13 Crispy Chicken Leg Air Fryer Recipes to Satisfy Your Cravings
Crispy chicken legs satisfy cravings fast. Air fryers make them easy and tasty. This post shares 13 recipes. Each recipe uses simple ingredients. Instructions stay clear and direct.
You get crunchy, juicy chicken every time. Readers enjoy flavorful options. Cooking becomes fun and quick. Explore these recipes now. Your air fryer turns chicken legs into delicious meals.

Classic Crispy Chicken Legs

About:
Classic crispy chicken legs bring comfort to your plate. This recipe uses basic spices. The air fryer creates a golden crust. Juicy meat stays inside. You taste salt, pepper, and paprika in every bite. It suits weeknight dinners. Kids and adults love it. Prep takes minutes. Cooking finishes fast. Enjoy a simple, satisfying meal.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken legs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Pat chicken legs dry with paper towels.
- Rub olive oil over chicken legs.
- Sprinkle salt, pepper, and paprika evenly on all sides.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place chicken legs in air fryer basket.
- Cook for 25 minutes.
- Flip chicken legs halfway through cooking.
- Check internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken legs from air fryer.
- Let them rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve hot.
Spicy Buffalo Chicken Legs

About:
Spicy buffalo chicken legs pack bold flavor. Hot sauce adds a kick. The air fryer keeps them crispy. You taste tangy heat with every bite. This recipe fits game nights. Friends enjoy the spice. Prep stays quick. Cleanup takes no time. Dip them in ranch for extra fun.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken legs
- 2 tbsp hot sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions:
- Pat chicken legs dry with paper towels.
- Mix hot sauce, garlic powder, melted butter, and salt in a bowl.
- Coat chicken legs with mixture.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place chicken legs in air fryer basket.
- Cook for 25 minutes.
- Flip chicken legs after 12 minutes.
- Ensure internal temperature hits 165°F.
- Remove chicken legs from air fryer.
- Rest them for 5 minutes.
- Serve with ranch dip.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Legs
About:
Garlic parmesan chicken legs offer rich taste. Cheese and garlic blend perfectly. The air fryer locks in crispiness. You enjoy savory bites. This recipe works for family meals. Everyone loves the flavor. Prep happens fast. Cooking finishes in under 30 minutes. Try it tonight.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken legs
- 2 tbsp grated parmesan
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions:
- Pat chicken legs dry with paper towels.
- Rub olive oil on chicken legs.
- Mix parmesan, garlic powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Sprinkle mixture over chicken legs.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place chicken legs in air fryer basket.
- Cook for 25 minutes.
- Flip chicken legs halfway through.
- Verify internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken legs from air fryer.
- Let them sit for 5 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Honey BBQ Chicken Legs
About:
Honey BBQ chicken legs mix sweet and smoky. The air fryer crisps the skin. You taste honey with tangy BBQ sauce. This recipe suits picnics. Friends ask for seconds. Prep stays simple. Cooking takes little effort. Enjoy sticky, delicious legs fresh from the fryer.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken legs
- 2 tbsp BBQ sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions:
- Pat chicken legs dry with paper towels.
- Mix BBQ sauce, honey, smoked paprika, and salt in a bowl.
- Brush mixture over chicken legs.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place chicken legs in air fryer basket.
- Cook for 25 minutes.
- Flip chicken legs after 12 minutes.
- Check temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken legs from air fryer.
- Rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve hot.
Lemon Herb Chicken Legs
About:
Lemon herb chicken legs taste fresh and light. The air fryer keeps them crispy. You enjoy zesty lemon and herbs. This recipe fits summer dinners. Guests love the brightness. Prep takes no time. Cooking finishes fast. Serve these for a quick, tasty meal.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken legs
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Pat chicken legs dry with paper towels.
- Rub olive oil on chicken legs.
- Drizzle lemon juice over them.
- Sprinkle oregano and salt evenly.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place chicken legs in air fryer basket.
- Cook for 25 minutes.
- Flip chicken legs halfway through.
- Ensure temperature hits 165°F.
- Remove chicken legs from air fryer.
- Rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve fresh.
Cajun Spice Chicken Legs
About:
Cajun spice chicken legs bring bold heat. The air fryer crisps them up. You taste smoky, spicy flavors. This recipe excites dinner tables. Spice lovers cheer. Prep stays easy. Cooking happens quick. Enjoy a Southern twist tonight.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken legs
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Pat chicken legs dry with paper towels.
- Rub olive oil over chicken legs.
- Sprinkle Cajun seasoning and salt evenly.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place chicken legs in air fryer basket.
- Cook for 25 minutes.
- Flip chicken legs after 12 minutes.
- Check internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken legs from air fryer.
- Let them rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve hot.
Teriyaki Chicken Legs
About:
Teriyaki chicken legs deliver sweet and savory. The air fryer makes them crispy. You taste soy sauce and sugar. This recipe fits Asian-inspired meals. Family enjoys the glaze. Prep takes minutes. Cooking stays simple. Dig into sticky goodness now.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken legs
