Oven Baked Drumsticks Recipe (Hot Honey)

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Oven-baked drumsticks rubbed with smoky paprika, garlic, and black pepper, then glazed in thick, golden hot honey and roasted until crackling. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or party snack that disappears fast. Bake hot and fast, flip once, glaze generously, and boom — spicy, sticky chicken legs with a serious kick.

Eight crispy, golden-brown roasted chicken drumsticks are arranged on a sheet of white parchment paper. The chicken is seasoned with spices, and some juices glisten on the surface, enhancing their appetizing appearance.

Chicken drumsticks are naturally rich in protein and full of flavor without needing heavy sauces or frying. Baking them in the oven cuts down on extra oil and keeps the calories in check. I love making these because they’re so easy to toss together, and I can feel good serving them with simple sides like roasted veggies or green beans. Plus, leftover drumsticks make an great quick lunch straight from the fridge!

Contents hide

1 ❤️ Why you will love this recipe

2 🗝️ Key ingredients & substitutions

3 🥣 How to make oven baked drumsticks

4 🪄 Recipe notes & tips

5 🫙 Storage instructions

6 ✨ Variations

7 🍽️ What to serve with oven baked drumsticks

8 ❓ Frequently asked questions

9 😋 More crowd-pleasing chicken recipes to try

10 📖 Recipe

❤️ Why you will love this recipe

Straightforward: No long marinating or complicated steps – just season, bake, and glaze.
Well-balanced flavor: Smoky spices and hot honey bring the right mix of sweet and heat.
Versatile: Perfect for weeknight dinners and scales up easily for a crowd.
Oven-crisped skin: Great texture without the hassle of frying.
Great leftovers: Holds up well cold or reheated.
Make it your own: Easy to tweak with different sauces or spice blends.

🗝️ Key ingredients & substitutions

A bowl filled with raw chicken drumsticks. Next to it, a small bowl contains garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Text overlay lists "Chicken Legs/Drumsticks" and the seasonings.

Two bowls with labeled ingredients on a wooden surface. The top bowl with hot sauce and garlic powder, and the bottom bowl contains honey.

Chicken drumsticks: Bone-in and skin-on gives the best texture. You can also use thighs or whole legs, just adjust the cook time.
Garlic powder: Used in both the rub and the glaze, it clings well and adds that savory backbone.
Smoked paprika: Brings warmth and a subtle smoky flavor. Sweet paprika is a good alternative if you prefer a gentler taste.
Black pepper: Adds bite and balances the sweetness. Freshly cracked is ideal.
Salt: Sea salt or kosher salt both work – season generously.
Honey: Forms the base of the glaze, giving it body and sweetness.
Hot sauce: Use your favorite to control the heat. Milder options keep it tame, spicier ones bring more fire.

🥣 How to make oven baked drumsticks

Dry the chicken: Start by patting the drumsticks dry with paper towels. This removes excess moisture, which helps the seasoning stick and gives you crispier skin in the oven.
Mix the spices: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. This simple blend builds the bold base flavor for the chicken.

A hand with blue and purple painted nails uses a paper towel to pat dry raw chicken pieces in a white bowl.

A white bowl containing a blend of ground spices arranged in a circular pattern. The bowl is placed on a colorful fabric background.

Season the drumsticks: Sprinkle the seasoning blend evenly over the chicken. Don’t be shy – make sure every piece gets a generous coat.
Toss to coat: Use a spoon or your hands to rub the seasoning into the drumsticks until they’re evenly covered.

A white bowl contains eight uncooked chicken drumsticks seasoned with spices. The bowl rests on a colorful, floral-patterned tablecloth.

A white bowl containing several raw chicken drumsticks seasoned with spices. A wooden spoon rests beside the drumsticks. The bowl is placed on a colorful floral-patterned tablecloth.

Arrange on a tray: Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil, then spread the seasoned drumsticks out in a single layer. Give them some breathing room so they roast instead of steam.
Bake: Pop them in a preheated oven at 392°F (200°C). Bake for 15 minutes, flip the drumsticks, then bake for another 10.

Eight seasoned chicken drumsticks are arranged on a parchment-lined baking tray. The seasoning includes spices that give the chicken a reddish-orange tint. The tray is set against a colorful, patterned background.

A bowl with honey, is on a floral-patterned tablecloth. A hand with painted nails is using a spoon to mix in a sprinkle of garlic powder and hot sauce.

Make the glaze: While the chicken bakes, stir together the honey, hot sauce, and garlic powder in a small bowl. The glaze should be thick and golden.
Glaze and finish: Once baked through, brush the glaze generously over the drumsticks and return to the oven for 2 more minutes to set and caramelize.

Oven baked drumsticks with crispy, golden-brown skin are arranged in a baking dish lined with parchment paper. Juices glisten on the surface, indicating a savory, well-cooked finish.

🪄 Recipe notes & tips

Pat the chicken dry: Removing excess moisture helps the seasoning stick and gives you crispier skin in the oven.
Stick with skin-on cuts: Skin-on chicken drumsticks or whole chicken legs deliver the best texture and flavor.
Use an instant-read thermometer: It’s the easiest way to hit that perfect 165°F without guessing or overcooking.
Rest before serving: Let the drumsticks sit for 5 minutes after baking to lock in juices and improve tenderness.
Add olive oil if needed: If your chicken is on the leaner side, a light drizzle before baking can boost browning and texture.

🫙 Storage instructions

Cool: Let leftovers cool to room temperature before packing them up.
Airtight container: Store in the fridge in a sealed container to keep them fresh.
Shelf life: Leftovers will stay good in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheat: Warm in the oven or air fryer to bring back that crispy skin. Microwaving can make them soggy.

✨ Variations

Switch up the glaze: Swap the hot sauce in the glaze for BBQ sauce or honey mustard for a sweeter, milder twist.
Adjust the heat: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning for a spicier kick, or use a hotter sauce in the glaze.
Try other meats: Pork chops, turkey legs, or even boneless cuts work well with the same glaze and spice rub. Just adjust baking time as needed.
Use maple syrup: Substitute maple syrup for honey, but reduce it slightly first to thicken before glazing.
Experiment with seasoning: Mix things up with Italian seasoning, lemon pepper, or onion powder in the rub.

🍽️ What to serve with oven baked drumsticks

Starches: air fryer roasted potatoes, basmati rice, or a simple microwave baked sweet potato soak up the glaze beautifully.
Veggies: steamed green beans, sautéed veggies, or a crisp salad all work nicely. Or go a little bolder with recipes like keto green bean casserole or a veggie stir fry.
Classic side dish options: mac and cheese, healthy coleslaw, or corn on the cob make it a full plate.
For a lighter meal: go for grilled zucchini, cauliflower rice, or something like cilantro lime rice or air fryer sweet potato toast.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Can I use chicken breasts or thighs instead of drumsticks?

Yes! Chicken thighs are juicy and flavorful, and cook similarly to drumsticks. Chicken breasts are leaner and cook faster, so reduce the baking time slightly to avoid drying them out.

Do I need to cover the drumsticks while baking?

No, leave them uncovered. This helps the skin crisp up and the edges caramelize.

Can I prep the drumsticks ahead of time?

Yes. You can season them earlier in the day, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.

Five golden-brown oven baked chicken drumsticks on a parchment-lined glass baking dish. The drumsticks are seasoned with herbs and spices, with a few oil drips around them.

😋 More crowd-pleasing chicken recipes to try

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