Recipe Snapshot

PREP + COOK TIME: 1 hour + 5 minutes
METHOD: Oven
OTHER TOOLS: wire rack, parchment paper or foil
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 10

Simple Baked Chicken Drumsticks are fall-off-the-bone tender and effortless to make! With a familiar ingredient list, the recipe yields juicy chicken on the inside and perfectly crispy skin on the outside. Make an easy batch of drumsticks for weeknight dinners and healthy, delicious meals!

closeup view of parchment lined wooden cutting board containing five baked chicken drumsticks with platter of green beans and gold fork on side

What’s To Love About This Recipe

Simple chicken drumsticks with a mayonnaise-and-seasoning coating result in the crispiest skin and a tender, juicy interior.
Drumsticks make an easy and affordable weeknight dinner choice. This recipe and oven-baked method are dependable and repeatable with customizations as you like! With a family-friendly seasoning blend, these are fun and tasty for kids, too.
The simple seasoning blend is made from basic pantry staples, plus a hint of brown sugar, which lightly caramelizes during baking and keeps the skin crisp.
Juicy, baked drumsticks are a healthy meal choice with plenty of flavor due to the darker meat. They are also a versatile main dish to serve with a variety of sides. Go as basic or fancy as you like!
With this oven-baked option, drumsticks take only a few minutes to prepare in a batch. You can reheat the leftovers in the oven or air fryer and enjoy them throughout the week!

Ingredients Needed

Chicken drumsticks – Drumsticks are an underrated choice for easy, family-friendly meal prep! They are inexpensive to buy in bulk and have plenty of natural flavor due to the dark meat. The chicken stays juicy and tender, while the skin crisps easily in the oven.
Mayonnaise – This is a basic ingredient that really elevates the flavor and overall results without making the chicken taste too greasy or heavy! A light coating of mayo helps the seasoning stick to the chicken, and the fat content helps it brown nicely. I prefer using an avocado oil-based mayo for flavor and clean ingredients.
Smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper – A simple mix of pantry spices creates a savory blend that keeps the dish mild enough for the whole family, yet with plenty of flavor. Kosher salt adds texture that helps the seasonings stick, and smoked paprika adds earthiness to the blend.
Dried oregano and ground mustard – These additional spices add an herbal element with a hint of tanginess to balance the blend.
Brown sugar – A small amount of brown sugar helps caramelize the seasoning blend, creating an extra-crispy exterior on the drumsticks. It doesn’t add an exceptional amount of sweetness, and the overall flavor maintains the savory profile.

parchment lined wooden cutting board containing 5 chicken drumsticks surrounded by containers of salt, pepper, mayonnaise, and larger bowl of assorted seasonings

How To Make Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Preheat the oven to 400℉.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, and place a wire rack on top for extra airflow.
Pat the chicken drumsticks very dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl.
Add the mayonnaise and toss the drumsticks until they are lightly and evenly coated.
In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, ground mustard, and brown sugar.
Sprinkle the spice blend over the drumsticks and toss until the chicken is evenly coated on all sides.

glass bowl of chicken drumsticks with small bowl of mayonnaise on side

large glass bowl of mayonnaise coated chicken drumsticks sprinkled with seasonings, with bowl of seasonings and spatula on side

Arrange the drumsticks on the prepared rack and baking sheet, leaving space between each piece.

overhead view of chicken drumsticks on baking sheet and rack lined with parchment paper

Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes, flipping the drumsticks halfway through, until the skin is golden and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165℉.
Remove from the oven and let the drumsticks rest for 5 minutes before serving.

overhead view of baked chicken drumsticks on baking sheet and rack lined with parchment paper

Pro Tips

Pat the drumsticks very dry before adding mayo to help the skin crisp.
Line the baking pan with parchment or foil to prevent the skin from sticking to the pan and for effortless cleanup! The wire rack is an optional but recommended step because it improves airflow on all sides of the chicken and produces extra-crispy skin.
Drumsticks should bake uncovered the entire time for maximum crispiness.
Flip halfway through cooking for even browning.
The internal temperature should reach 165℉. Dark meat can reach up to 175-180℉ for extra tenderness. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
Baking at 400℉ is the best temperature to crisp the skin without drying the chicken out.
Leave space between the drumsticks so they roast rather than steam in the oven.
Allowing the chicken to rest 5 minutes before serving helps preserve the juices.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Other chicken cuts also work well with this preparation method. For bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, prepare and bake at the same temperature, and cook slightly longer, depending on the size. Chicken leg quarters will also cook similarly, as will chicken wings, which will cook faster due to their smaller size (all chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165℉).
Try alternative spice blends on the chicken drumsticks to change up the flavor! Here are some favorite seasoning choices:
- Cajun Seasoning
- Homemade Fajita Seasoning
- Taco seasoning
- Blackening seasoning
- Lemon pepper
- Herb and garlic seasoning
For a BBQ chicken version, brush the drumsticks with your favorite BBQ sauce during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Try more popular methods for crispy, seasoned chicken!

closeup view of four chicken drumsticks on parchment paper

How To Serve Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Baked chicken drumsticks make a delicious and versatile main dish, paired with a variety of sides. While they bake in the oven, use the air fryer for seasoned Air Fryer Red Potatoes or Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts. Serve the drumsticks alongside other fresh dishes, such as Balsamic Tomato Salad or Caesar Pasta Salad, to complete a tasty, home-cooked meal.

Dipping sauces are also a delicious addition to the crispy baked drumsticks! Depending on your meal profile, try a sauce that complements the flavors and sides. Some tasty options are:

closeup view of hand holding baked chicken drumstick with blurred plates of chicken drumsticks and green beans in background

Storing and Reheating

How To Best Store Leftovers

Fridge

Let the drumsticks cool, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezer

Freezing is also an option, but the drumsticks will not maintain the original crispiness. Seal the drumsticks tightly in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat.

How To Best Reheat Leftovers

Reheating the drumsticks in the oven or air fryer will help maintain the crisp texture.

Place the drumsticks back in the oven on a baking sheet and reheat at 375℉ for 15 minutes, or until heated through.
In the air fryer, reheat at 375℉ for 5-7 minutes, rotating the drumsticks halfway through.