Try cooking chicken drumsticks in the air fryer for insanely juicy chicken with irresistibly crispy skin! Bonus: they’re ready in under 30 minutes.
Why I’m obsessed with these air fryer drumsticks
I absolutely love this recipe for air fryer drumsticks! The air fryer works magic on the skin, making it unbelievably crispy and crackling, while keeping the meat inside tender and juicy. It’s my go-to method for cooking drumsticks because it’s so quick and hassle-free. Plus, the results are consistently delicious every single time.
What do you need?
Chicken drumsticks
Use skin-on drumsticks as this will give you crispier results, and plan for around 2 chicken legs per serving.
The recipe below uses fresh (thawed) chicken drumsticks. You can also use frozen drumsticks, though the cook time will be longer, and be sure to confirm that the internal temperature has reached the safe temperature of 165°F/74°C or higher before consuming.
Oil
I normally use light olive oil, but any cooking oil with a high smoke point will work. Try avocado oil or vegetable oil.
Seasoning
The recipe below uses a simple homemade seasoning rub of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, salt, and pepper. You can substitute your own seasoning rub recipe, or use a store-bought rub.
How to cook chicken drumsticks in the air fryer
1
Prepare drumsticks.
Pat the chicken legs dry with a paper towel. Mix the seasoning ingredients and oil in a large bowl, then add the drumsticks and toss to ensure each chicken leg is thoroughly coated.
Alternatively, you can add the ingredients to a large ziplock bag as it is easier to ensure each drumstick is well covered in the oil and seasoning.
2
Pop them in the air fryer
Arrange chicken drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer in your air fryer basket, try to make sure they are not touching.
If your air fryer is prone to sticking, try giving the basket a quick spritz with olive oil before adding the food.
3
Air fry.
Air fry the drumsticks for 20-25 minutes, flipping them over halfway through the cooking time, until they are golden brown and cooked through. See below for more on cooking times.
How long to cook chicken drumsticks in the air fryer
When the cooking time is up, check the temperature with a digital meat thermometer – insert it into the thickest part of the largest drumstick. The internal temperature should read at least 165°F / 74°C. Test in a few places to make sure that all the drumsticks are cooked through.
Tips and variations
- For ultra-crispy skin – add 2-3 teaspoons of baking powder to the seasoning mix. The baking powder helps dehydrate the skin, getting it even crispier.
- Marinate – For extra flavorful drumsticks, marinate them over night before cooking instead of using a dry rub.
- Glaze – During the last 5 minutes of cook time, brush your favorite barbecue sauce onto the drumsticks to let the sauce tack up into a glaze.
- Seasoning Ideas – try using Cajun seasoning, taco spice mix, Italian dressing mix, or spice blends like lemon pepper or ranch seasoning.
Storing and reheating
Store any leftover air fryer drumsticks in an air-tight container in the fridge, and use within 3 days.
You can reheat the drumsticks in the air fryer. Place the leftover chicken drumsticks in the air fryer basket and air fry for 5-10 minutes until least 165°F / 74°C in the center.
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 6 chicken drumsticks (approx 1kg/ 2.2lb)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Directions
- Preheat air fryer to 360°F/ 180°C.
- Pat the chicken legs dry with a paper towel.
- Mix the seasoning ingredients and oil in a large shallow bowl, then add the drumsticks and toss to ensure that each chicken leg is thoroughly coated [Note 1].
- Arrange drumsticks in a single layer in your air fryer basket, and ensure they are not touching [Note 2].
- Air fry chicken drumsticks for 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking time [Note 3]. Check the internal temperature to ensure it has reached 165°F / 74°C or higher in the center of the thickest drumstick.
Notes
- Alternatively, you can add the ingredients to a large ziplock bag as it is easier to ensure each drumstick is well covered in the oil and seasoning.
- If food tends to stick to your air fryer, give the basket a quick spritz with olive oil before adding the drumsticks.
- Flipping is recommended even for air fryers that state they do not require food to be flipped, as it helps to keep the chicken juicy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and provided for informational purposes only.
