This air fryer duck legs recipe is the easy gourmet dinner shortcut you didn't know you needed in your life. In less than 20 minutes you can make divinely succulent duck fit for date night, the holidays, or any occasion. Make a few easy air fryer sides for a well-rounded meal with little to no effort.
See all the best sides for what to serve with duck.
Jump to:
There’s something about making duck that feels so incredibly sophisticated. This recipe is easy-to-make and a personal favorite of mine for date night or any special occasion. My personal hack to a great dinner.
With a few basic ingredients and minimal prep time, you have a delicious meal in under 30 minutes. Utilizing an air fryer, salt & pepper, and duck legs, you can snap your fingers and have a special dinner in no time.
❤️ Why I Love This Recipe
- Easy. The air fryer does all the work for you. All you have to do is add the duck legs in and set a timer.
- Only 3 Ingredients. This recipe only has 3 ingredients, making it a breeze to throw together.
- Outstanding Flavor. Duck has a rich and delicious flavor similar to red meat.
🥘 Ingredients
All you need is a couple duck legs and some salt and pepper. While we prefer to use kosher salt and cracked black pepper to taste, you can use whatever you have on hand.
- 2 Duck Legs – Rinse your duck legs and pat them dry.
- Kosher Salt – This is optional but highlights the duck’s amazing flavor and helps to draw out moisture.
- Cracked Black Pepper – As much or as little as you like.
Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!
📖 Variations
Duck legs are similar to red meat in texture and taste so seasoning them is optional. Like most red meat, there are a variety of herbs and seasonings you can add that will compliment their flavor.
- Thyme – This herb adds a fresh flavor to the duck.
- Chinese Five Spice – This is a favorite seasoning for duck and adds depth of warm flavor.
- Garlic Powder – In my opinion, you can never have too much garlic and it goes with everything! Pair this with lemon zest to add some citrus, another flavor that belongs with duck!
🔪 How To Air Fry Duck Legs
You will need your handy dandy air fryer and a sharp knife for this recipe and that’s it. It doesn't get any simpler.
- Prep. Start by turning on your air fryer and preheating it to 300°F (150°C). Then, rinse your 2 duck legs in cool water and patting them dry with a paper towel. Use a sharp knife to prick the skin at an angle (but do not pierce the meat- *see note).
- Season. Season your duck legs liberally with the kosher salt and cracked black pepper to taste. Place the duck legs into the air fryer with a bit of space between them so they cook evenly.
- Fry. Cook for 10-12 minutes then increase the temperature to 400°F (205°C) for an additional 5-8 minutes to crisp the skin.
- Rest. Remove them from the air fryer and allow them to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
If you desire a more sophisticated presentation, garnish with a sprig of fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary. I love keeping it elegant, yet simple, by serving on a bed of vermicelli rice with some baked bacon wrapped asparagus. Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- For crispy skin, prick it before cooking! Pricking the skin of the duck (but not the meat) is important to get that crispy skin. It helps the fat render out and not get trapped under the skin making the meat soggy.
- Work in batches if necessary! Standard air fryers can hold 2 duck legs and an XL fryer can hold 3.
- I only made 1 duck leg for myself when testing this recipe because I was cooking a full set of duck legs in the oven for duck confit. I enjoyed it as an easy, delicious snack while I waited for them to cook.😊
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Duck legs can be frozen for up to 3 months. Wrap them in freezer paper or foil and place in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
To reheat leftovers, sprinkle them with a touch of broth or water and wrap them in foil. Place in an air fryer that has been preheated to 350°F (175°C) and cook for 3-5 minutes.
>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<
😋 More Easy Air Fryer Dinners
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Subscribe to the newsletter today (no spam, I promise)! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!
📖 Recipe Card
Air Fryer Duck Legs
Ingredients
- 2 duck legs
- Kosher salt (optional- to taste)
- cracked black pepper (optional -to taste)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Start out with preheating your air fryer to 300°F (150°C) then rinse your duck legs under cool water and pat them dry with paper towels. Use a sharp knife to prick the skin at an angle, being careful not to pierce the meat. (*See note).
- Season liberally with kosher salt and cracked black pepper, if desired. Then place your duck legs into the air fryer basket with space between them so they cook evenly.
- Air fry at 300°F (150°C) for 10-12 minutes, then increase the temperature to 400°F (205°C) to crisp the skin for an additional 5-8 minutes.
- Remove the duck legs from the air fryer and allow them to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Pricking the skin of the duck (but not the meat) is important in getting crispy skin. It gives the rendered fat a way to escape so it is not trapped under the skin, making it soggy.
- Though I only made 1 duck leg when cooking this recipe, most standard air fryers can hold 2 duck legs. An XL air fryer can hold 3. Work in batches if making more.
Joe McGregor says
Loved it
Christopher says
Love this one and I hope to do it again soon
Quinn says
My duck legs took a bit longer but they were massive. Really tasty recipe, thanks!
Ali says
I have a powerful airfryer, and these were nowhere near cooked within the times given. I pretty much had to double the time to get them barely cooked. But once they were done, they were delicious. I had already planned bacon-wrapped asparagus to go with them, even before seeing that recommendation here. It's definitely a great combo! Pro tip is to cook the asparagus in your (now preheated) air fryer while letting the duck legs cool after cooking. Just be sure to pour off and save the duck fat first - it's wonderful for scrambling eggs, or even spreading on toast.
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Yes, the cook time can vary depending on the size of your duck legs. 🙂 Time to weigh my next set to add to the notes! And definitely keep that 'liquid gold' duck fat for my duck fat fried potatoes and more!
Jo says
Never cooked Duck before today and I have a new air fry so why not give it a go. It was amazing, perfectly cooked with crispy skin. I did cook it for 25 mins but that might be because of my low watt air fryer. Thank you,I will definitely make it this way again and again..
Lindsey says
I only needed the air fry instructions, but I put a duck breast with the bone attached and wrapped foil as you said for 5 minutes. The meat was still cold. Just wanted to let you know.
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
I'm not sure if you were looking at how to reheat air fried duck legs, but the cook time for duck legs themselves is 18 minutes (no foil is used during the initial cooking). To cook duck breast in an air fryer would take longer, and it's not mentioned in this recipe? Thanks!
Elizabeth says
Do I need any oil?
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Not at all, the duck fat is what will make your duck legs cook to perfection. Thanks for asking!
Brit says
Hei! Forstår jeg rett at jeg kan varme opp andeconfit i airfryer på 175C i ca 3-5 minutter, men at den bør være pakket inn i folie?
Blir ikke skinnet da mykt?
Hva hvis de er frosne?
Takknemlig for svar.
Mvh Brit
"Hi! Do I understand correctly that I can heat duck confit in the air fryer at 175C for about 3-5 minutes, but that it should be wrapped in foil?
Doesn't the leather then become soft?
What if they are frozen?
Thankful for response.
Etc. Brit"
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Ja, airfryeren er faktisk en av de beste metodene for å varme opp andeconfitten din for å få sprø hud (selv om den er litt fuktig etter oppbevaring). Tin frosne andebein helt før oppvarming. Takk for at du spør!
"Yes, the air fryer is actually one of the best methods of reheating your duck confit to get crispy skin (even if it is slightly moist after storing). Thaw frozen duck legs fully before reheating. Thanks for asking!"
Steve Loring says
Very pleased with the result: moist duck legs with crispy skin. Thanks.
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Awesome! We love crispy duck legs, so glad yours turned out nicely! Thanks for sharing with us!