Air Fryer Chicken Legs with Smoky Chipotle Glaze (Crispy!)

Recipe highlights

Looking for crispy, juicy chicken with minimal effort? These Air Fryer Chicken Legs are marinated in a smoky, spicy-sweet chipotle glaze and cooked to perfection in under 30 minutes! This recipe offers:

• Maximum Crisp: The air fryer guarantees perfectly crispy skin without deep frying.
• Irresistible Flavor: A simple, homemade chipotle glaze delivers smoky heat and balanced sweetness.
• Weeknight Friendly: Total time is under 40 minutes, making it a perfect family dinner.

Ingredients you need

• Chicken Drumsticks: About 8–10 drumsticks.
• The Glaze Base: Honey or maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil.
• Chipotle Power: Chipotle in adobo sauce (use the paste and a little of the sauce for the best smoky flavor).
• Seasoning: Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

Step-by-step photos and directions

Follow these simple steps for perfectly crispy, glazed chicken legs in your air fryer:

• Prep the Chicken: Pat the drumsticks completely dry using paper towels. This is essential for crispy skin! Place them in a large bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper.

• Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, apple cider vinegar, minced chipotle in adobo sauce, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Set aside about 2 tablespoons of this mixture to use for basting later; do not mix the reserved glaze with the raw chicken.

• Initial Air Fry: Preheat your air fryer to 380. Place the chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is space between them for air circulation (work in batches if necessary). Cook for 15 minutes.

• Flip and Continue: Open the air fryer and flip the chicken legs. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes.

• Glaze and Finish: Open the air fryer again. Brush the chicken legs generously with the prepared chipotle glaze (the batch that has not touched the raw chicken). Return them to the air fryer and cook for a final 5–8 minutes.

• Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the thickest part of the drumstick reads . The glaze should look sticky and slightly caramelized.
• Serve: Transfer the chicken to a platter and let it rest for a few minutes. Serve immediately with the reserved, cooked or fresh glaze on the side.

Love this recipe

If you love this recipe, save and share with friends and give five star.

Recipe tips and FAQs

• How to get crispy skin? Pat the chicken legs very dry with paper towels before seasoning. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary to allow air circulation.
• Adjusting the Heat: For less spice, use just the adobo sauce from the can and avoid the actual chipotle peppers. For more heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the glaze.
• Is it done yet? Always use a meat thermometer. Chicken is safely cooked when the internal temperature reaches 175F.

Storing/Freezing Instructions

Storing: Leftover chicken legs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350o for 5–7 minutes to restore crispiness.

Freezing: Cooked chicken legs can be frozen for up to 2 months. Cool them completely, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, and place them in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Air Fryer Chicken Legs (Drumsticks) with Chipotle Glaze

Ingredients

Component	Quantity (1x)
Chicken Drumsticks	8-10
Olive Oil (for chicken)	1 Tbsp
Salt & Pepper	To taste
For the Chipotle Glaze:
Honey (or Maple Syrup)	1/4 cup
Apple Cider Vinegar	1 Tbsp
Chipotle in Adobo (minced)	1-2 tsp
Garlic Powder	1 tsp
Smoked Paprika	1/2 tsp

Instructions

1. Prep Chicken: Pat the drumsticks completely dry. In a bowl, toss the drumsticks with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Make Glaze: In a separate small bowl, whisk together all the glaze ingredients (honey, vinegar, chipotle, garlic powder, and paprika) until smooth.
3. Air Fry (First Phase): Place the chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket (do not overcrowd). Cook at 380 for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
4. Glaze and Finish: Brush the chicken legs generously with the chipotle glaze. Return them to the air fryer and cook for another 5–8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches and the glaze is sticky and caramelized.
5. Serve: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

The total cooking time will vary based on the size of your drumsticks and your air fryer model. Always check the internal temperature. Do not apply the glaze until the last 5–8 minutes of cooking, as the honey will burn quickly at high temperatures.

SPECIAL NOTE

When working with chicken, always prioritize food safety. Ensure your chicken reaches an internal temperature of before consuming. Crucially, do not use the raw marinade as a finishing sauce. If you wish to serve extra glaze on the side, you must boil the remaining marinade vigorously for at least 5 minutes to eliminate bacteria, or simply whisk up a separate, reserved batch specifically for serving.

Nutrition

The estimation below is for one serving (2 drumsticks) and does not include significant variables like skin consumption or exact glaze usage.

Component	Estimated Value
Calories	350 kcal
Protein	30 g
Fat	20 g
Carbohydrates	10 g

Nutrition Disclaimer

The provided nutritional information is an estimate only, calculated using third-party software and based on the ingredients and proportions listed in this recipe. Actual values may vary significantly based on specific product brands (e.g., honey vs. maple syrup), chicken size, and exact portioning. This information should not be considered professional dietary advice. Please consult a registered dietitian or healthcare provider for specific health or nutrition guidance.