Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
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My air fryer chicken drumstick recipe uses a simple seasoning blend to yield the crispiest skin and juicy meat. Best of all, it’s ready in under 15 minutes!
I never tire of using my air fryer, especially when I need a foolproof weeknight dinner on the table, STAT.
That’s where recipes like my air fryer chicken drumsticks come in. They couldn’t be easier to make, yet they have the perfect crackling exterior while the inside remains moist and juicy.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Quick and easy. The entire recipe takes less than 15 minutes to make.
- Use chicken drumsticks OR legs. You can use either interchangeably.
- Tender and juicy. I use a secret ingredient, guaranteeing that the chicken turns out crispy on the outside and juicy and full of flavor.
- Healthy. Unlike fried chicken drumsticks or legs, these use barely any oil and have a fraction of the calories.
Need more chicken air fryer recipes? Try my air fryer chicken thighs, air fryer chicken breast, air fryer chicken tenderloins, and air fryer frozen chicken wings next.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“This is a great recipe. I’ve used it and shared it multiple times. Perfect every time. Thank you!!” – Bonnie
Ingredients needed
- Chicken drumsticks. Also known as chicken legs, choose cuts of chicken with skin for that gorgeous crispy exterior.
- Oil. I used olive oil, but any oil will work.
- Seasonings-.You’ll need smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and brown sugar (or a brown sugar substitute).
- Baking powder. My secret ingredient that guarantees a crispy exterior and juicy middles.
How to make air fryer chicken drumsticks
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F.
Step 2- season the chicken: Take a small bowl, add all the spices and mix them well. Pat dry the chicken drumsticks entirely before tossing them in the spice mixture. Drizzle with the oil.
Step 3- cook in the air fryer: Add a single layer of the chicken drumsticks to the air fryer basket and cook for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through.
No air fryer? No problem!
Easily bake the chicken drumsticks instead of the air fryer.
To make: Preheat the oven to 200C/400F and prepare the chicken as instructed. Line them on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Arman’s recipe tips
- If you use bone-in chicken legs, increase the cooking time by 2-3 minutes.
- Use a meat thermometer and look for an internal temperature of 165F to know when the chicken is fully cooked.
- Cook them in batches. So the air fryer basket doesn’t get overcrowded and the chicken stays crisp.
- Let the chicken rest. For extra juicy chicken, lightly tent the drumsticks in aluminum foil for 5 minutes before serving.
- Sauce it up. Douse the chicken in sugar-free BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or marinade the chicken with my chicken drumstick marinade.
What to serve with this dish
Storage instructions
To store: Leftovers can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
To freeze: Air fryer chicken drumsticks can be frozen in a ziplock bag for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Either microwave them for 20-30 seconds or reheat in the air fryer until crispy.
Frequently asked questions
It’s not recommended to wash chicken before cooking it because the bacteria in raw meat can transfer to utensils and other food items in the kitchen.
Yes, you can do this, but if you want the chicken skin to be crisper, it’s recommended to cook it in contact with the hot air fryer basket.
Both work, but I prefer using the air fryer for convenience, ease, and time. It cooks the chicken quickly and makes it more crispy.
More air fryer favorites to try
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks (Chicken legs)
Video
Ingredients
- 6 chicken drumsticks
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F.
- In a small bowl, add the baking powder, salt, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and brown sugar, and mix well.
- Pat dry the chicken drumsticks. Toss the drumsticks through the spice mix then drizzle the oil all over.
- Place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 minutes, flip, and cook for a further 6-8 minutes, or until cooked and crispy.
- Serve immediately with your favorite sides.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published May 2022, updated and republished July 2024
First time tried the recipe. Our family favorite! Thank you. ♥️
Vino!!! I love that it is a family favorite- thank you so much for making my recipe.
Fantastic! Easy and delicious!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Tiffany- I’m so glad you enjoyed my air fryer chicken drumsticks 🙂
Outstanding and so flavorful! An absolute keeper. The whole family loved them and making this recipe with chicken thighs tonight. I think the baking powder makes a big difference for crispy skin. Thanks!
Thanks so much, Stellaluna 🙂 Appreciate it!
Instead of using a bowl I have a plastic bag put all ingredients in add chicken the oil and give it a good shake to coat everything.
Denise, that’s a fabulous idea. Thank you for sharing it with us, I’ll make a note to make it easier for others, too. Hope you enjoyed the recipe 🙂
Super! Super simple! Super easy! Super tasty! I really appreciate the fact that the spice rack doesn’t have to emptied to accomplish this recipe. This is the second one of your recipes I’ve tried(the first was home fries) and both were as just as you honestly described. Well done! Looking forward to more adventure.
Thank you for the kind words Ron! So glad you enjoyed these recipes 🙂
Stumbled across this recipe and since I just bought an air fryer, I thought it was worth a try. So delicious, fast and easy. Saving this recipe for the future!
So glad you liked this one Melissa! Hopefully there are a few others on the site that you’ll enjoy too 🙂
Excellent 👍🏻 I have never cooked drumsticks before. I would make them again! Star of the dinner! I had baby gold potatoes, green beans and garlic bread on the side. So glad I found this recipe.
Grateful for the feedback, Jayme!
Today was my first day trying air fry chicken and I found this recipe followed it OMG it was fabulous! Thank you for sharing
Wonderful to hear Terry! So glad you liked this one 🙂
I added some taco seasoning and cooked them a bit longer for some extra crispiness and they came out great!
That’s a great idea Gerald, thanks for sharing!
Used some additional seasoning mix and made honey sriracha drums, used cooking method… they came out 👌🏻 perfect
Love that you opted for a honey sriracha flavor- I adore that for chicken breasts but never tried it for chicken drumsticks, so thanks for the inspiration. Glad you enjoyed my air fried chicken drumsticks recipe!
My husband has been asking me to make this again. I have made it 4 times now and it gets demolished every time.
Great recipe
Yummy!! Thank you fast and tasty!
Fantastic
I find it better to lightly oil the chicken first, before coating it with the dry rub. It allows for more even crisping.
Thanks for the suggestion, Manuela- You can definitely do that. I found in testing that it was fine to do it the way recommended. 🙂
Absolutely Delicious My Husband said do not loose that recipe!
One of my favorite ways to cook chicken legs. Fast, juicy, and flavorful.
Thanks for the feedback, Alana- I appreciate your kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!