Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Recipe Snapshot
PREP + COOK TIME: 30 minutes
METHOD: Air Fryer
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 4
Here’s a quick and simple method to make chicken drumsticks in the air fryer! With just 4 ingredients, you can get crispy chicken ready for mealtime and serve with your favorite sides. Add some all-purpose seasoning for a family-friendly meal that works for everyone!
What’s To Love About This Recipe
- The steps in this recipe are simple and foolproof. The air fryer makes it easy to cook the chicken perfectly, and it turns out so much better – and crispier! – than using the oven.
- Change up the seasonings and you can have a twist on your main entrée. Customize it just how you like to work with different dipping sauces or side dishes.
- Drumsticks are a great alternative to chicken breasts in your meal rotation. They’re usually less expensive and have a richer flavor. You can also use the leftover meat for many other dishes that need precooked chicken!
- Even the kids will love this recipe! They’ll enjoy the experience of eating chicken drumsticks but also the flavors, too! This ingredient combination is a healthy choice to swap out for breaded or fried chicken with excess oil and grease.
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken drumsticks – Use 2 pounds of chicken drumsticks (this is typically 3-4 drumsticks per pound). Make sure the drumsticks are fully thawed. You don’t need to trim them or prep the meat in any way – so simple!
- Olive oil – Use some olive oil to toss the drumsticks with seasoning and get the crispy outlet layer. You can also keep an olive oil spray on hand if it needs a little extra moisture as it cooks.
- Cajun Seasoning – Cajun seasoning adds a garlicky, smoky flavor. It usually contains paprika and a mix of peppers for a slight spicy element. Choose a store-bought blend or mix up your own.
- Herb and garlic or all-purpose seasoning – A seasoning blend with an herbal base adds extra saltiness and depth with parsley or oregano. This added blend also creates extra texture on the crispy skin.
How To Make Chicken Drumsticks In The Air Fryer
- Toss chicken drumsticks with olive oil and seasonings.
- Add drumsticks to the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook at 380 ℉ for 10 minutes, then flip.
- Cook for an additional 10 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 ℉.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
Chicken drumsticks are such an easy air fryer option since you can just add some olive oil and seasoning for super-tasty results! Change up the spices based on the dishes you are serving with the chicken.
Here are a few ideas to get you started!
- Beer-can chicken seasoning usually adds a hint of sweetness from brown sugar in the mix.
- Poultry seasoning adds all-purpose herbal flavors.
- Cajun seasoning brings increased smokiness.
- Southwest seasoning usually contains chili powder and cumin as the primary flavors.
- And plenty more!
Also, feel free to apply the same preparation steps and seasoning combination to cook chicken wings in the air fryer. Just adjust the cooking time and check for doneness at 165 ℉.
How To Serve Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Adding some chicken drumsticks to the air fryer is a great solution for a quick and healthy meal. Make some sides if you like, or just serve with leftovers you already have in the fridge.
For some quick veggie sides, try a colorful combination of Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts, or use the Instant Pot for easy Corn on the Cob. Instant Pot Potato Salad is another tasty option for a summery, potluck-style meal.
Whether you make drumsticks or chicken wings, dipping sauces are fun additions! Try including a side of Cajun Dipping Sauce or Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce.
If you have leftover drumsticks, be sure to save that extra meat! Since it’s already seasoned, it adds so much flavor to meals like chicken salad, tossed salads, or pasta dishes.
Storing and Reheating
Keep leftover chicken drumsticks in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can debone it and chop up the meat to repurpose it for easy meals if you like. If you choose to freeze leftover meat, be sure to remove the bones, then freeze in a sealed bag or container for up to 3 months.
Reheat in the microwave or the preferred method combined with other dishes.
Make-Ahead Freezer Meal:
- Add uncooked chicken, oil, and seasonings to a freezer-safe container or zipper bag.
- Seal tightly and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Thaw before cooking, and follow instructions as written.
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon herb and garlic or all-purpose seasoning
Instructions
- Toss chicken drumsticks with olive oil and seasonings
- Add drumsticks to air fryer basket in a single layer
- Cook at 380 ℉ for 10 minutes, then flip
- Cook for an additional 10 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 ℉
Notes
- Store leftover drumsticks whole or with meat removed in the fridge for up to 3 days. Remove meat from bone to freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost and reheat in the microwave or with other dishes.
- Allow plenty of room for airflow between drumsticks in the air fryer basket.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the meat to retain the juices.
- Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 ℉.
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks FAQs
- Do drumsticks need to be flipped in the air fryer? Yes, you do need to flip the drumsticks once during cooking to ensure crispy skin on all sides.
- Can this recipe be made in the oven? To make this recipe for the oven, preheat the oven to 375 ℉ and line a pan with foil or parchment paper. Prepare the drumsticks as directed with oil and seasonings and place them on a pan with space in between each chicken leg. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165 ℉.
- Can chicken wings be used instead of drumsticks in this recipe? Feel free to swap out wings for drumsticks and adjust the air fryer cooking time by a few minutes on each side.
- Can frozen chicken drumsticks be used? You will get the best results if you thaw the chicken before cooking.
Made this tonight! Delicious!! Highly recommend!
Thank you for the comment, Karen!