Air Fryer Chicken Quarters (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

We Love Our Air Fryer

When you’re short on time, want to cook something delicious and quick, without using a whole lot of oil (if any at all), that’s where the air fryer comes in handy.

We’ve been fans of the air fryer since we got it, and safe to say, it’s one of those kitchen appliances that can change your life, and the way you think of cooking.

Our Favorite Air Fryer Chicken Recipes:

• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
• Air Fryer Chicken Wings (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

What Are Chicken Leg Quarters?

Chicken leg quarters (or chicken quarters for short) basically refer to the whole chicken leg (including both the thigh and drumstick).

They usually come skin-on and bone-in as well, which in my opinion, is what makes it way tastier than chicken breast (which usually comes without skin or bone).

Why This Recipe Works:

• Simple Ingredients: The main ingredients required for this air fryer chicken quarters recipe are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
• Super Easy to Make: Cooking chicken in the air fryer really doesn’t get much easier than this. All you need to do is marinate the chicken quarters before air frying them. A 30-minute meal, this is the perfect weeknight dinner when you don’t have much time for cooking!
• Perfect Texture: Crispy chicken skin on the outside and tender meat inside, these air fried chicken leg quarters are just so tasty and delicious, even picky eaters will enjoy them!
• No Oil Splatters: Since there’s no deep-frying or pan-frying involved, you don’t have to worry about cleaning oil splatters on your kitchen tiles! Cooking is contained inside the air fryer, so there’s minimal cleanup involved.
• Totally Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free: The best part is that this recipe is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy them without issues.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for this air fryer chicken leg quarters recipe.

(For exact measurements and quantities, please scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

• Chicken Quarters: Chicken quarters basically refer to the whole chicken leg (including the thigh and drumstick). I’m using chicken quarters, but you can also use chicken thighs or chicken drumsticks instead.
• Mustard: I like mustard for taste, but you can also skip it if you aren’t a fan of mustard. I used yellow mustard, but feel free to use Dijon mustard or other mustard of your choice.
• Mayonnaise: I find that mayonnaise adds flavor and helps to retain moisture when spread as a marinade.
• Garlic: I used granulated garlic, but you can also use garlic powder if you prefer.
• Chicken Seasoning: Chicken seasoning mix, or chicken spice rub, can be found in most supermarkets. However, if you don’t have access to it, you can use a mix of onion powder, dried parsley, and cumin powder instead to make your own seasoning blend.

How to Cook Chicken Leg Quarters in Air Fryer (Step by Step):

1. Prepare Marinade

In a small bowl, combine the mustard, mayonnaise, salt, granulated garlic and spices in a bowl. Stir until you get a smooth marinade.

2. Rinse and Dry Chicken

Rinse the raw chicken quarters and pat the chicken dry with a paper towel, removing any excess fat (if any).

3. Marinate Chicken Quarters

Spread the marinade on all sides of the chicken quarters.

(TIP: If you have time, you can cover the chicken quarters with plastic wrap and let them marinate for a couple of hours in the refrigerator or overnight).

4. Preheat Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 400F (200C) and spray basket with nonstick cooking spray.

5. Place Chicken in Air Fryer

Place the chicken leg quarters in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

6. Cook Chicken Quarters

Air fry chicken quarters for 15 minutes at 400F, before flipping them to the other side and cooking for another 10 minutes.

(TIP: To check that the chicken is cooked, cut it in the middle and check that the juices run clear. If juices are not clear, cook a little longer. Depending on the size of the chicken quarters, you may need more or less time. If the chicken quarters are large, you can increase the frying time by another 5-7 minutes).

7. Serve and Enjoy

Serve the finished quarters immediately, while they are hot and very tasty. You can serve the air fryer chicken legs with a sauce of choice.

Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:

• Place Quarters in Single Layer: For best results, make sure that the chicken quarters are placed in a single layer in the air fryer basket (and not stacked on top of each other). This will ensure that there is enough space for the hot air to freely circulate and ensure that the chicken skin turns crispy all over.
• Serve With Sauce of Choice: These air fryer chicken quarters are delicious on their own, but you can also serve them with the sauce of your choice. (Some of our favorite sauces include sriracha, garlic aioli, barbecue sauce or basil walnut pesto).
• For Easier Clean Up: To make cleaning up easier, place a piece of aluminum foil below the air fryer basket, so the melted chicken fat gets collected in the foil and can easily be thrown away.

Recipe FAQs:

Side Dishes to Accompany Chicken Quarters:

• Air Fried Potato Wedges (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Crispy Air Fryer Diced Potatoes (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Crispy Hasselback Potatoes (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Air Fryer Green Beans (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
• Crustless Spinach Quiche (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Other Great Chicken Dinner Ideas:

Easy Air Fryer Recipes For the Whole Family