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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Legs

If you’re in the mood for some barbecue chicken legs but don’t fancy firing up the BBQ why not cook them in the air fryer? They’re really easy to prepare and taste amazing.

chicken legs in bbq sauce

What You Need

  • 4 to 8 chicken legs
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp dried rosemary
  • 200ml BBQ sauce (use your favourite brand or homemade)

Side Note: You can use 2 to 3 teaspoons of a premade BBQ spice rub/mix if you have one instead of the seasonings above.

Making It

Prepare the Chicken Legs

Pat the chicken legs dry with kitchen paper to ensure the skin gets nice and crispy. In a bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Add the chicken legs to the bowl and toss to coat them evenly with the seasoning mixture.

Pour about 150ml of the BBQ sauce over the chicken legs, making sure they are all covered. Leave to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or longer/overnight if you have the time.

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Place the chicken legs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they aren’t overlapping to allow for even cooking.

Air Fry the Chicken

Air fry the chicken legs at 200°C (390°F) for 20 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time (around 10 minutes), open the air fryer and flip the chicken legs to ensure they cook evenly on all sides.

After 20 minutes, brush the chicken legs with the remaining BBQ sauce. Make sure to coat them well on all sides. Cook for an additional 5 minutes. This will allow the sauce to caramelise and create a delicious glaze.

After 25 minutes, check if the chicken legs are cooked through. They should have an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F). If they need more time, continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.

chicken legs in bbq sauce

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Legs

By Liana Green
If you’re in the mood for some barbecue chicken legs but don’t fancy firing up the BBQ why not cook them in the air fryer? They’re really easy to prepare and taste amazing.
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
marinate 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Servings 8 drumsticks
Calories

Ingredients
  

  • 4 to 8 chicken legs
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp dried rosemary
  • 200 ml BBQ sauce use your favourite brand or homemade

Instructions
 

  • Pat the chicken legs dry with kitchen paper to ensure the skin gets nice and crispy.
  • Season the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Add the chicken legs to the bowl and toss to coat them evenly with the seasoning mixture.
  • Add the sauce: Pour approx 150ml of the BBQ sauce over the chicken legs, making sure they are all covered. Leave to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or longer/overnight if you have the time.
  • Arrange in the Air Fryer: Place the seasoned chicken legs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they aren’t overlapping to allow for even cooking.
  • Cook: Air fry the chicken legs at 200°C (390°F) for 20 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time (around 10 minutes), open the air fryer and flip the chicken legs to ensure they cook evenly on all sides.
  • Add the remaining BBQ Sauce: After 20 minutes, brush the chicken legs with the remaining BBQ sauce. Make sure to coat them well on all sides.
  • Finish Cooking: Air fry for an additional 5 minutes. This will allow the sauce to caramelise and create a delicious glaze.
  • Check for Doneness: Check if the chicken legs are cooked through. They should have an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F). If they need more time, continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.

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5 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




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Roland

Saturday 22nd of June 2024

Very pleased.