Sweet Hot Air Fryer Chicken Legs
The air fryer is the perfect option for cooking chicken legs! First, cook the chicken legs until golden brown and crispy, and then drench them in a sweet-hot Asian style sauce for an absolutely addictive dinner offering. See variations for making these less spicy or using your own sauce on these.
Servings: 10 chicken legs
Calories: 315kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 chicken legs
- avocado oil
- 1 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- black pepper to taste
Sweet Hot Sauce
- 1/2 cup coconut aminos
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup SunButter No Sugar Added
- 1/4 cup Sriracha paleo recommended
- 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt optional or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 390º F for 5 minutes.
- Spray or drizzle chicken legs with avocado oil. Sprinkle with baking powder, salt and pepper. Rub the seasonings into the chicken legs to evenly coat the skin.
- Air fry the chicken legs for 20 minutes, until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
- Dip the chicken legs in the Sweet Hot sauce to fully coat. I dip them twice for a thicker coating of the sauce.
- Add the chicken legs back into the air fryer, and continue to cook at 390º F for 3 minutes.
Sweet Hot Sauce
- Add all ingredients into a saucepan, and whisk to combine. Heat over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Continue to whisk occasionally while the sauce simmers for about 5 minutes. The sauce will thicken after a few minutes.
Video
Notes
Is Baking Powder Gluten Free?
Baking powder is made with corn starch (or sometimes potato starch), baking soda, and cream of tartar. All of these ingredients are gluten free. Purchase a certified gluten free baking powder if your sensitive to gluten.
Can I use other types of chicken, like chicken thighs?
Yes! This sauce, similar to a BBQ sauce, can be used to coat any type of chicken you'd like to cook. Use these directions for cooking times for air fryer chicken thighs, but prepare them with the same seasonings and sauce as this recipe.
Can I Make these without an Air Fryer?
Yes! You can make Sweet Hot Chicken Legs in the oven. Preheat the oven to 425º F, and place the chicken legs on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake them for 35 minutes, then coat them in the sauce and return them to the oven for an additional 5 minutes.
You can also use this sweet-hot sauce on grilled chicken. Brush it on in the last 3-5 minutes of grilling, similar to a BBQ sauce!
Is the sauce spicy?
The sauce is spicy, but it's not overwhelming. You can cut the amount of sriracha in half if necessary to make these more sweet and less hot.
Can I use my Own BBQ Sauce?
Yes, save time and make BBQ Air Fryer Chicken Legs by using your favorite pre made sauce. Add the sauce to the cooked chicken legs and return to the air fryer for an additional 3 minutes.
Nutrition
Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 731mg | Potassium: 273mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 125IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg