My air fryer chicken drumstick recipe uses a simple seasoning blend to yield the crispiest skin and juicy meat. Best of all, it’s ready in under 15 minutes!
I never tire of using my air fryer, especially when I need a foolproof weeknight dinner on the table, STAT.
That’s where recipes like my air fryer chicken drumsticks come in. They couldn’t be easier to make, yet they have the perfect crackling exterior while the inside remains moist and juicy. Table of Contents
- Why I love this recipe
- Ingredients needed
- How to make air fryer chicken drumsticks
- Arman’s recipe tips
- Storage instructions
- Frequently asked questions
- More air fryer favorites to try
- Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks (Chicken legs) (Recipe Card)
Why I love this recipe
- Quick and easy. The entire recipe takes less than 15 minutes to make.
- Use chicken drumsticks OR legs. You can use either interchangeably.
- Tender and juicy. I use a secret ingredient, guaranteeing that the chicken turns out crispy on the outside and juicy and full of flavor.
- Healthy. Unlike fried chicken drumsticks or legs, these use barely any oil and have a fraction of the calories.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“This is a great recipe. I’ve used it and shared it multiple times. Perfect every time. Thank you!!” – Bonnie
Ingredients needed
- Chicken drumsticks. Also known as chicken legs, choose cuts of chicken with skin for that gorgeous crispy exterior.
- Oil. I used olive oil, but any oil will work.
- Seasonings-.You’ll need smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and brown sugar (or a brown sugar substitute).
- Baking powder. My secret ingredient that guarantees a crispy exterior and juicy middles.
How to make air fryer chicken drumsticks
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F.
Step 2- season the chicken: Take a small bowl, add all the spices and mix them well. Pat dry the chicken drumsticks entirely before tossing them in the spice mixture. Drizzle with the oil.
Step 3- cook in the air fryer: Add a single layer of the chicken drumsticks to the air fryer basket and cook for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through.
No air fryer? No problem!
Easily bake the chicken drumsticks instead of the air fryer.
To make: Preheat the oven to 200C/400F and prepare the chicken as instructed. Line them on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Arman’s recipe tips
- If you use bone-in chicken legs, increase the cooking time by 2-3 minutes.
- Use a meat thermometer and look for an internal temperature of 165F to know when the chicken is fully cooked.
- Cook them in batches. So the air fryer basket doesn’t get overcrowded and the chicken stays crisp.
- Let the chicken rest. For extra juicy chicken, lightly tent the drumsticks in aluminum foil for 5 minutes before serving.
- Sauce it up. Douse the chicken in sugar-free BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or marinade the chicken with my chicken drumstick marinade.
What to serve with this dish
- Stuffed baked potatoes
- Healthy pasta salad
- Japanese potato salad
- 2-ingredient biscuits
- Or any of my side dish recipes
Storage instructions
To store: Leftovers can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
To freeze: Air fryer chicken drumsticks can be frozen in a ziplock bag for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Either microwave them for 20-30 seconds or reheat in the air fryer until crispy.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wash my chicken before cooking it?
It’s not recommended to wash chicken before cooking it because the bacteria in raw meat can transfer to utensils and other food items in the kitchen.
Can you stand drumsticks up in the air fryer?
Yes, you can do this, but if you want the chicken skin to be crisper, it’s recommended to cook it in contact with the hot air fryer basket.
Is it better to air fry or bake chicken?
Both work, but I prefer using the air fryer for convenience, ease, and time. It cooks the chicken quickly and makes it more crispy.
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks (Chicken legs)
5 from 754 votes
These air fryer chicken drumsticks works with chicken legs too, and take less than 14 minutes to cook! A secret ingredient guarantees the chicken is crispy on the outside and extra juicy every single time.
Servings:
Prep:1minute min
Cook:13minutes mins
Total:14minutes mins
Ingredients 1x2x3x
- ▢6 chicken drumsticks
- ▢2 teaspoons baking powder
- ▢1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ▢2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ▢1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢1 teaspoon onion powder
- ▢1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ▢2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F.
- In a small bowl, add the baking powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and brown sugar, and mix well.
- Pat dry the chicken drumsticks. Toss the drumsticks through the spice mix then drizzle the oil all over.
- Place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 minutes, flip, and cook for a further 6-8 minutes, or until cooked and crispy.
- Serve immediately with your favorite sides.
Notes
TO STORE: Leftovers can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
TO FREEZE: Air fryer chicken drumsticks can be frozen in a ziplock bag for up to 3 months.
TO REHEAT: Either microwave them for 20-30 seconds or reheat in the air fryer until crispy.
Nutrition
Serving: 1drumstickCalories: 168kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 14gFat: 12gSodium: 221mgPotassium: 194mgFiber: 1gVitamin A: 210IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 99mgIron: 1mgNET CARBS: 1g
Cuisine: American
