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These easy air fryer chicken legs turn out juicy, tender, and full of flavor. They cook in just 15 minutes — perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you need a quick, tasty dinner everyone will love! Be sure to check out my video guide and tips for juicy chicken drumsticks in your air fryer every time.
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Best Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
These are the best air fryer chicken drumsticks — juicy, tender, and packed with bold, fragrant flavors. The marinade with lemongrass and turmeric gives them that satay chicken drumstick taste in every bite. No dry or boring chicken here — just the best chicken drumsticks you’ll ever make.
They’re quick to cook and easy to clean up, perfect for busy weeknights or anytime you need something fast and delicious. Whether you’re cooking for your family or just for yourself, these chicken legs come out perfect in the air fryer, every time.
If you love using your air fryer, be sure to try my Air Fryer Chicken Tenders and Air Fryer Honey Garlic Shrimp!
Why This Recipe Is A Keeper
It’s not just another chicken legs recipe in the air fryer — this one’s packed with bold flavors and couldn’t be easier to make. Here’s why it’s a keeper:
- Juicy chicken and the flavor is next-level. You get bold, fragrant notes from lemongrass and turmeric, balanced with garlic and a hint of heat that keeps every bite so good.
- The marinade does all the work. Just mix it up, let the chicken sit, and the flavors soak right in — no effort, no dry chicken, just tender, flavorful meat every time.
- Quick, foolproof, and no mess. Just 15 minutes in the air fryer for golden, juicy chicken — no greasy splatter or extra pans to deal with.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken legs – You can use chicken thighs or leg quarters too — just keep in mind they might need a couple more minutes in the air fryer.
- Garlic
- Lemongrass – If you can’t find fresh lemongrass, frozen or lemongrass paste works too — use about 1 teaspoon paste for each stalk.
- Olive oil
- Turmeric powder
- Coriander powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Salt
- Honey
Check out the recipe card below for all the details and exact measurements.
How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Grab a bowl, throw in the chicken and everything else (just leave the basting oil out for now). Then just mix it all up — make sure every piece is nicely coated.
Let the chicken sit and soak up all those flavors for at least 30 minutes — but if you’ve got the time, give it an hour.
Pop the chicken legs into your air fryer basket in a single layer. Don’t waste that leftover marinade — spoon it right over the top. Air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes, then give them a quick baste with a little olive oil to keep things juicy.
After 10 minutes, flip the chicken legs over and brush on a bit more olive oil. Air fry for another 5 minutes at 200°C (400°F) until they’re cooked through and beautifully golden. That’s it! Take them out and serve them up hot — so good!
Secret To Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
- Don’t rush the marinade. If you can, let the chicken sit for a good hour — the lemongrass and spices really soak in and make every bite flavorful. If the marinade feels a little thick or dry, just splash in a tablespoon or two of water and mix it up.
- Don’t cram the chicken in. Leave a bit of space between each drumstick so the hot air can circulate — that’s the secret to even cooking and beautiful color without burning or drying out.
- Olive oil basting makes a big difference. That little brush of oil halfway through gives you beautiful color and a glossy finish — totally worth the extra step!
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s best to thaw the chicken legs fully before marinating and cooking. If you cook them straight from frozen, they won’t cook evenly, and the flavors just won’t soak in the same way.
Yes. Just mix it up and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready, toss it with the chicken and you’re good to go.
You can bake these too — just pop them in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway through. Or throw them on the grill if you want that extra smoky flavor.
You’ll know the chicken’s done when the internal temp hits 74°C (165°F). A quick check with a meat thermometer does the trick. The juices should run clear, and there shouldn’t be any pink inside.
Yes. Just pack it into a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to cook, let it thaw in the fridge overnight.
Pop any leftovers into an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, just throw them back in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 3–5 minutes — they’ll come out warm and still juicy!
This recipe is 360 calories per chicken leg.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Legs
For an easy and wholesome weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes:
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
Other Air Fryer Recipes You Might Like
Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 5 chicken legs, around 500g (1.1lb)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 stalk lemongrass, use only white part (bottom 6 inches), grated with Microplane
- 1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon, heaping turmeric powder
- 1/4 teaspoon coriander powder, optional
- 3 dashes cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon, heaping salt
- 1 tablespoon honey
Basting
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, or vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the chicken with all the ingredients except for the olive oil for basting. Stir well to coat evenly.
- Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, but for the best flavor, marinate for 1 hour.
- Place the chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spoon the leftover marinade over them and air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes. Then, baste the chicken with olive oil.
- Flip the chicken legs and baste them with olive oil. Air fry at 200°C (400°F) for another 5 minutes, until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove from the air fryer and serve hot.
Video
Notes
- Don’t rush the marinade. If you can, let the chicken sit for a good hour — the lemongrass and spices really soak in and make every bite flavorful. If the marinade feels a little thick or dry, just splash in a tablespoon or two of water and mix it up.
- Don’t cram the chicken in. Leave a bit of space between each drumstick so the hot air can circulate — that’s the secret to even cooking and beautiful color without burning or drying out.
- Olive oil basting makes a big difference. That little brush of oil halfway through gives you beautiful color and a glossy finish — totally worth the extra step!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
