Description
These Brown Sugar Chicken Legs in Air Fryer – Chicken feature crispy, caramelized skin and juicy, tender meat. Seasoned with a blend of brown sugar and smoky spices, they’re the perfect sweet-and-savory weeknight dinner ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 chicken legs or drumsticks (about 2 to 2.5 lbs)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Trim any excess fat from the chicken legs and pat them dry with paper towels to ensure the skin crisps properly.
- Place the chicken legs in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat evenly.
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, smoked paprika, cumin, and black pepper. Sprinkle over the chicken and toss until fully coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Arrange the chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not overlap.
- Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to lock in the juices.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is completely dry before seasoning to achieve the crispiest skin.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; space allows for even airflow and cooking.
- Adjust cook time slightly based on your air fryer model.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 400°F for 3–4 minutes for best results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken leg
- Calories: 531
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 65g
- Cholesterol: 342mg
Keywords: Brown Sugar Chicken Legs in Air Fryer, Air Fryer Chicken, Sweet and Savory Chicken, Crispy Chicken Legs, Easy Chicken Dinner, Quick Air Fryer Recipes