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Air fryer chicken leg quarters are an easy and versatile main dish perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep. The air fryer is fast and crisps up chicken skin perfectly without oil. Ready in under 30 minutes, this chicken is simply seasoned so it pairs well with anything.
In this post, you’ll learn the best seasonings to use, how long to cook chicken legs in an air fryer, and expert tips for super crispy chicken. Don’t have an air fryer? Check out my Japanese-inspired baked chicken leg quarters!

Table of Contents
Ingredients
Chicken leg quarters are so juicy and flavorful! Keeping the seasonings simple lets the natural flavors shine. I use dry spices to season because they’re easy to use and stick to the chicken better. Plus, they don’t add any moisture.

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- Whole chicken legs: I used 4 large chicken quarters for this recipe (about 3.5 lbs).
- Seasoning for air fryer chicken quarters: Coarse sea salt, ground black pepper, ginger powder, and garlic powder. See notes below for more seasoning options.
- Lemon for a garnish—lemon adds a bright citrusy flavor that pairs perfectly with chicken.
How to air fry chicken leg quarters
Cooking chicken quarters in an air fryer is super simple! For this recipe, we will air fry the chicken in two separate batches—this is so we don’t overcrowd the basket and the texture can get super crispy. The total cooking time for all four legs will be about 40 minutes.
Prep chicken and seasonings:
- Mix the dry spices in a small bowl. Pat the chicken dry and then rub the spices all over—front, back, and under the skin for maximum flavor.
Air fryer time and temp for chicken quarters:

- First batch: Place 2 chicken legs, skin side down leaving space between them.
- Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 20 minutes. Flip the legs skin side up during the last 8 minutes—this is the secret to truly crispy skin!
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; Your chicken is done when it reaches 165°F (74°C). If needed, cook for 3–5 more minutes.
- Second batch: Repeat these steps for the second batch.
Garnish and serve:
- Let the chicken rest for 5–10 minutes to keep the juices inside. Serve with lemon wedges for a bright, citrusy finish.
Good to know
Larger chicken quarters may need extra time to cook, and different air fryer models can affect the total cooking time. If needed, add 3–5 minutes at a time and use a digital meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
More seasoning and flavor choices
Our recipe focuses on a savory, citrusy flavor profile. If you’re craving variety, try using spice granules or powders—they stick well to the chicken and don’t require any marinating beforehand.
- Spicy Kick: Chili powder, Korean chili flakes (gochugaru), or hot paprika.
- Herby and Aromatic: Herbes de Provence, dried thyme, or parsley.
- A Touch of Sweetness: Honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar.
- Dipping Sauces: Pair with ginger scallion sauce, chili garlic sauce, or Vietnamese nuoc cham for extra flavor.
What to serve with chicken quarters in air fryer
These air fryer bone-in chicken legs are a crispy and juicy main that pairs well with your favorite veggies and grain. They make a quick and easy weeknight meal and are great for meal prep, too.
- Vegetable sides: Serve with frozen broccoli in air fryer, air fryer frozen green beans, or hearty air fryer zucchini and squash for a truly effortless meal. Or kick up the flavor with my honey sriracha brussel sprouts cooked in the air fryer or oven.
- Air fryer rice: Round out your meal with easy air fryer rice or this colorful air fryer fried rice. Simple, healthy, and delicious!
ChihYu’s helpful notes:
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket: Cook the chicken in batches to allow proper air circulation. This will give you even cooking and crispy skin.
- Skin side down first: Start with the skin side down and flip it skin side up during the last few minutes of cooking. This method ensures the skin crisps beautifully.
- Extra crispy tip: Pat the chicken dry, then season with dry spices—they stick better to the chicken and won’t add extra moisture while the chicken cooks.
- Storage and reheat: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 380°F (193°C) for 4–6 minutes until warmed through and crispy.
FAQs
Chicken leg quarters are the thigh and the drumstick, before they’ve been cut. Leg quarters are super affordable—plus they’re extra juicy and flavorful.
Yes you can use the same seasoning but adjust the time and temperature. For bone-in drumsticks and thighs, air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 18-20 minutes. For boneless thighs, cook at 380°F (193°C) for 12–15 minutes. Flip halfway through cooking for even crispiness.
More bone-in air fryer chicken recipes
Looking for more simple yet delicious dinner ideas? Give one of my other yummy bone-in chicken recipes a try!
- Chicken lollipop: A tender and juicy drumstick recipe that’s air-fried to crispy and great for sharing!
- Frozen chicken wings in air fryer: Straight from frozen into the air fryer, these air fryer chicken wings are as simple as it gets! Serve with an optional yogurt ranch dressing.
- Vietnamese grilled chicken drumsticks: These tender drumsticks are grilled in a sweet and savory Vietnamese-inspired glaze.

Air fryer chicken leg quarters recipe

Video
Ingredients
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tsp coarse sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ginger powder
- 1 tsp garlic granule
- 3.5 lb whole chicken legs 4 large legs
- 1 lemon for garnish
Instructions
To Season:
- Mix the pepper, salt, ginger powder, and garlic granule in a bowl. Pat the chicken dry, then rub the spices all over—front, back, and under the skin.
To Air fry:
- Place 2 chicken legs, skin side down, in a 6-quart air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
- Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 20 minutes total. Flip the legs skin side up during the last 8 minutes to crisp the skin.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should reach 165°F (74°C). If not, cook for 3–5 more minutes.
- Repeat with the second batch.
Serve:
- Let the chicken rest for 5–10 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
- To Bake: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the chicken skin side up on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Bake for 35–45 minutes, checking for doneness at 35 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Crispy Skin Tips: Pat the chicken dry, then season with dry spices—they stick better to the chicken and won’t add extra moisture. Start with the skin side down, then flip it skin side up toward the end to crisp. The side that cooks last always crisps up more, so this method works best.
- Storage and Reheating: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 380°F (193°C) for 4–6 minutes until warmed through and crispy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.