Sweet and Spicy Air Fryer Chicken Legs are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, use simple ingredients and come together in under 30 minutes!
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, if you purchase through those links, I earn a small commission. Thank you! Read our disclosure policy here.
The air fryer cooks the chicken legs quickly, giving it crispy skin and tender, juicy meat. air fryer chicken legs are an easy and delicious recipe, perfect for busy weeknights.
Crispy, juicy air fryer chicken legs in under 30 minutes! This easy recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal or party snack.
Why This Recipe Works
It's quick and easy to make, and uses less oil than then my Crispy Fried Chicken legs. They're also kid-friendly and affordable and perfect for weeknight dinners the whole family will love served with your favorite sides like Southern Potato Salad, Parmesan Baked Potato Wedges!
This easy recipe is perfect for a weeknight like these Air Fryer Italian Sausage and Peppers. You may also enjoy these Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Thighs.
Ingredients needed
- Chicken: You can also use small chicken thighs or chicken wings.
- Olive oil: Helps the seasoning blend to stick.
- Paprika: I like to use smoked paprika but regular will also work.
- Onion powder: Provides a subtle onion flavor.
- Garlic powder: Adds mild garlic flavor.
- Brown sugar: Either light or dark is fine.
- Cayenne pepper: Can adjust for taste or leave it out all together.
- Italian seasoning:
- Parsley: Totally optional.
How to make sweet and spicy chicken legs
- Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian
- seasoning, cayenne, salt, and black pepper
- Step 2: Place the chicken legs in a large bowl or large ziplock bag and toss with the seasoning mixture and place in the refrigerator to marinate.
- Step 3: Place chicken drumsticks in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Step 4: Air fry the chicken pieces until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Recipe Tips
- Don't overcrowd the basket.
- Let the drumsticks come to room temperature for 15 minutes to cook more evenly.
- All air fryers are slightly different and the cooking time may change, always use a digital meat thermometer to ensure the chicken legs reach 165 degrees.
Recipe Faq's
Sure you can use skin-on chicken thighs, you may have to add a little extra cook time depending on how large the cuts of chicken are.
Yes, place the marinated chicken legs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Place in a preheated 425-degree oven and bake for 35 minutes, flip the chicken legs and cook for another 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Sauces with air-fried chicken legs include BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Make sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for all my latest recipes!
Sweet and Spicy Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 chicken drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, cayenne, salt, and black pepper to create the seasoning blend.
- Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and place them in a large bowl. Coat the chicken evenly with the seasoning blend.
- Let the chicken marinate in the fridge for about 30 minutes up to overnight.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F. Spray the basket with cooking spray or brush it with oil.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, and air fry for 20-25 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer and continue cooking if needed until your juicy chicken legs reach 165°F.
- Allow the drumsticks to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve with a dipping sauce if desired.
Yay Jill so happy you loved it 🙂
These were so easy to make and my family loved them. I marinated them the night before so they were all ready to throw in the air fryer when I got home from work.