Crispy and juicy air fryer frog legs are easy to make with only a handful of simple ingredients. This recipe does not use oil or breading, and instead the legs are coated in a combination of softened butter and vibrant Cajun seasonings. The result is a healthier yet boldly flavorful dish that is great to enjoy any night of the week!
Frog legs are a popular lean protein that people love to eat all around the world. They are easy to prepare any number of ways, and terrific to serve as a delicacy or as a simple and rustic dish. And they happen to be a healthy meat rich with vitamins and minerals!
This air fryer frog legs recipe is made with a winning method that practically guarantees juicy, tender legs every time! The frog legs soak in milk for one hour for the most crispy skin and juiciest meat possible.
Then coat the legs with a simple butter and Cajun seasoning blend, and air fry for less than 15 minutes. That is it! Here is a perfect recipe to make for a nearly effortless weeknight or weekend meal.
Best of all, air fried frog legs are unbelievably flavorful and crunchy without any breading! The recipe also does not require any additional cooking oil. It is therefore a healthier alternative to deep fried frog legs or oven baked legs that are battered and breaded.
Enjoy delicious frog legs cooked in the air fryer as an appetizer, snack, or main dish with your favorite dipping sauces and sides. Any way you serve these crisp legs they are sure to be a real crowd pleaser!
How to make air fryer frog legs
Prepare fresh or thawed frog legs. If legs are frozen, defrost them in the fridge overnight or on the counter for a few hours. Pat them dry with paper towels and set aside.
Take softened butter and mix with spices. I used garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, salt and pepper. Rub the mixture all over frog legs and place them in your air fryer. Cooking directions are in the recipe card below.
Frog legs will be very tender, juicy and buttery. Do not overcook legs or they will become dry and chewy.
Recipe ingredients
Frog legs. Fresh or thawed, and cleaned.
Milk. Your choice of whole or 2% milk. Air fryer frog legs are soaked in milk to draw out any impurities and tenderize the meat. You discard the milk after soaking the legs.
Butter. Unsalted is best. Soften the butter before you start to cook.
Salt and pepper. Classic cooking spices.
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Garlic powder. Or fresh garlic cloves, minced.
Cajun seasoning. A spicy blend that typically consists of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, and oregano.
What do they taste like
The taste of a frog leg is somewhere between chicken and a firm white fish, like cod or catfish. It is pleasantly mild, and great to pair with bold spices. The Cajun seasoning and butter combination gives the air fryer frog legs a delicious, buttery rich and savory flavor.
Where can I buy frog legs
Purchase frozen from your local specialty grocery store, or from an online seafood market. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight prior to cooking. To learn how to cook frog legs in air fryer is easy!
Frequently asked questions
Yes they are! Like chicken, frogs legs are high in protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Additionally they are a good source of potassium and vitamin A.
Store bought frog legs are safe to eat, and are no more likely to get you sick than other meat. However, like all raw meat you need to thoughtfully handle to avoid any potential contamination situations. Take care to properly store, thaw, clean, and thoroughly cook air fryer frog legs to prevent sickness.
The acid in the milk helps to gently tenderize the leg meat. This results in the most tasty, tender, and juicy air fried frog legs.
They only require approximately 13 minutes to air fry golden and crispy.
Cut into an air fried frog leg and check that the meat is firm and dark. There should be no blood, and the meat around the bone should be juicy. It will look similar to a fried chicken leg. To be extra sure you can test with a meat thermometer; the internal temperature ought to be about 145 degrees.
Side dishes
I usually serve frog legs as an appetizer and just chop some veggies like cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes on the side. If making a main dish out of frog legs try to serve them with rice, roasted potatoes or any other vegetables. Corn on the cob will be great or zucchinis.
Leftovers
Store air fryer frog legs in the fridge in the air tight container for up to 5 days. I don't recommend to store it any longer. Reheat in the microwave
More air fryer recipes
- Air fryer scrapple
- Air fryer liver
- Air fryer carne asada
- Air fryer crab sticks
- Air fryer frozen sausage
- Air fryer frozen tilapia
- Air fryer bbq chicken thighs
- Air fryer chicken hearts
- Air fryer grouper
Hope you will like this air fryer frogs recipe as much as we did. Please rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions. Or just want to talk!
How to Cook Frog Legs in Air Fryer
Crispy and juicy air fryer frog legs are easy to make with only a handful of simple ingredients. This recipe does not use oil or breading, and instead the legs are coated in a combination of softened butter and vibrant Cajun seasonings. The result is a healthier yet boldly flavorful dish that is great to enjoy any night of the week!
Ingredients
- 1 lb frog legs
- 1 cup milk
- ½ stick butter, soft
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 2 garlic cloves, minced)
- 2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
Instructions
- Soak frog legs in milk for one hour.
- Meanwhile stir soft butter with seasonings.
- Pat dry frog legs with paper towels. Cover them completely with the butter mixture and place in the air fryer.
- Cook in air fryer for 10 minutes at 360 degrees. Than cook for additional 3 minutes at 400 degrees.
Notes
- Do not overcook or they will become dry and chewy.
- Make sure that the internal temperature of cooked frog legs is at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Soaking in milk is optional.
- Add more spices to taste after legs are cooked.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 439Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 184mgSodium: 1984mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 42g
Amy
This is a great recipe for air fried frog legs, and I will definitely use it again. I soaked the legs in milk from frozen for a few days, and the legs took on the sweetness of the milk, giving them a more frablike flavor. I will add some salt to the milk and follow the same process next time. Thank you for a no-fail recipe-the cooking time was spot on!
Tatiana
Thank you so much for trying my recipe and for useful tips