Buffalo Ranch Chicken Legs (Air Fryer and Oven Method)

The ingredient list for making Buffalo Ranch Chicken Legs:

*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.

Ingredient information:

CHICKEN LEGS - Many times you can find chicken legs on sale, and when that happens, buy extra, wrap them well, and store them in the freezer. Uncooked chicken legs may be kept in the freezer for up to 9 months. Feel free to purchase the kind of chicken legs you prefer but the best for your healthy are from organic, pasture-raised chickens.

BUTTERMILK (or buttermilk alternative) - For best flavor and most tender chicken legs, marinating them in buttermilk (or homemade buttermilk alternative of 3 cups milk, plus 2-3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar) for at least 30 minutes before coating the legs in the dry ranch seasoning.

DRY RANCH SEASONING - You can either use the packets (2 each) or the jar of dry ranch seasoning. I used the jar. Since the chicken legs are already wet from the buttermilk marinade, you'll require plenty of seasoning (approximately ¼ cup) to properly season and coat the all the legs.

BUTTER - I use salted butter, always. Melt it in the microwave or in a saucepan and then whisk in as much hot sauce as you like. Brush the butter and hot sauce mixture over the chicken legs after they come out of the oven before serving.

HOT SAUCE - Use your favorite variety and whatever amount suits your tastes and preferences. I used approximately 2 teaspoons per 6 tablespoons of melted butter, but if you like things hotter and spicier, feel free to add more.

Necessary kitchen tools and equipment:

• baking sheet fitted with a rack
• gallon-sized zip top bag
• pastry brush (for brushing melted butter/hot sauce)
• chef's knife (optional for carrots and celery)
• cutting board (optional for carrots and celery)
• measuring cups and spoons
• non-stick cooking spray
• tongs
• microwave-safe glass bowl
• instant-read thermometer
• kitchen timer (optional)
• oven gloves

What's better? Buttermilk or buttermilk alternative?

It depends on if you regularly keep buttermilk in your refrigerator. If you do, by all means, use it.

However, if you don't, using a quick homemade buttermilk alternative of milk mixed with an acid of either vinegar or lemon juice will be an adequate replacement, and no one will be the wiser.

Plus, it's much more convenient to whip up an easy buttermilk alternative instead of running to the grocery store.

What part does the buttermilk play in this recipe?

The acidic nature of buttermilk (or the homemade alternative) helps tenderize and flavor the chicken.

The liquid component will also help the dry ranch seasoning adhere to the meat.

Best of all, vinegar is extremely important to your overall health and well-being as it helps reduce your body's blood sugar spikes.

The health benefits of vinegar

It may seem somewhat random to talk about this subject in a recipe post for chicken legs, but I've been doing a lot of research of late regarding the benefits of vinegar on the body and its effective way to help manage blood sugar spikes and keep glucose levels steady.

And since my homemade buttermilk alternative hack uses vinegar (you'll see it in my video), I thought it would be a great time to point out the benefits of adding vinegar to your daily lifestyle.

The more you understand your blood glucose levels (even if you don't have type 1 or type 2 diabetes), the better your overall mental and physical health will be.

Why serve chicken legs instead of wings as an appetizer?

Two words...more meat!

Sure, wings are great, and everyone enjoys them, but wouldn't you appreciate having more meat on those bones rather than fiddling with the tiny, messy, meager meat that tiny wings provide? Especially if 'said legs' still have the same great flavor and crunch you've come to expect from your favorite chicken wings?

Of course, you would!

Can Buffalo Ranch seasoning also be used for other parts of the chicken?

You bet.

Feel free to use it on chicken thighs, breasts, and wings. Yes, wings!

You can use it for bone-in, skin-on chicken (like legs and wings) or boneless, skinless thighs and breasts. The choice is yours, but I suggest serving drumsticks as an appetizer as they're easier to eat one-handed.

Need other saucy suggestions?

Not a fan of blue cheese? No worries.

What about a ranch on ranch situation? Or a delicious creamy garlic dip? Or dipping into your favorite BBQ sauce is what you'd love. There are no right or wrong answers here. Take a dunk with whatever you love, or do it naked. I promise not to look. lol

Can the butter/hot sauce be omitted?

It can, but since those ingredients and flavors are typical for iconic Buffalo chicken wings, brushing the baked wings with butter and hot sauce makes it an integral part of these yummy drumstick appetizers.

Can these chicken wing alternatives be cooked in a regular oven?

Yes, they can.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) and place the ranch-seasoned legs onto a baking sheet fitted with a rack. Bake in the oven until the internal temperature of the legs reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit on an instant-read thermometer. Remove the legs from the oven, brush them with butter and hot sauce mixture, and return them to the oven to continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees Fahrenheit.

What purpose does the rack serve when cooking chicken legs?

The rack allows complete airflow to surround the legs, making them crispy, top to bottom.

Yes, you can make these chicken drumsticks without a rack, but they'll likely be soggy on the bottom, and nobody likes a soggy bottom chicken.

Standard air fryers come with a cooking rack, so use it when cooking these Buffalo Ranch Drumsticks in the air fryer to ensure perfectly cooked and crispy legs, top to bottom.

How important is it to preheat the air fryer or oven?

It is essential to have the recipe turn out within the cooking time specified in the recipe card.

Make sure to preheat a standard oven for at least 15 minutes before baking or roasting, and preheat an air fryer for at least 5-7 minutes before adding food.

Proper internal cooking temperature for chicken:

Can buffalo ranch chicken legs be served at room temperature?

They sure can. I don't recommend leaving them out of the refrigerator for more than 3-4 hours, but during that 3 to 4-hour window, they're perfectly delicious and safe to eat at room temperature.

How do you package chicken legs for travel or a picnic?

If the cooked buffalo ranch chicken legs won't be consumed within 3 to 4 hours, I recommend packaging them into airtight containers (or large zip-top bags) and transporting them in a cooler with ice.

Can these chicken legs be frozen after cooking?

They sure can!

Package them well in an airtight freezer container or bag and freeze them for up to 6 months. 

My top tips for flavorful, crunchy chicken legs:

1. Cook the legs on a rack for even and all-around air circulation.
2. Don't skip the buttermilk marinade!
3. Check for proper doneness with an instant-read thermometer.

Make it a complete meal:

My copycat Sunflower Crunch Kale and Cabbage Salad has always been a very popular chilled side dish when it comes to picnics and backyard BBQ's. Everyone always loves this healthy, colorful, and crunchy salad.

Golden Dijon Potato Salad features the brightness of Dijon mustard, the rich creaminess of mayonnaise, the crunch of fresh celery, and perfectly cooked golden potatoes and hard cooked eggs.

Dessert calls for everyone's favorite, Vintage Rocks Cookies. They're just like grandma used to make, only better! Sorry Grandma!

Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!

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Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!