• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Wow Easy Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Chicken
  • Air Fryer
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
Chicken drumsticks, with text: Maple Mustard Chicken Legs.
Plate of chicken with text: Maple Mustard Chicken Legs.
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Chicken
  • Air Fryer
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
Chicken drumsticks, with text: Maple Mustard Chicken Legs.
Plate of chicken with text: Maple Mustard Chicken Legs.
×
  • Sliced roasted turkey thigh with gravy.
    Easy Roasted Turkey Thighs For Two
  • Table of Halloween decorated foods.
    Halloween Dinner Ideas
  • Baked Halloween pizza monsters, with pizza sauce spilling out of the 'mouth' and mozzarella and olive eyes.
    Mini Halloween Pizza Monsters
  • Bowl of seafood soup on a table.
    Seafood Soup
  • Shredded spiced Mexican pork (carnitas) in pot with two forks.
    Pork Carnitas
  • Close up of a plate of fried birria tacos.
    Quesabirria Tacos
  • Looking down at a dish of mango black bean salad.
    Mango Black Bean Salad
  • Close up of an Oreo filled with green frosting and dotted around the edge with candy eyes.
    Halloween Oreo Monsters
  • Rows of toast with guacamole plus sliced black olives arranged to look like Halloween Frankensteins.
    Frankenstein Halloween Toast
  • Taking a forkful of the fried apple grape salad out of the bowl.
    Fried Apple Salad with Walnuts and Grapes
  • Plate of spicy chicken wings.
    Spicy Chicken Recipes
  • Place with slices of roasted rolled lamb breast.
    Roasted Rolled Lamb Breast
Home » Recipes » Chicken

Maple Mustard Chicken Legs

Published: Dec 22, 2022 · Modified: Mar 30, 2023 by Kate

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Chicken drumsticks, with text: Maple Mustard Chicken Legs.
Plate of chicken with text: Maple Mustard Chicken Legs.

This Maple Mustard Chicken Legs recipe is so easy to make and tastes incredible! The sweet maple syrup balances perfectly with the strong mustard, making the perfect marinade for drumsticks! Air fryer or oven baked.

Close up of maple mustard chicken legs on a plate.
Maple Mustard Chicken Legs.

You're going to love this Maple Mustard Chicken Legs recipe!

It is so easy to make (in the air fryer or oven baked) and tastes incredible!

This dish is always a huge hit at my house. It's sweet from the maple syrup, yet strong from the mustard, giving a bold flavor that's perfect on the chicken drumsticks.

All you have to do is mix the maple mustard sauce, spread it over the chicken legs, then roast them in the oven or cook them in your air fryer.

So quick and easy!

I love making a big ol' batch and bringing them to a potluck or game day party. They're so tasty, everyone loves the flavors and they're even good cold the next day at a picnic!

If you love chicken, you'll also love Basil Pesto Chicken, Buffalo Bacon Wrapped Chicken Wings, Marry Me Chicken, or Chicken Pesto Pasta!

Jump to:
  • Why This Recipe Works
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Variations
  • Recipe Tips
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments
Side view of a dish of roasted chicken legs.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Maple Mustard Chicken Legs are super easy to make and have an incredible flavor.
  • You can make this recipe in the air fryer or oven baked (both methods below).
  • This recipe is a family-pleaser.
  • Perfect for a weeknight dinner, potluck or game day.
  • You can use your favorite type of mustard: stone ground, Dijon, yellow etc...
Chicken legs, mustard, maple syrup, oil and seasonings on a table.

Ingredients

  • Chicken Legs: also known as drumsticks. If using frozen, thaw them safely first in a container in the fridge overnight. You can find chicken legs fresh or frozen in the meat or frozen section of the grocery store.
  • Oil: Use olive oil, canola oil, or your favorite cooking oil.
  • Maple Syrup: This adds sweetness to balance the marinade and caramelizes on the chicken legs.
  • Mustard: I used whole grain, but Dijon, yellow, English and German all work too.
  • Smoked Paprika: Adds a rich, smokey flavor.
  • Dried Italian Herbs: For even more great flavor on your chicken legs.
  • Salt: To season the chicken and bring out all the flavors.

See the recipe card for the full method and quantities.

Instructions

If you're wondering how to make this maple mustard chicken legs recipe, don't worry, it's easy!

Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.

Bowl of chicken legs with seasonings added.

Pat the drumsticks dry with a paper towel and add the legs to a large bowl.

Add the oil, maple syrup, mustard, paprika, herbs and salt.

Toss the chicken legs in the marinade to coat them. You can then cook them right away, or marinate the chicken by covering the bowl and refrigerating for 30 minutes or up to overnight.

Seasoned chicken legs in a bowl.

To oven bake:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400F. 
  2. Add the seasoned chicken legs to a large rimmed baking dish in a single layer.
  3. Place the tray in the oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the chicken legs are cooked through and the skin is lightly browned and golden.

TIP: To check your chicken legs are done with a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should read 165 degrees F).

Cooking maple mustard chicken legs in an air fryer.

