Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Legs is an easy frugal meal that’s a bit sticky but very tasty with crispy skin, juicy meat, and a sweet and savory teriyaki glaze!
If you are looking for a quick, easy, and frugal meal for the air fryer use a package of chicken legs or chicken drumsticks to make this delicious quick dinner idea. It cooks faster in the air fryer than in the oven and comes out with perfectly crispy skin and full of great flavor.
This recipe is easy to make gluten-free with a simple swap using gluten-free soy sauce to make the teriyaki sauce.
The air fryer is a game changer when it comes to making chicken legs because it’s easy to get crisp skin without using a lot of oil, only a light spray of olive oil spray or grapeseed oil spray is needed.
Can you cook frozen chicken legs in the Air Fryer?
If you use frozen chicken legs, they will take longer to cook closer to 40 minutes. I’d suggest thawing them first, if you thaw them first it should only take about 25 minutes to cook in the air fryer.
In the case of air fryer teriyaki chicken legs, it’s best to use thawed so that the sauce soaks into the chicken.
Can you put aluminum foil in the air fryer?
Aluminum foil can be used in the air fryer, as long as food is placed on it before starting the air fryer. This will allow the foil to stay down and not blow into the heating element.
If you use foil, be sure the sides are rolled up a bit to make sure the air still circulates.
What ingredients do you need for Homemade Teriyaki Sauce?
Teriyaki sauce is a delicious item to make right at home with pantry items. This can be made with store-bought teriyaki sauce, but if you want to make your own, this is what you will need.
The sauce will be made in a small saucepan and brought to a boil, then it will be ready to brush onto the chicken legs.
- Soy Sauce or Gluten-Free Soy Sauce (or Coconut Aminos)
- Water
- Rice Wine Vinegar
- Brown Sugar
- Granulated Sugar
- Garlic
- Ground Ginger
- Cornstarch
This sauce is also used in the Air Fryer Chicken Teriyaki Bowls.
How do you cook the Air Fryer Chicken Teriyaki Chicken Legs?
These will be cooked similarly to the Air Fryer Seasoned Chicken Drumsticks. The Air Fryer Chicken Teriyaki Legs will need to be coated with sauce before cooking.
Once they are coated, place them in the air fryer and cook for 20-25 minutes at 390 degrees F. The internal temperature must reach at least 165 degrees F to be considered fully cooked. This can be easily checked with a meat thermometer.
Tips for Making Air Fryer Chicken Legs:
- Do not overcrowd the basket, be sure to leave room for the air to circulate.
- Keep the chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Use a meat thermometer, this is the BEST way to get the perfect temperature.
- Coat the chicken legs in the beginning, then turn them after 10 minutes and coat again.
Serving Suggestions:
- Pair with Steamed Rice or Fried Rice
- Steamed Green Beans or Air Fryer Green Beans
- Air Fryer Broccoli
How do you store leftover chicken legs?
Once fully cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
When ready to reheat, place in the air fryer at 330 degrees F for 2-3 minutes to maximize the crispy skin.
Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Legs is a quick, easy meal that will become a go-to for a busy weekend and is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!
Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Legs
Ingredients
- 6 Chicken Legs Drumsticks
- 1/2 Cup Gluten-Free Soy Sauce or Regular Soy Sauce Coconut Aminos
- 1/4 Cup Water
- 2 Tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar
- 2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1/4 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 Clove Garlic Crushed
- 1 Tsp Ground Ginger
- 1/2 Tbsp Cornstarch
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, water, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, regular sugar, garlic, and ginger.
- Whisk well until combined.
- Bring to a low boil on medium-high heat and whisk in the cornstarch.
- Remove from heat and set aside to thicken.
- Line the air fryer with aluminum foil if preferred and coat with olive oil cooking spray, place 6 chicken drumsticks that are thawed in the air fryer.
- Coat them well with the teriyaki sauce and a coat of olive oil cooking spray.
- Cook at 390°F for 10 minutes.
- Rotate the chicken carefully and then coat with another coat of sauce and spray.
- Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Jeannine Meador says
Just finishing preparing and feasting on the best teriyaki chicken ever. Having lived in Japan I’m fussy about my oriental foods and this is by far the best sauce ever. Followed the recipe exactly (used low sodium soy) and it is perfect. I did 3 legs and 3 chicken tenders as that was what I had on hand. Just monitored the tenders so as to not over cook. Simple and easy. I plan to make a jar of this sauce and keep on hand. I do think next time I’ll marinate the chicken legs in a bag a few minutes as is easier than basting and all the cracks and crevices get covered. Oh the wings that could be made. And stir fry. Thank you so much for all your recipes!
Kristy says
So glad you enjoyed it!!