Get ready to transform your ordinary chicken dinner into a flavor explosion that'll have everyone begging for seconds! These Air Fryer Old Bay Chicken Legs are the ultimate game-day, weeknight, or anytime meal that combines the perfect crunch of air-fried chicken with the legendary spicy-savory kick of Old Bay seasoning. Imagine biting into a chicken leg so crispy it shatters like a delicate shell, revealing juicy, perfectly seasoned meat underneath - all without the guilt of deep-frying!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken legs
- 2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Remove chicken legs from refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Pat chicken legs completely dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve crispy skin.
- In a large mixing bowl, drizzle olive oil over chicken legs and thoroughly coat each piece.
- Sprinkle Old Bay seasoning generously over all sides of the chicken legs, massaging the seasoning into the meat to ensure even coverage.
- Preheat Ninja Foodi Air Fryer to 380°F (193°C) for approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Arrange chicken legs in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded to allow proper air circulation.
- Cook chicken legs for 22-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and crispy skin.
- Check internal temperature of chicken using a meat thermometer - it should reach 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the leg.
- Once cooked, remove chicken legs from air fryer and let rest for 3-5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or a squeeze of lemon before serving for added flavor.
Tips
- Temperature Matters: Always let chicken sit at room temperature before cooking to ensure even heat distribution.
- Pat Dry for Crispiness: Use paper towels to remove all moisture from chicken legs - this is the secret to achieving that irresistible crispy skin.
- Don't Overcrowd: Give your chicken legs breathing room in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding prevents proper air circulation and results in uneven cooking.
- Flip for Even Browning: Turning the chicken legs halfway through cooking ensures a beautiful, golden-brown exterior on all sides.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Always check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the leg for safe consumption.
- Let It Rest: Allow the chicken to rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking to help redistribute juices, keeping the meat tender and moist.
- Experiment with Seasoning: While Old Bay is fantastic, feel free to experiment with different spice blends to make the recipe your own!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 258kcal
Carbohydrates: 2g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 70mg
