These Air Fryer Chicken Legs are crispy, juicy and amazingly tender! Add your favorite low carb side and you’ll have a healthy and super flavorful lunch or weeknight dinner on the table in under 30 minutes!

*This post is sponsored by Ultenic, makers of the air fryer used for this recipe. I only share products that I personally use and love.

❤️ Why You’ll Love this Air Fryer Chicken Legs Recipe

• Prepared in less than 30 minutes
• Made in air fryer without having to use the oven
• Super tasty with blend of several spices
• Kids love them

Chicken drumsticks are one of those dinner ideas that the entire family enjoys, and they will especially love this recipe! Seasoned with the most irresistible blend of seasonings, these drumsticks are then air fried until the skin is a beautiful and golden-brown and the meat is juicy and practically falling-off-the-bone tender.

Another thing you’ll love, is they cook up super easy right in your air fryer! Quick, easy and delicious…the perfect, winning combination.

If chicken is a standard go-to in your meal planning, I hope you’ll try this recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Legs. You’ll absolutely love how just a few simple ingredients transforms ordinary chicken into a super tasty meal with the most incredible flavor!

Serve them with side dish of Cauliflower “Potato Salad” or these Shredded Brussels Sprouts for a complete hearty, low carb meal.

What You’ll Need to Make Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks 

• Chicken drumsticks
• Smoked paprika
• Chili powder
• Garlic salt
• Onion powder
• Dried oregano
• Olive oil

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

How to Make Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer

Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes, while you prepare the chicken.

Add all the spices in a small mixing bowl.

Whisk until combined and set aside.

Dry all sides of your chicken and add to a large mixing bowl.  Pour the olive oil over the top and toss to coat.

Pour the spice mix over the top.

Rub the spices all over the chicken until all sides are well coated.

Place them on the rack of your air fryer.

Cook for 10 minutes.

Flip the chicken over and continue air frying for 13-15 minutes or until the internal temperature is at least 165°F when checked with a meat thermometer.

How Long Do Drumsticks Take in Air Fryer?

Just like any other cut of chicken, it all depends on the size of the drumsticks. For your average sized legs, they will take anywhere between 20-28 minutes.

When you flip them after first 10 minutes, you can begin to gauge how long much longer they’ll take from there. After they’ve cooked for a full 20 minutes, start checking them for doneness.

To ensure they’re fully cooked, it is always recommended they cook until they reach at least 165°F on a meat thermometer.

If you’re short on time and prefer chicken breast instead, try this Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast. It cooks in just 18 minutes and turns out perfectly tender and juicy!

Can I Put Raw Chicken in an Air Fryer?

Absolutely. Even though a lot of people use it too cook French fries and frozen chicken nuggets, the air fryer is a real kitchen appliance that is used to fully cook meat from a raw state.

Not only is it capable, but air fryer foods are also tender and juicy. Plus, air-frying also saves a lot of time, mess and money than traditional fried foods.

Are Drumsticks Good for Keto? How Many Carbs are in a Chicken Drumstick?

It’s great for keto! Chicken is a great source of protein and is a zero-carb food. The way you prepare chicken can make a difference in whether it’s low carb. So, make sure you are using all keto-approved ingredients when making any chicken recipe.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

• Always preheat: In order for chicken to cook evenly and in the suggested time, you should always start cooking it in a preheated air fryer.

• Avoid overcrowding: Make sure you are leaving enough space around the chicken that allows air to circulate around it. This may mean you have to cook in smaller batches, but the chicken will cook even and all the way through much better.

• Aerosol sprays are a no-no: Avoid nonstick cooking spray because there are ingredients in the that will ruin the nonstick finish in your basket. You can buy a spray bottle and add your own oil to it, if you prefer.

• Pat your chicken dry: Use a paper towel to really dry off any excess moisture on your chicken. This allows the olive or avocado oil you rub over it to adhere, which helps give you a nice golden brown skin or crust.

• Check the temp: I can’t stress this enough. When it comes to chicken, you just really don’t want to play the guessing game. An instant read thermometer is a very small investment and it ensures chicken is cooked and safe to eat.

What is the Best Air Fryer to Use?

For this recipe, I used the Smart K10 Air Fryer by Ultenic, which was sent to me to test. I was extremely impressed with its many features and performance:

• Incredibly easy to use, with 11 preset buttons for fish, steak, chicken, shrimp, etc.
• Smartphone app to control the air fryer
• Fully adjustable time and temperature buttons
• Preheat and keep warm function buttons
• Large capacity basket
• Very quiet while running

You can check out the Smart K10 Air Fryer here and use code: KETOAIRFRYER for an extra $20 OFF!

More Keto Air Fryer Recipes

• Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
• Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders
• Jalapeño Poppers
• Pork Tenderloin
• Zucchini Fries
• Buffalo Wings