Juicy duck legs cooked in an air fryer served on a rustic wooden platter
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Emma Lawson | 
16.07.2025

Air Fryer Duck Legs Recipe

Indulge in the delectable air fryer duck leg, a dish that promises crispy skin and juicy meat. This air fried duck legs easy recipe ensures a delightful experience, offering the best way to cook duck in an air fryer. Seasoned with sea salt and cooked to perfection with the skin side down, the result is an irresistible crispy duck leg air fryer creation. Ideal for a joyous dinner, these duck legs are not only simple to prepare but also a testament to the wonders of air frying.
Prep Time
10m
Cook
30m
Total Time
40m
Yield
serves 4
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Main Course
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Lamb

What You’ll Need for Air Fryer Duck Legs

Essential Ingredients for Delicious Air Fryer Duck Legs

  • 4 duck legs
  • 1 tbsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Fresh Thyme

Adding fresh thyme enhances the duck's aroma. Simply sprinkle over duck before cooking to infuse herbal notes into the air fryer duck legs recipe.

Benefits of Using Fresh Sea Salt

Using fresh sea salt is essential for this air fryer duck legs recipe. It not only enhances the taste but also helps create a crispy texture. Unlike regular salt, sea salt retains moisture, seasoning the duck uniformly as it cooks. This technique ensures the skin is perfectly seasoned and cooked to a sublime, crispy finish, making your air fryer duck leg truly irresistible.

Steps to Cook Duck Legs in Air Fryer

Cooking duck legs in an air fryer is simple and yields premium results.

  1. Pat the duck legs dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C.
  3. Place duck legs skin side down in the air fryer basket and drizzle olive oil.
  4. Cook for 20 minutes, flip them over and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

Avoid Overcooking

For perfectly cooked duck legs in an air fryer, monitor the internal temperature and ensure it doesn't exceed 75°C to avoid dryness.
Close-up of air fryer duck legs with crispy skin

Nutrition for Air Fryer Duck Leg

Calories: 320 | Protein: 25g | Carbs: 12g | Fat: 18g

Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Duck Leg

Pair your air fryer duck leg with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a well-rounded meal. Duck pairs beautifully with sweet and tangy flavours; consider a plum sauce or cranberry relish for dipping. For a complete dining experience, serve with mashed potatoes or buttered new potatoes, making the most of the rendered duck fat for additional flavour.

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Duck Leg

This air fryer duck legs recipe brings elegant dining to your table with ease and flair. At airfryerrecipe.co.uk, we ensure each recipe is curated for simplicity and taste, so you can recreate restaurant-style duck legs at home. Enjoy the rich flavours and crispy skin, enhanced by simple ingredients and expert tips. Visit airfryerrecipe.co.uk for more inspired ideas to elevate your air fryer cooking adventures, making every meal special.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Air Fryer Duck Leg

How do I get crispy skin on duck legs in the air fryer?

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To achieve crispy skin, ensure the duck legs are dry and place them skin side down in the air fryer. Cooking at high heat helps render duck fat, enhancing the crispiness.
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Can I season air fryer duck legs before cooking?

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Absolutely, season duck legs generously with sea salt and any preferred spices to infuse flavour into the meat while cooking.
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What temperature should duck legs be cooked to in an air fryer?

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The best way to cook duck in an air fryer is to aim for an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for perfect doneness.
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Should I rest the duck legs after air frying them?

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Yes, resting the duck legs for a few minutes before serving allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and delicious meat.
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