Air Fryer Chicken Legs are a fantastic option for those who want a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken. Not only do they offer a crispy exterior, but they also retain the juicy goodness within.
While the air fryer basket is preheating, combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Use your hands or a large spoon to toss the drumsticks until they are evenly coated in the spices.
Once the air fryer has preheated, add as many drumsticks as will fit in the basket without overcrowding it (about 4).
Cook the drumsticks for 18 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Serve and enjoy!
Notes
While you are able to cook these drumsticks at other time/ temperature intervals, I found that this combination gave the chicken legs a nice crunchy exterior while preventing the meat from losing too much moisture as it cooked.
Other rubs that go good on these drumsticks include a good lemon pepper seasoning, red pepper flakes, or thyme and parsley.
You can store these wings in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. It is easiest to reheat your wings in the microwave; however, they will not be crunchy like they are fresh from the air fryer. That being said, the flavor is maintained wonderfully in the leftovers.
We like to shred our leftover chicken and use it on tacos or in chicken salad.
It is important to preheat your air fryer to ensure your legs cook in the specified amount of time. This also helps them get that perfect crispy exterior.
I did not find it necessary to flip the drumsticks during the cooking process. The air fryer does a good job of cooking them evenly using the air circulation.