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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.
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.
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:
