Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Deeply savory, a little bit smoky and a little bit sweet, these Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Legs are cooked to crispy perfection in the air fryer. They’re truly finger-licking good!
Licking your fingers might be bad manners, but honestly, how can you let any of this deliciousness go to waste by wiping it on a napkin?! But not only are these garlic Parmesan air fryer chicken legs incredibly tasty, they’re also easy to make and a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken. Wins all around!
The air fryer is the best way to get crispy chicken outside of deep frying, and honestly, just a little bit of oil, salt, and pepper will make delicious chicken legs in the air fryer. But to reach finger-licking good status, I add garlic, Parmesan, and some other seasonings I love using for chicken. This recipe is super simple, but it delivers so much big flavor!
(For more ways to do chicken in the air fryer, try my Air Fryer Chicken Wings, Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, and The Best Air Fryer Chicken Breast.)
Ingredients for Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for this recipe. For the full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Brown Sugar – Adds sweetness and a little bit of caramelization. You can use dark or light brown sugar.
- Seasonings – A combination of onion and garlic powders, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. We get lots of flavor from this handful of pantry ingredients!
- Parmesan Cheese – You can use store-bought grated Parm or grate it yourself for extra credit. Fresh Parm has a more nuanced, nutty flavor than the green bottles, which kind of hit you over the head with pungent and salty.
- Chicken Thighs – Bone-in provides extra flavor and juiciness.
- Olive Oil – Helps with browning and getting that crispy skin.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Legs
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for full printable instructions.
- Make the seasoning mixture. Whisk all of the ingredients in a small bowl.
- Season the chicken. Pat the chicken dry, then coat it in oil and the seasonings. Make sure you season both sides!
- Air fry. Cook in a 415ºF air fryer with the skin side down for 10 minutes, then flip and cook 4 to 5 minutes more. (Use a thermometer to check for doneness; larger pieces may need extra time.)
- Serve. Pair these air fryer chicken legs with your favorite dipping sauce.
I love this Air Fryer because it’s easy to use, easy to clean and has 9 different cooking modes. The price is right, too!
This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.
Tips and Variations
Here are some simple tips and variations to make your air fryer chicken legs PERFECT!
- Try another seasoning. You can use this air fryer cooking method for any seasoned chicken legs. I love my Poultry Seasoning, Classic Cajun Seasoning, and Lemon Pepper Seasoning with chicken!
- Preheat your air fryer. Just like with an oven, preheating your air fryer ensures that the chicken starts cooking at the right temperature, resulting in more even cooking and a crispy exterior.
- Avoid overcrowding the basket. It’s important to leave enough space between the chicken legs for air to circulate properly. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and less crispy results, so cook in batches if needed.
- Use a meat thermometer. To avoid undercooked or overcooked chicken, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
To store leftovers, place the chicken legs in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in foil and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days. I like to reheat them in the air fryer to restore their original crispiness, but if you’re at work and only have a microwave for reheating, that’ll do—just be careful not to overheat the chicken.
What to Serve With Garlic Parmesan Chicken Legs
- Honey Mustard
- Roasted Green Beans
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Roasted Red Potatoes
- Easy Garlic Butter Sauce
- Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower
More Air Fryer Favorites
- Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas
- Air Fryer French Toast
- Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Crispy Air Fryer Salmon Bites
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
For more easy chicken recipes, follow us on Instagram and Facebook!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Legs Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Onion Powder
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cayenne
- ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the seasoning and set aside.
- Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and arrange on a plate or platter.
- Coat the chicken with the olive oil and then season the chicken on both sides.
- Preheat the air fryer to 415˚F.
- Arrange the chicken, skin side down, in the air fryer basket in a single layer, working in batches if necessary.
- Air fry the chicken for 10 minutes. flip the chicken and air fry for an additional 4-5 minutes. Check for doneness with an instant read thermometer. If your pieces are larger, you may need to cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- Serve with your favorite sauce for dipping!