These air fryer chicken legs are so simple to make with just 3 ingredients! Perfect to serve as an appetizer or part of a main meal, they require very minimal prep and are ready to serve in about half an hour. Deliciously sticky and made with my homemade BBQ sauce.
We eat a ton of BBQ around these parts. Whether it's BBQ Ribs or pulled pork, it goes down in our house. Now I've added these bbq chicken legs to the mix and they are perfect for these busy weeknights.
It's never been easy to make wonderfully crispy and juicy chicken legs! Made with my homemade BBQ seasoning and BBQ sauce, they are wonderfully sweet and tangy and a real crowd pleaser!
Serve them up as a tasty game day appetizer or as part of a main with my air fryer fries and carrot raisin salad.
How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Legs
- Preheat air fryer basket to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Season Chicken legs with BBQ Rub, making sure all pieces are fully covered.
- Place in air fryer basket and cook for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Once 25 minutes is up, brush BBQ Sauce over all the pieces of chicken. Air fryer for an additional 5 minutes or until the BBQ is charred and sticky.
Can you reheat them?
If you do have leftovers, you can easily reheat them in the air fryer to get them nice and crispy again. Preheat the air fryer to 375F and cook them in a single layer for 5 to 7 minutes, flipping once, until cooked through. If you have an instant read thermometer, they should register at 165F.
Take care to only reheat the chicken legs once.
What's the best BBQ sauce to use?
I admit it, I'm biased, but my homemade BBQ sauce is perfect for these chicken legs, and really takes them to another level. Of course, if you are pushed for time you can use your favorite store bought brand. Just make sure the BBQ sauce is thick enough to get sticky.
I like to use a dry rub first for a really deep and rich flavor. So delicious!
Why cook them in an air fryer?
These chicken legs are so easy to cook in the air fryer and they come out so wonderfully crispy and juicy. They cook to perfection every single time! It's also quicker than the oven or grill. The cooking method is pretty hands off too , leaving you able to get on with other things.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- This recipe is easily doubled. If you are making more, be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket or they won't get crispy all over.
- You can make the seasoning mix and bbq sauce days ahead of time so that it's super quick to make these chicken legs.
- Be sure to preheat your air fryer before adding the legs. This will help them to cook evenly through and help them not stick to the basket.
You can use other parts of the chicken...
- Boneless chicken breast (6 oz each) - 13-14 minutes on 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- Chicken legs and chicken wings - 30 minutes on 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- Boneless Chicken thighs - 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-17 minutes, flipping halfway through
- Bone-in chicken thighs - 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 22-25, flipping halfway through. Then crank up to 390 degrees for 5 minutes if you want crispy skin.
- Chicken Wings - Same time as these legs.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- BBQ Air Fried Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Fried Chicken
- Fried Chicken Tacos
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- General Tso's Chicken
- Lemon Pepper Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Watch this video tutorial and see how I make these chicken legs from start to finish.
Sticky BBQ Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer basket to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Season Chicken legs with BBQ Rub, making sure all pieces are fully covered.
- Place in air fryer basket and cook for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Once 25 minutes is up, brush BBQ Sauce over all the pieces of chicken. Air fryer for an additional 5 minutes or until the BBQ is charred and sticky.
- Remove and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- This recipe is easily doubled. If you are making more, be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket or they won't get crispy all over.
- You can make the seasoning mix and bbq sauce days ahead of time so that it's super quick to make these chicken legs.
- Be sure to preheat your air fryer before adding the legs. This will help them to cook evenly through and help them not stick to the basket.
Vicki says
This recipe is the third recipe for chicken legs I've tried in my new air fryer/toaster and it's the best of the lot. I cooked the heck out of them (they were big legs).....50 minutes all told...because the other times I cooked chicken legs they leaked pink juice on the plate even though the internal temp said they were done, and that grossed me out; I had to put them back to cook some more...not so with these, they were perfect! Loved the crispy charred skin and barbecue taste, reminded me of grilled chicken. Great recipe!
Patty says
Made these for the 4th - turned out perfectly! The meat was fall off the bone, and the dry rub added an extra ‘oompf.
Jeanette says
Hi Tanya, thanks for your airfryer recipes! I love this one and the lemon pepper chicken one!
Jim says
Hello Tanya,
I was really wanting some BBQ chicken but with a cold, blustery and rainy day we were having
standing outside with the grill was out of the question. Since I already had potato salad and baked beans (I cheated, they were store bought LOL) I really needed and craved BBQ chicken. It came to me... air fryer. I'm sure there are probably thousands of Google sites but from experience I went to My Forking Life and sure enough... a great recipe as always!
I followed the recipe and they came out GREAT! Thank you for all your great ideas and recipes. I can always count on the Air Fryer Queen - YOU! As I've said before, your family is truly blessed to have such a talented lady in their lives. Thanks again!
Tanya says
Thank you so much Jim!
Naica says
Tried this tonight and my boyfriend loved it.. it was easy to follow and doesn't take too much time preparing, will try your other air fryer recipes 🙂
Steve G. says
I made these drumsticks tonight and they were absolutely amazing!! I can now do BBQ year round up here in Massachusetts!!! Thanks for the recipe!
Jovan says
Amazing recipe!! This is a great way to enjoy BBQ all year (I live in Minnesota). I made bone in chicken thighs and the instructions were perfect! I really appreciate the instructions for the different meat! Everyone loved it - I definitely recommend!
Tanya says
Thank you so much Jovan! So glad you all liked it 🙂
korrina says
Your BBQ sauce recipe is so so good and these little drumsticks turned out great! Can’t wait to check out some of your other recipes. Bravo!
Tanya says
Thanks so much Korrina! So glad you liked the recipe 🙂
Nicole says
This is so so good!!! Thanks for the recipe! Look forward making others!!
Tanya says
Thank you Nicole 🙂
Bonnie Thiel says
how to make your bbq rub. i want to make this tonight.
Tanya says
Hi Bonnie, it's this one https://www.myforkinglife.com/homemade-bbq-seasoning/
Yolanda says
This is the BEST way to make BBQ chicken not on the grill. OMG! I use to bake it but using the air fryer is much better and the seasoning is on point. Thank you!!!!!
Tanya says
Thank you so much Yolanda 🙂
Jessicas Halverstadt says
These look so amazing! Can't wait to try!
Joanne says
Just getting this recipe. How about the element getting all gooey?
Tanya says
Hi Joanne, I haven't had an issue with the element getting gooey with this recipe.
Ruthie says
On the Sticky BBQ Chicken Legs recipe, I'm wondering if it leaves the air fryer extremely messy. Am afraid to try it.
Tanya says
Hi Ruthie, it does lol. But I just add a little soap and water to the basket and the bbq comes right off.
Dana McCurdy says
Oh! We love wings here too. Thank you for sharing these.
Tanya says
You're so welcome. I hope you enjoy 🙂