Air Fryer Chicken Legs Recipe - Easy, Keto Crispy Chicken Drumsticks! (2024)

FAQs

Can you put raw drumsticks in an air fryer? ›

Drumsticks take 18 to 20 minutes in the air fryer at 400 degrees F. Turn once halfway through. The chicken legs can be ready in the time it takes you to throw together a quick Arugula Salad or side of Sautéed Brussels Sprouts. Simple prep time and cooking time!

If the baked chicken legs are not as crispy as you like by the time they reach the right internal temperature, place them under the broiler for a couple of minutes to crisp up the skin more. (Watch closely so that they don't burn!) Don't forget to rest.

I like to bake them at 425 degrees. The high temperature really helps to crisp the skin. Bake them uncovered on the baking sheet – you don't have to turn them, just leave them to cook and after about 40 to 45 minutes they'll be ready!

To reheat chicken in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Place the chicken in the basket and cook for 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Air fry at 400° for 20-30 minutes (or until you reach your desired crispiness), flipping halfway through. An instant read thermometer will register at least 165°F when they're done.

While I do recommend very lightly spraying the fried chicken with oil before and during air frying, you don't submerge the pieces entirely in oil, and as a result, they undoubtedly absorb less oil in the process.

Double Dredge

The best way to ensure the breading will stay on the chicken is to double down on the flour. This creates a super thick, extra crispy coating on your chicken. After dredging the chicken in seasoned flour, dip it into an egg wash and place it back into the flour.

When paired with all-purpose flour, cornstarch helps prevent gluten development, which makes the flour coating crispier, and absorb moisture (from the frying and the chicken), which also means a crispier coating. If you already have a favorite fried chicken recipe, try replacing a quarter of the flour with cornstarch.

We have found that baking chicken drumsticks at 400°F gives the best results for juicy, moist dark meat with crispy skin. You'll know they are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F when tested with a digital meat thermometer in the thickest part of the drumstick without touching the bone.

Poke the Meat

This method applies to chicken specifically. For properly cooked chicken, if you cut into it and the juices run clear, then the chicken is fully cooked. If the juices are red or have a pinkish color, your chicken may need to be cooked a bit longer.

How do you know when drumsticks are done? ›

Chicken wings and chicken drumsticks

If you can't get an accurate reading, you can tell if chicken drumsticks and drumettes are finished cooking by looking at the meat on the skinny side of the leg. The meat should shrink up, and you should be able to see a lot more bone than you could when you started cooking.

For juicy, flavorful chicken with golden skin, it is best to bake chicken drumsticks at 400°F. At this high temperature, the chicken will be done in about 30 minutes.

Dry the outside of the food properly before you add oil. Do not use too much oil, as this will make the food less crispy and more fattening. Meat or poultry can be lightly brushed with oil or marinated to get the crispiest results.

Lay three or four chicken skins in a single layer, skin-side down, on the air fryer basket and program the air fryer to cook at 400°F for a total of 12 minutes. At the halfway point (i.e. 6 minutes), flip the chicken skins over so they are skin-side up. Air fry the chicken skins the remaining 6 minutes or until crispy.

It is safe to cook raw meat in the air fryer if it is fully defrosted, seasoned, and monitored. Some fully cooked foods, including chicken tenders or fries, can be placed frozen in the air fryer. However, with raw meat, it's recommended to thoroughly defrost to allow more even cooking and a tasty final product.

Air fry the chicken at 415 degrees for 10 minutes. If you have larger pieces of chicken, you'll want to go closer to 13 minutes. You're looking for an internal temperature of 165 degrees. You're done!

Bake the chicken pieces until their internal temperature reaches 165°F. For medium drumsticks, this should take about 40 minutes. Serve immediately. You can sprinkle the drumsticks with chopped parsley for garnish.

In general, yes, you can wrap chicken in foil and cook it in an air fryer. Using foil will keep the chicken moist, prevent it from drying out, and lead to a moist and tender dish, as the foil helps to retain the meat's natural juices.