These Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks are the best thing I have made in my new air fryer so far. They are perfectly seasoned, have a nice crispy skin, and are extremely juicy on the inside.
A favorite for crispy skin lovers
Chicken drumsticks are always a hit at my house. We love the crispy chicken skin, and I love that they’re relatively cheap compared to chicken breasts or even chicken thighs. The main drawback with drumsticks is that they take a long time in the oven to get nice and crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. That is why I was so excited to make them in my new air fryer, and it delivered! The perfect air fryer recipe candidate.
Why chicken drumsticks in the air fryer are THE BEST
Air frying is the ideal cooking method for chicken drumsticks for several reasons.
- The intense heat makes the skin crispy and the meat juicy.
- The convection air flow helps to crisp up the skin even more.
- The compact size of the air fryer saves energy and speeds up cooking and preheating time.
- The grease stays nicely contained inside the air fryer allowing for easy cleanup instead of filling your oven with grease. (Which is also why I love cooking bacon in the air fryer.)
Why you’ll love these Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
If you’re a fan of crispy and juicy chicken, I think you’ll love this drumstick recipe. It checks all the boxes, perfect for any night of the week. Air fryer chicken legs and thighs are also great for the same reasons.
- Minimal prep time and effort
- Minimal cooking time
- Super flavorful crispy crust
- The juiciest meat ever
What you’ll need to make this recipe
Equipment
- Air fryer - although you can make these in a regular oven too. See recipe notes.
- Paper or plastic bag, to shake the drumsticks in the seasoning
- Tongs - to flip and remove the chicken drumsticks from the air fryer
Ingredients
- Chicken drumsticks - you can also use legs or thighs, but the cooking time may vary.
- Spice mix - a combination of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, sugar, salt, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, and ground coriander.
- Corn starch - you can also use potato or tapioca starch if you prefer.
- Avocado oil spray - or your favorite sprayable oil of choice. This helps to ensure your drumsticks get a light, even coating of oil.
How to make this Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks recipe
The process is simple and requires minimal cleanup. Just the way we like it.
- Prepare the spice mix by combining all ingredients in a jar. You will have more than enough for this batch, and it will last indefinitely so you can store it for another day.
- Combine 1 Tbsp of the spice mix with 1 Tbsp of corn starch in a bag. I like using a paper bag because it’s easy to toss the drumsticks around without them sticking to a plastic bag.
- Add the drumsticks to the bag and toss until they are completely coated with the spices and corn starch.
- Preheat the air fryer. When hot, spray the inside of the air fryer with avocado oil. Add the chicken drumsticks ensuring there is space between each one for the hot air to circulate. Spray the chicken with avocado oil, then insert the air fryer basket.
- Allow the drumsticks to cook for 22 minutes, flipping them over halfway through the cooking process.
- The drumsticks should be crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and ready to enjoy.
Recipe variations
- If you prefer a sweeter crust, add an extra tablespoon of sugar to the spice mix. Or, drizzle the cooked drumsticks with some honey. YUM.
- For a herbier flavor, add a teaspoon of dried thyme to the spice mix.
- For a thicker crust, dry the drumsticks well, then dredge them in beaten egg before tossing them in the corn starch and spice mix.
- For a spicy kick, double the amount of cayenne pepper in the spice mix and add 1 teaspoon of chili powder. You can also brush with hot sauce after cooking for extra heat.
*Hot tip: For a vegetarian option, this corn starch spice mix combo also works great on tofu!
Pro tips for perfect Air Fryer Drumsticks
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket - leave space between each drumstick for proper air circulation.
- Let the drumsticks rest for 5 minutes after cooking to help retain their juices (and avoid burning yourself!)
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Serving suggestions
These air fryer chicken drumsticks pair perfectly with:
- Homemade ranch, blue cheese, or yogurt dill dip
- Classic coleslaw, garden salad, or Kale Caesar Salad
- Fries, roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes
Frequently asked questions
A lot of recipes say to cook chicken drumsticks for 15-20 minutes, but I find that cooking dark meat for a little bit longer makes it juicier, as it allows more time for the fat to render. I recommend 22 minutes for average-sized chicken drumsticks.
Yes, you can cook frozen chicken drumsticks in an air fryer, but you'll need to adjust the cooking time and temperature. When cooking from frozen, add an extra 5-7 minutes to the cooking time (about 27-29 minutes total). It's important to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the drumstick.
For best results, I recommend thawing your chicken drumsticks before cooking. This allows the seasoning to stick better to the meat and ensures more even cooking. However, cooking from frozen is a great option when you're short on time!
Store leftover drumsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Once chilled, I generally prefer eating them cold instead of reheating them. But if you prefer reheating, place them back in the air fryer at 370°F for 3-4 minutes until heated through and crispy again.
Still hungry?
Try these chicken recipes next.
- Cast Iron Buffalo Chicken Thighs
- Rice Cooker Chicken and Corn
- Oven Braised Chicken Thighs with Lemons and Capers
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer
Ingredients
Spice Mix
- 1 tablespoons salt
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoons ground coriander
For the chicken
- 6 chicken drumsticks
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil spray 2 x 3 second sprays
Instructions
- Prepare the spice mix by combining all ingredients in a jar. You will have more than enough for this batch, and it will last indefinitely so you can store it for another day.
- Combine 1 Tbsp of the spice mix with 1 Tbsp of corn starch in a bag. I like using a paper bag because it’s easy to toss the drumsticks around without them sticking to a plastic bag.
- Add the drumsticks to the bag and toss until they are completely coated with the spices and corn starch.
- Preheat the air fryer. When hot, spray the inside of the air fryer with avocado oil. Add the chicken drumsticks ensuring there is space between each one for the hot air to circulate. Spray the chicken with avocado oil, then insert the air fryer basket.
- Allow the drumsticks to cook for 22 minutes, flipping them over halfway through the cooking process.
- The drumsticks should be crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and ready to enjoy.
Notes
- If you want to make these drumsticks in the oven, preheat the oven to 450F and spread the drumsticks out on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 35-45 minutes until crispy.
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