To air fry:

  1. Place the chicken legs into the basket of the air fryer (cook in batches if the basket is small).
  2. Cook at 380F (190C) for 10 minutes, then use tongs to flip the drumsticks and cook for 7-8 more minutes or until they are cooked through.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your maple mustard chicken legs with a variety of side dishes for a full meal. Try them with:

Mashed potato
Air Fryer Potato Wedges
Cheesy Brussels Sprouts
Grilled Broccoli
Salad
Fries

Variations

  • Switch up the type of mustard you use for a totally different flavor. I used whole grain mustard, but you could use yellow, Dijon, German mustard etc...
  • Try swapping the maple syrup for honey.
  • If you like things spicy, add a dash of hot sauce to the marinade.
  • If you have time, try marinading the chicken legs in a covered bowl in the fridge overnight.

Recipe Tips

If you want to make this chicken leg recipe ahead of time, you can marinate the chicken in the seasonings up to a day in advance. Store covered in the fridge until you're ready to cook.

If you want extra crispy skin on your chicken, broil on high for a minute or two at the end of cooking. It will brown quickly so keep an eye on it.

Use a meat thermometer to check if the chicken is cooked through. The safe internal temperature for chicken legs is 165F.

Chicken safety: Wash hands, surfaces, and utensils thoroughly after handling raw chicken. Before serving, ensure the chicken is piping hot and thoroughly cooked, juices run clear and no pink color remains.

A plate of cooked maple mustard chicken legs.

Be sure to subscribe to my free Newsletter and follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for more tasty recipes!

📖 Recipe

A plate of baked chicken legs.

Maple Mustard Chicken Legs

Kate | Wow Easy Recipes
In this Maple Mustard Chicken Legs recipe, the maple syrup balances perfectly with the strong mustard. Air fryer or oven baked.
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 375 kcal

Equipment

  • bowl
  • air fryer or oven
  • baking sheet

Ingredients
  

  • 8 chicken legs (drumsticks)
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons mustard (I used whole grain, but Dijon or yellow work well too)
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Pat the drumsticks dry with a paper towel and add the legs to a large bowl.
  • Add the oil, maple syrup, mustard, paprika, herbs and salt. Toss the chicken legs in the seasonings to cover.
  • TIP: You can then cook them right away, or marinate the chicken by covering the bowl and refrigerating for 30 minutes or up to overnight.

To oven bake:

  • Preheat the oven to 400F.
  • Add the seasoned chicken legs to a large rimmed baking dish in a single layer.
  • Place the tray in the oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the chicken legs are cooked through and the skin is lightly browned and golden.
  • To check they are done with a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should read 165 degrees F).

To air fry:

  • Place the chicken legs into the basket of the air fryer (cook in batches if the basket is small). Cook at 380F (190C) for 10 minutes, then use tongs to flip the drumsticks and cook for 7-8 more minutes or until they are cooked through (the internal temperature of the drumsticks with a meat thermometer is 165 degrees F).

Nutrition

Calories: 375kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 50gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 234mgSodium: 622mgPotassium: 670mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 580IUVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 2mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

Keyword air fryer chicken legs, chicken legs, maple mustard chicken legs, oven baked chicken legs
Tried this recipe?Head down to the comments and give it a star rating!

More Chicken Recipes

  • Close up of a plate of battered chicken tenders.
    Battered Chicken Tenders
  • Breadsticks in a dish of baked buffalo ranch chicken dip.
    Buffalo Ranch Chicken Dip
  • Close up of chicken patties in a dish.
    Chicken Patties
  • Table with a bowl of grape chicken salad.
    Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad Chick

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 6 votes (2 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Cara

    December 27, 2022 at 3:37 pm

    5 stars
    This was so easy, and delicious! Maple/mustard is one of my favorite flavor combinations, and it was perfect on the chicken legs. Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Stephanie

    December 30, 2022 at 12:43 pm

    5 stars
    I had a neighbor when I was a kid that made a maple mustard marinade for chicken, and I always loved it. I tried to replicate her recipe so many times and couldn't. This is pretty close!

    Reply
  3. Kate

    January 06, 2023 at 12:32 pm

    5 stars
    Made these in my air fryer and they came out great. My kids loved them. Will make again!

    Reply
  4. Tayler

    January 09, 2023 at 3:44 pm

    5 stars
    I made these chicken legs for dinner last night and my whole family loved them. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Chicken drumsticks, with text: Maple Mustard Chicken Legs.
Plate of chicken with text: Maple Mustard Chicken Legs.
Woman pulling tray of food out of the oven.

Hi, I'm Kate! I'm a food blogger and cookbook author from the Pacific Northwest.
Here you'll find fast, budget-friendly recipes that will make the whole family say WOW! 
About Me

Trending Recipes

  • Bowl of garlic butter boiled scallops on a table.
    Garlic Butter Boiled Scallops
  • Pan with salmon in mushroom sauce.
    Salmon with Mushroom Sauce
  • Meringue lollipops on a baking sheet.
    Meringue Lollipops
  • Close up of a dish of copycat Cracker Barrel roast beef covered in gravy.
    Copycat Cracker Barrel Roast Beef

Chicken Recipes

  • Table with a bowl of grape chicken salad.
    Fancy Nancy Chicken Salad Chick
  • A plate of baked chicken legs.
    Maple Mustard Chicken Legs
  • Close up of a plate of copycat Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express copycat.
    Honey Sesame Chicken Panda Express Copycat

Footer

Chicken drumsticks, with text: Maple Mustard Chicken Legs.
Plate of chicken with text: Maple Mustard Chicken Legs.

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign up for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • About Me

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2024 WOW Easy Recipes

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.