Easy Kalbi Chicken Legs in Air Fryer
Tender chicken drumsticks marinated in a sweet and savory Kalbi sauce and cooked to crispy perfection in an air fryer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes + 2 hours marinating
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs chicken drumsticks
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp neutral oil (e.g., canola or avocado oil)
- Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
- Chopped green onions, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Kalbi Marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, onion powder, rice vinegar, and neutral oil. Whisk thoroughly until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place your chicken drumsticks into a large sealable bag or an airtight container. Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Refrigerate and let it marinate for a minimum of 2 hours, or ideally, overnight for maximum flavor penetration.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to preheat at 380°F (195°C) for approximately 3 minutes.
- Arrange Chicken: Lightly mist the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Remove chicken from the marinade, shaking off any excess. Arrange the marinated chicken legs in a single layer within the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd. You might need to cook them in batches.
- Cook the Chicken: Air fry the chicken at 380°F for 22–25 minutes. Ensure you flip the chicken halfway through the cooking process to promote even browning and crispiness. The chicken is fully cooked when its internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the skin is golden brown.
- Serve: Once cooked, allow the chicken to rest for about 5 minutes. Garnish with sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions, if desired, before serving.
Notes
- Marinate overnight for the best flavor.
- Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.
- Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F for safety.