Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Legs (So Easy And Crispy!)

Why you’ll love them

This recipe for air fryer BBQ chicken legs is fast becoming one of my favorite dinners to make midweek. They are equally as tasty as these air fryer grilled chicken thighs or this air fryer whole rotisserie chicken. But chicken legs (chicken drumsticks) are just so much more affordable!

If we cook a whole chicken in our house, there’s sometimes a squabble over who gets the legs. This way, everyone can enjoy perfectly seasoned chicken legs with the most irresistible crispy skin (as we all know, the air fryer rocks when it comes to crisping things up!).

Here’s a quick summary of what I think you’ll love:

• 5 minutes prep. The simple herb and spice seasoning takes just minutes to prepare and sprinkle all over the chicken.
• Minimal effort. You’ll need to allow up to 30 minutes for the legs to cook through properly, but this part is hands-off. No babysitting a grill!
• Juicy, tender, crispy chicken. With minimal effort. Need I say more?
• Versatile flavors: The mix of smoked paprika, garlic, onion and cumin brings a smoky BBQ flavor. However, this recipe is so easy to adapt according to what flavors you have in your pantry!
• Choice of two ways to serve. Serve with just the tasty seasoning on the outside, or brush over with BBQ sauce just before the end for a sticky, even-more-delicious finish. Your choice!

About the ingredients

Chicken legs: No rules here really, just grab chicken legs (you may prefer to call them chicken drumsticks!) from the store. You’ll want ones with the skin still on. Medium sized works best. If they are particularly large, that’s OK, you just might need to increase the cooking time a bit.

Olive oil: Around half a tablespoon for each 4 chicken legs. This is simply for brushing over the skin to help the flavors to stick and the skin to crisp. Of course, feel free to use any kind of oil.

Seasoning: My go-to seasonings for these incredible BBQ-style chicken legs include smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and mustard powder for smoky, sweet and savory depth of flavor. Salt and black pepper bring everything together.

If you like, try adding in some dried herbs such as thyme, basil, oregano, or mixed Italian herbs, a small pinch of fennel seeds, or chili flakes or cayenne pepper for a little heat.

How to make air fryer BBQ chicken legs

Firstly, you can preheat your air fryer for a few minutes to 390F/200C. Meanwhile, brush the chicken legs all over with olive oil.

Now sprinkle the mixture of spices and seasoning all over the drumsticks. You can use kitchen tongs, if you have them, to turn the meat until all sides are covered.

Now place the legs into the air fryer basket. I have a fairly small air fryer and I can fit 3 to 4 in.

Air fry for about 25 to 30 minutes, turning half way through cooking. The skin will be crisped and deeply golden, but of course not burnt.

Serving ideas

• Potatoes: Try homemade fries, air fryer sweet potato wedges, air fryer smashed potatoes, amazing Greek potatoes, or potato salad (Greek style).
• Rice: Try this quick and easy Greek rice.
• Salad: Try this lesser-known Greek salad – a simple shredded lettuce salad! Or how about this refreshing orange and fennel salad? Or check out all easy salads here.
• Bread: Try 2-minute olive oil toasts, Italian focaccia bread (great for a dinner party!), or just your favorite fresh bakery bread.
• Vegetables: How about Mediterranean vegetables (air fryer or oven), sauteed broccoli (cook straight from frozen), or this tasty penne pasta salad (packed with veggies!).

Or you can check out all easy side dish recipes here.