Get ready to transform ordinary chicken legs into a mouthwatering masterpiece that will have your family begging for seconds! These air fryer BBQ chicken legs are the ultimate quick and easy meal that combines crispy, golden-brown skin with a tantalizing BBQ glaze that will make your taste buds dance. In just 35 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-quality dish that's both healthier and more delicious than traditional cooking methods.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken legs
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 4 chicken legs, 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, and salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create a seasoning blend.
- Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps achieve a crispy texture when cooking.
- Rub the seasoning blend evenly over each chicken leg, ensuring they are well coated for maximum flavor.
- Once the chicken legs are seasoned, pour the BBQ sauce over them. Use a brush or your hands to coat the chicken legs evenly with the sauce.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 5 minutes. This helps to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Arrange the BBQ-coated chicken legs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. This allows for proper air circulation.
- Cook the chicken legs in the air fryer at 380°F (193°C) for 25 minutes. Flip the chicken legs halfway through the cooking time to ensure they cook evenly and get crispy on both sides.
- After 25 minutes, check the internal temperature of the chicken legs using a meat thermometer. They should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be safely cooked.
- If the chicken legs are not fully cooked, continue to air fry in 2-3 minute increments until they reach the proper temperature.
- Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken legs from the air fryer and let them rest for about 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the chicken more tender.
- Serve the BBQ chicken legs hot, drizzled with any remaining BBQ sauce if desired. Enjoy your delicious air-fried BBQ chicken legs!
Tips
- Pat the chicken legs completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum crispiness.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket - leave space between chicken legs for even cooking.
- Flip the chicken legs halfway through cooking to get an even, crispy exterior.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking to retain maximum juiciness.
- For extra flavor, try experimenting with different BBQ sauce varieties or homemade marinades.
- If you like extra crispy skin, spray the chicken legs lightly with cooking oil before air frying.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 246kcal
Carbohydrates: 14g
Protein: 31g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 80mg
