Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

This air fryer chicken drumsticks recipe makes drumsticks that are crispy on the outside, while juicy and tender on the inside. Making them in the air fryer is quick and easy, and can be done in less than 20 minutes. 

Making these drumsticks in the air fryer is not just easy, but the hot air makes them delicious too! Each bite has juicy meat with an exterior crispy skin. Besides being easy to grab and eat on the go, they are also perfect for busy weeknight meals.

Jump to:

• WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE
• INGREDIENTS
• DIRECTIONS
• EXPERT TIPS
• VARIATIONS
• STORING AND REHEATING
• FAQs
• MORE AIR FRYER CHICKEN RECIPES
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE

There is just something about chicken drumsticks that make them a fun meal. They are also a perfect picnic food too. This delicious chicken drumstick recipe is made with just a few simple ingredients and very little prep time, which is why we love making them!

Easy chicken recipes like this one are always good for dinners. You could also try these air fryer lemon pepper chicken thighs, air fryer chicken wings, or these frozen chicken wings in the air fryer! No need to have fresh wings on hand when you can make them straight from the freezer.

If you are looking for even more chicken recipes, then check out this article where we share our favorite top 50 air fryer chicken recipes.

INGREDIENTS

• chicken drumsticks-for a crispier drumstick, leave the skin on
• olive oil
• all purpose flour
• baking powder- or corn starch
• paprika
• onion powder- for slightly different flavor, you can substitute garlic powder
• salt- I prefer to use kosher salt
• black pepper
• optional spices: for an extra spicy drumstick, you can substitute chili powder for onion powder. If you like them hot, use a bit of cayenne pepper.
• Optional Garnish- parsley flakes

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1
First, pat the drumsticks dry with a paper towel, then brush with a light coating of olive oil. Place the drumsticks in a large Ziploc bag.

STEP 2
Next, in a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Shake the bag until the drumsticks are covered with the spice mixture.

STEP 3
Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray, or brush a light coating of olive oil over the basket to prevent the drumsticks from sticking.

STEP 4
Transfer the coated drumsticks from the bag to the air fryer basket, placing them in a single layer, without overlapping or stacking. 

STEP 5
Air fry at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time.

STEP 6
Chicken will be done when it is golden brown and crispy, and when an instant read meat thermometer reaches an internal temperature of 165° degrees.

If you love chicken for dinner, then you should try air fryer orange chicken, air fryer stuffed chicken, air fryer Dorito chicken, or these air fryer frozen chicken potstickers.

EXPERT TIPS

• Leaving chicken drumsticks skin on helps the chicken to become crispy. Skinless chicken will be delicious too, just not as crispy.
• Use an instant read meat thermometer to check for doneness when cooking meat in the air fryer. Because a thermometer can quickly and easily confirm doneness, you can prevent overcooking or having the meat be dry or tough. 
• I make this recipe in my Cosori air fryer and 20 minutes cook time was perfect. Because all air fryers are different, you may need to adjust cooking time by 2-5 minutes.
• If making more than 4-6 drumsticks, prepare the chicken in batches. In order to get the skin crunchy, avoid overlapping or having drumsticks touch in the basket.

VARIATIONS

Chicken drumsticks are easy to grab by the bone and eat as they are, or you can can serve them with your favorite dipping sauces. We like ranch dressing, hot sauce, honey mustard, or even BBQ sauce, for dipping.  

Because this chicken is so crispy, you can easily make them into a snack, appetizer, or side dish, by using smaller pieces like chicken tenders, or slices of chicken breast. 

STORING AND REHEATING

Allow the drumsticks to cool before storing. Once they have cooled to room temperature, place them in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. 

To reheat air-fried chicken drumsticks, return to the air fryer, and air fry at 400 degrees F for 3-5 minutes until heated through, and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. 

You can reheat in the microwave, however, they will lose crispness, so I don't recommend reheating the drumsticks using this method. 

FAQs

MORE AIR FRYER CHICKEN RECIPES

I love making these chicken drumsticks in the air fryer for a fun, fast, and delicious meal! You will love making this for dinner too!

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