I make these crispy air fryer chicken drumsticks at least once a week, because are so easy and always a hot with my whole family. All you need is fresh chicken drumsticks, a good seasoning mix, just a little oil and about 30 minutes in your air fryer to get golden, crispy chicken drumsticks every time.
I have tested this recipe multiple times, and this method gives me the best results without the need to marinate the meat, using a lot of oil or breading, or buying some extra ingredients that are not part of my pantry.
My son and I have always loved chicken drumsticks. I often boiled them for a lighter meal when he was smaller or roasted them in the oven before I had an air fryer. But my husband has never been a fan of chicken legs, until I have made him this recipe. After I got the air fryer and experimented with a few different temperatures and seasonings, my husband finally start enjoying chicken legs. I think it means I finally nailed them.
Ingredients
For the ingredient quantities, see the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Chicken drumsticks: I usually buy air-chilled pack of 6 chicken drumsticks, which is a perfect size for our family of 3. If I want to have leftovers, I grab the large family pack.
- Oil: I usually use light extra virgin olive oil for flavor. You can also use avocado oil. It has more neutral taste and higher smoke point.
- Seasoning mix: I used salt, paprika, dried oregano, coriander, cumin, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, brown sugar (optional). You can use other seasonings, but this mix works with almost every type of meat.
- Lemon juice: it adds bright flavor. You can also use lime juice instead.
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
This air fryer chicken drumsticks recipe comes together in a few easy steps.
- Make the seasoning. In a small bowl, mix all dried herbs, spices, salt, and brown sugar.
- Prep the chicken. Pat the chicken drumsticks with a paper towel. This step is important if you want crispy skin.
- Season the drumsticks. Add them to the large bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and a little lemon juice. Rub to coat them evenly. Sprinkle half of the spice mix over the chicken. Flip the drumsticks, add the rest of the seasoning and use your hands to coat them on all sides.
- Preheat the air fryer and arrange the chicken. Preheat your air fryer to 390℉ for 5-7 minutes. Place seasoned chicken legs in the air fryer basket living a little space in between them.
- Air fry. Air fry chicken legs for 10 minutes at 390℉, flip them and air fry for another 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 175℉.
- Rest and serve. Let them cool down for 5 minutes and serve them with your favorite side dish or a sauce.
Pro tips
- Get the skin dry before seasoning. Pat dry the chicken skin with a paper towel, so it crisps up instead of steam.
- Cook to 175℉. Drumsticks are dark meat, so they taste better when cooked to the 175℉ internal temperature, because the collagen melts at higher temperatures.
- Flip them half way through. It helps more fat render near the skin, giving them better and even browning on both sides.
Optional glaze
If you want to make this air fryer chicken drumsticks even more flavorful, try brushing on the glaze during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking. I like sweet BBQ, spicy buffalo sauce or honey mustard. If you go with buffalo sauce, do not forget to try it with my homemade blue cheese dip. The glaze step is optional, but it will make the chicken more versatile and tasty.
What to serve with chicken drumsticks
We really enjoy chicken drumsticks with simple mashed potatoes. They also go well with pasta, rice, buckwheat. Roasted vegetables, such as roasted green beans with carrots, ranch roasted cauliflower, or a simple salad can complete the meal.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
- 1 large bowl
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken drumsticks ($7.98)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil ($0.30)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice ($0.25)
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika ($0.15)
- 1 tablespoon (unpacked) brown sugar, dark or light ($0.05)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt ($0.05)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano ($0.05)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder ($0.05)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder ($0.05)
- ½ teaspoon coriander ($0.05)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper ($0.05)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin ($0.03)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 390°F for 5 minutes. Pat fry chicken drumsticks with a paper towel. 2 pounds chicken drumsticks
- In a small bowl, mix paprika. brown sugar,. salt. dry oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, coriander. black pepper, ground cumin and cayenne pepper. 1 tablespoon sweet paprika, 1 tablespoon (unpacked) brown sugar, dark or light, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder,½ teaspoon coriander , ½ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon ground cumin, ⅛ teaspoon (optional) cayenne pepper.
- Add chicken drumsticks to a large bowl. Drizzle them with oil, and lemon juice. Sprinkle the chicken with the seasoning mix. Toss the chicken so it coats evenly.2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice.
- Place chicken drumsticks in the air fryer basket. I cook 3 chicken drumsticks at a time, because I have a basket style air fryer. Place the rest in the fridge for now. Air fry at 390°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping them half way through the cooking time. The chicken drumsticks are ready when the internal temperature reaches at leas 175°F. Cook the rest of the chicken the same way.
- Let them rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently asked questions
After testing chicken drumsticks at 350℉ , 390℉ and 400℉, I found that air frying them 390℉ gives the best results. At 350℉, the skin was not as crispy and browned. At 400℉ , the skin and seasonings began to burn before the meat was cooked through. At 390℉, the skin turned perfectly crispy, while the meat was well cooked and juicy.
To ensure the chicken skin crisps up, follow these steps: pat dry raw chicken with a paper towel, rub it with oil and seasonings, and do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
Yes, you can cook frozen chicken legs in the air fryer. I cook them the same way i do my air fryer frozen chicken breasts, without thawing. Start by air frying the drumsticks for about 15 minutes with just a little oil and salt, and no seasoning. Once they've thawed, season them with your favorite spices and continue air frying for another 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 175°F.
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