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Pat chicken legs dry with paper towels.
- Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic powder in a bowl.
- Rub olive oil on chicken legs.
- Brush soy mixture over them.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place chicken legs in air fryer basket.
- Cook for 25 minutes.
- Flip chicken legs halfway through.
- Verify temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken legs from air fryer.
- Rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Smoky Chipotle Chicken Legs
About:
Smoky chipotle chicken legs offer deep flavor. The air fryer crisps the skin. You taste chipotle heat and smoke. This recipe suits bold eaters. Friends love the kick. Prep happens fast. Cooking takes little time. Enjoy a fiery treat tonight.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken legs
- 1 tsp chipotle powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Pat chicken legs dry with paper towels.
- Rub olive oil on chicken legs.
- Mix chipotle powder, smoked paprika, and salt in a bowl.
- Sprinkle mixture over chicken legs.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place chicken legs in air fryer basket.
- Cook for 25 minutes.
- Flip chicken legs after 12 minutes.
- Ensure temperature hits 165°F.
- Remove chicken legs from air fryer.
- Rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve hot.
Rosemary Garlic Chicken Legs
About:
Rosemary garlic chicken legs smell amazing. The air fryer keeps them crispy. You taste earthy herbs and garlic. This recipe fits cozy dinners. Guests enjoy the aroma. Prep stays quick. Cooking finishes fast. Serve these for a warm meal.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken legs
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Pat chicken legs dry with paper towels.
- Rub olive oil over chicken legs.
- Sprinkle rosemary, garlic powder, and salt evenly.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place chicken legs in air fryer basket.
- Cook for 25 minutes.
- Flip chicken legs halfway through.
- Check temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken legs from air fryer.
- Let them sit for 5 minutes.
- Serve fresh.
Piri Piri Chicken Legs
About:
Piri piri chicken legs bring fiery zest. The air fryer crisps them perfectly. You taste spicy peppers and citrus. This recipe excites spice fans. Dinner feels lively. Prep takes little time. Cooking stays easy. Enjoy a bold dish tonight.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken legs
- 1 tbsp piri piri sauce
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Pat chicken legs dry with paper towels.
- Mix piri piri sauce, lemon juice, and salt in a bowl.
- Rub olive oil on chicken legs.
- Brush sauce mixture over them.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place chicken legs in air fryer basket.
- Cook for 25 minutes.
- Flip chicken legs after 12 minutes.
- Verify temperature hits 165°F.
- Remove chicken legs from air fryer.
- Rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve hot.
Italian Seasoned Chicken Legs
About:
Italian seasoned chicken legs taste like pizza night. The air fryer makes them crispy. You enjoy herbs and salt. This recipe suits casual dinners. Kids love the flavor. Prep happens fast. Cooking takes no effort. Serve these for a fun meal.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken legs
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Pat chicken legs dry with paper towels.
- Rub olive oil on chicken legs.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning and salt evenly.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place chicken legs in air fryer basket.
- Cook for 25 minutes.
- Flip chicken legs halfway through.
- Check temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken legs from air fryer.
- Let them rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Maple Glazed Chicken Legs
About:
Maple glazed chicken legs blend sweet and savory. The air fryer crisps the skin. You taste maple syrup goodness. This recipe fits fall dinners. Family loves the sticky glaze. Prep stays simple. Cooking finishes quick. Enjoy a cozy treat now.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken legs
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Pat chicken legs dry with paper towels.
- Rub olive oil over chicken legs.
- Mix maple syrup, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Brush mixture on chicken legs.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place chicken legs in air fryer basket.
- Cook for 25 minutes.
- Flip chicken legs after 12 minutes.
- Ensure temperature hits 165°F.
- Remove chicken legs from air fryer.
- Rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve hot.
Chili Lime Chicken Legs
About:
Chili lime chicken legs burst with zing. The air fryer keeps them crispy. You taste spicy chili and lime. This recipe suits warm evenings. Friends enjoy the tang. Prep takes minutes. Cooking stays fast. Dig into fresh flavor tonight.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken legs
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
- Pat chicken legs dry with paper towels.
- Rub olive oil on chicken legs.
- Drizzle lime juice over them.
- Sprinkle chili powder and salt evenly.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Place chicken legs in air fryer basket.
- Cook for 25 minutes.
- Flip chicken legs halfway through.
- Check temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken legs from air fryer.
- Let them sit for 5 minutes.
- Serve fresh.

Hi, I’m Liza Jensen, your culinary companion here at Recipe by Liza. 🍳🥗Cooking has always been my passion—I find joy in every whisk, every sizzle, and every aromatic spice. As a home cook and recipe developer, I’ve explored flavors from around the world, creating dishes that warm hearts and tantalize taste buds.Join me on this flavorful journey! Let’s swap kitchen stories, share tips, and celebrate the magic of food together.