The Best Crispy Air Fryer Drumsticks

Cooking chicken drumsticks in an air fryer is a fast and easy way to achieve that crispy skin and tender meat without the mess of traditional frying. These Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks turn out perfectly juicy on the inside and beautifully crisp on the outside. It’s a straightforward recipe that delivers big on flavor while keeping things healthier and less greasy. Great for a casual dinner the whole family will love or feeding a hungry crowd quickly!

This air fryer chicken drumsticks recipe uses hot air to crisp the skin and keep the inside tender and juicy, which is similar to frying but with much less oil. I started using this method because I wanted to make healthier meals without giving up on taste. It’s been a game-changer in my kitchen, cutting down on both mess and calories. Plus, the quick cooking time means I can get dinner on the table fast, which is always a win on busy weeknights.

❤️ Why you will love this recipe

• Quick Prep & Cook Time: From start to finish, you’re looking at less than 30 minutes.
• Healthier Option: Enjoy the deep-fried taste without all the oil.
• Perfect Texture: Achieves that desired crispy skin with juicy meat inside.
• Versatile: Easy to spice up or down depending on your taste buds.
• Family-Friendly: Kids love chicken drumsticks. There’s something so fun about picking up your food and taking a bite off of it. You can pretend to be a dinosaur. Or a tiger.
• Fresh or Frozen: You can use either fresh or frozen drumsticks – I’ve included instructions for both. No need to worry about thawing (or forgetting to thaw out) chicken.

🗝️ Key ingredients and substitutions

• Chicken Drumsticks: You could also try chicken thighs, but they may cook a bit quicker.
• Ground Black Pepper: Adds a basic but essential flavor. No real substitute here, it’s a must.
• Smoked Paprika: Gives a nice smoky undertone. If you don’t have it, try a pinch of cayenne for heat or regular paprika for color.
• Garlic Powder: Brings a warm, aromatic flavor. Fresh minced garlic can work too, but use sparingly as it can burn. Onion powder is a good alternative as well.
• Chili Powder: Adds depth and a bit of spice. Swap it with a dash of hot sauce or omit it if you prefer less heat.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors. Sea salt or kosher salt are great options.

🥣 How to make crispy air fryer chicken drumsticks

1. Preheat: Start by heating your air fryer to 200°C (392°F) and let it warm up for about 5 minutes.
2. Dry the Drumsticks: While it’s heating, pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This helps the skin get extra crispy.
3. Season: Toss the drumsticks in a large bowl with ground black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, and salt. Make sure they’re well-coated.

4. Air Fry: Place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip them over and cook for another 10 minutes.
5. Check Temp: Use a meat thermometer to check that they’ve reached an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F). If not, give them a few more minutes.

6. Serve: Once they’re done, let the crispy drumsticks rest for a few minutes before serving to keep them juicy.

Tip: For an extra kick, brush on some BBQ sauce during the last few minutes of cooking for a delicious glaze.

🫙 Storage and reheating instructions

• Cool Completely: Let the drumsticks cool down to room temperature before storing to prevent moisture build-up.
• Refrigerate: Place the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate. They’ll last for up to 4 days.
• Freeze for Later: For longer storage, wrap the drumsticks individually in foil or plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 4 months.
• Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 200°C (400°F) until warmed through. This helps keep the skin crispy. Check out this post for all of my tips and tricks: How to Reheat Chicken Legs in an Air Fryer.

🍽️ What to serve with this recipe

• Vegetable Sides: Pair these air fryer drumsticks with a side of roasted broccoli, sautéed green beans, or a fresh garden salad for a balanced meal.
• Starches: Serve them alongside some fluffy mashed potatoes, a scoop of rice pilaf, french fries, or sweet potato fries for a hearty dinner.
• Dips: Offer a variety of dips like creamy ranch, dairy free ranch, ketchup, garlic mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, spicy buffalo sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce to add extra flavor to every bite.
• Breads: A few slices of garlic bread or a basket of dinner rolls are perfect for rounding out this easy dinner recipe.

❓ Frequently asked questions

😋 More air fryer recipes you will love

• Air Fryer Chicken Legs
• Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (no breading)
• Air Fryer Chicken Breast
• Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs
• Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage

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📖 Recipe

Air Fryer Drumsticks Recipe (Fresh or Frozen)

Bethany Galloway

The ultimate juicy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks recipe is right here! Absolutely packed with flavor, this easy chicken drumsticks recipe takes just minutes to throw together and is so simple. Perfect for Whole30, Paleo, Keto, and Gluten-Free diets.

5 from 19 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 10 drumsticks

Calories 119 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1.1 kg chicken drumsticks about 2.5 lbs
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp chili powder
• 1/2-1 tsp salt

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Instructions

 

Fresh or thawed drumsticks:

• Preheat the Air Fryer to 200°C/392°F, and set the time to 25 minutes, allowing it to heat for 5 minutes.
• Strain the drumsticks in a strainer and pat them dry with a paper towel.
  1.1 kg chicken drumsticks
• Place the drumsticks in a mixing bowl along with the spices and mix them well together.
  1 tsp ground black pepper, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp chili powder, 1/2-1 tsp salt
• After the air fryer has heated for 5 minutes, place the drumsticks in the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes.
• After 10 minutes, remove the air fryer basket from the air fryer and turn the drumsticks with tongs.
• Close the basket and air fry for another 10 minutes.
• Make sure the chicken is cooked through by checking it with a meat thermometer. It should read 75°C/165°F.

Frozen drumsticks:

• Preheat the Air Fryer to 200°C/392°F, and set the time to 35 minutes, allowing it to heat for 5 minutes.
• After the air fryer has heated for 5 minutes, place the drumsticks in the air fryer and cook for 15 minutes.
• After 15 minutes, remove the air fryer basket from the air fryer, and using tongs place the drumsticks in a mixing bowl along with the spices. Mix them well together with a wooden spoon.
  1.1 kg chicken drumsticks, 1 tsp ground black pepper, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp chili powder, 1/2-1 tsp salt
• Place the drumsticks back in the basket with tongs and air fry for another 15 minutes.
• Make sure the chicken is cooked through by checking it with a meat thermometer. It should read 75°C/165°F.

Notes

• Don’t Overcrowd: Cooking in a single layer is key. If your air fryer is smaller, you might need to cook in batches.
• Temperature Check: Always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken is safely cooked.
• Shake or Turn: Flipping the drumsticks halfway through cooking ensures they get evenly crispy.
• Let Rest: Allowing the chicken to rest for a few minutes after cooking helps keep the juices locked in, making each bite extra tasty.

Storage and reheating instructions

• • Refrigerate: Place the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate. They’ll last for up to 4 days.

• • Cool Completely: Let the drumsticks cool down to room temperature before storing to prevent moisture build-up.

• • Freeze for Later: For longer storage, wrap the drumsticks individually in foil or plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 4 months.

• • Reheating: Reheat in the air fryer at 200°C (400°F) until warmed through. This helps keep the skin crispy. Check out this post for all of my tips and tricks: How to Reheat Chicken Legs in an Air Fryer.

Nutrition

Calories: 119kcalCarbohydrates: 0.4gProtein: 13gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 194mgPotassium: 172mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.02gVitamin A: 99IUVitamin C: 0.003mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 1mg

Keyword air fryer drumsticks, chicken drumsticks in the air fryer

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