°F when a meat thermometer is inserted at the thickest part without touching the bone (I remove mine around 190°F and it is still very juicy. The extra time ensures the skin is nice and crisp). Transfer to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve hot, sprinkled with chopped cilantro or parsley as desired.

Notes

  • To Store: Refrigerate chicken in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
  • To Reheat: Gently rewarm leftovers on a baking sheet in the oven at 350°F or in the microwave.
  • To Freeze: Freeze chicken in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Nutrition

Calories: 359kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 135mg | Potassium: 330mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 680IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
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