Looking for the easiest way to cook duck legs at home? Your air fryer is about to become your new best friend for this rich, flavorful meat.
These duck legs prove that restaurant-quality poultry is just 25 minutes away. The air fryer creates impossibly crispy skin while keeping the meat tender and juicy – no special skills required. We use a simple spice blend and a hint of orange zest to amp up the flavors. Seriously, this recipe has completely changed how we approach cooking duck at home.
🔪 What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- Duck legs (bone-in, skin-on)
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried oregano
- Smoked paprika
- Chinese five-spice
- Olive oil
- Fresh orange zest
Tools
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowl
- Paper towels
- Tongs
- Digital meat thermometer
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Duck
Pat duck legs dry with paper towels.
2. Make the Spice Mix
Combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, smoked paprika, and five spice in a small bowl.
3. Season the Duck
Rub duck legs with olive oil, then coat thoroughly with the spice mix. Sprinkle orange zest over the skin.
4. Preheat the Air Fryer
Set air fryer to 330°F.
5. Cook
Place duck legs skin-side down in the basket. Cook for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until internal temp reaches 165–170°F.
6. Rest and Serve
Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs or orange slices if desired.
💡 Meat Nerd Tips
- Check doneness with a thermometer for perfect results every time.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket—space = crisp skin.
- Try glazing with marmalade for a sweet finish.
🔁 Ingredient Swaps
- No five spice? Skip it or sub with a pinch of cinnamon + clove.
- No orange zest? Try lemon zest or a splash of citrus juice instead.
🍽️ What to Serve With Air-Fried Duck
- Roasted potatoes or winter citrus salad
- Orange-glazed carrots
- Honey-balsamic Brussels sprouts
🧊 Leftovers & Storage
- Fridge: Store in airtight container up to 3 days
- Reheat: In air fryer at 350°F for 4–5 min until skin crisps back up
- Freezer: Freeze cooked/cooled duck in sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in fridge.
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Air Fryer Duck Legs Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 duck legs bone-in, skin-on
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp Chinese five spice
- 1 tsp avocado oil or your favorite cooking oil
- 1/2 orange zested
Instructions
- Pat the duck legs dry using paper towels.
- In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, smoked paprika, and five spice.
- Rub duck legs with olive oil, then coat with the spice mixture. Sprinkle orange zest over the skin.
- Preheat air fryer to 330°F
- Place the duck legs skin-side down in the air fryer basket and cook for 25 minutes.
- Flip the duck legs midway, until the internal temperature reaches 165–170°F.
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs, or serve with a festive glaze or orange slices.
Nutrition
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❓ Recipe FAQs
Yes, but they’ll cook slightly faster. Reduce cook time by 3–5 minutes and check for doneness earlier.
You can skip it or substitute with cinnamon and clove.
It adds a bright citrus note that balances the richness of the duck.
