Emilie Meyer
The Nuwave Air Fryer is a popular choice for cooking chicken drumsticks, thanks to its modern technology, affordability, and efficiency. It is a versatile appliance that can be used as a stove, dehydrator, and air fryer all in one. With two heating elements, one on top and one at the bottom, it cooks food from both sides simultaneously, eliminating the need for side changes. The convection fan system circulates super-heated air, resulting in juicy and tender drumsticks with a crispy texture. The integrated thermometer takes the guesswork out of cooking, ensuring your chicken is cooked to perfection.
Now, let's get into the details of how long it takes to cook chicken drumsticks in the Nuwave Air Fryer.
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. While some sources suggest that preheating is unnecessary, as air fryers heat up quickly, preheating can help to ensure your chicken drumsticks cook evenly and develop a crispy texture.
To preheat your air fryer, set it to the desired temperature and let it run for 2 to 10 minutes. Most air fryers have only one heating element at the top, but some, like the NUWAVE Bravo XL, have two heating elements, at the top and bottom, allowing your food to cook from both sides simultaneously. The NUWAVE Bravo XL is an all-in-one appliance, functioning as a stove, dehydrator, and air fryer, and can be set at your desired temperature.
The ideal temperature for cooking chicken drumsticks is 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check the temperature with a digital thermometer to prevent over or undercooking. It is important to note that the temperature and cooking time may vary depending on the size of the drumsticks and the model of your air fryer.
When preheating, ensure there is sufficient space in the air fryer basket to allow hot air to circulate. Avoid overcrowding by placing the drumsticks in a single layer with space between them. This will help ensure even cooking and the desired crispy texture.
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Season the drumsticks
Seasoning your chicken drumsticks is a key step in the cooking process. It ensures your chicken is packed with flavour and has a crispy texture. The seasoning you use can be tailored to your taste preferences, but there are some classic combinations that work well.
Firstly, you should pat your drumsticks dry with a paper towel. This will help the seasoning to stick to the meat. Then, you can add your chosen herbs and spices. A simple combination is seasoned salt and pepper, but you can also try a cajun or Italian blend, or a mixture of garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and olive oil. You can also marinate the chicken in buttermilk or soy sauce for extra flavour and to keep the meat juicy.
Once you have selected your seasoning, coat the drumsticks generously. Massage the seasoning into the meat for a few minutes to ensure it is evenly distributed and thoroughly covering the drumsticks. You can then place the drumsticks in the air fryer, ensuring they are not overcrowded so that the hot air can circulate effectively.
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Cook for 12 minutes on each side
Cooking chicken drumsticks in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get that crave-worthy crunch without the need for a lot of oil. The NuWave Air Fryer is a great appliance to cook chicken drumsticks in, as it has two heating elements, on the top and bottom, so your food cooks from both sides at the same time. This means there is no need to flip your chicken drumsticks halfway through the cooking process.
To cook chicken drumsticks in a NuWave Air Fryer, it is recommended that you cook them for 12 minutes on each side. This means a total cooking time of 24 minutes. However, it is important to note that the size of the drumsticks can affect the cooking time. If you are cooking larger drumsticks, you may need to increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
- Start by seasoning your chicken drumsticks. You can use a simple coating of seasoned salt and pepper, or get creative with a cajun or Italian blend. Generously coat one side of the drumsticks.
- Place the drumsticks seasoned side down on the grill. If your drumsticks are thick, you may want to start them on the HI setting.
- Cook the drumsticks for 12 minutes.
- When the timer goes off, remove the drumsticks from the air fryer and season the other side.
- Place the drumsticks back in the air fryer and cook for an additional 12 minutes.
- After 12 minutes, check the doneness of the drumsticks by slicing into one of them. If they are still a little pink, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until they are cooked to your desired level of doneness.
- Once the drumsticks are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of your drumsticks and the specific model of your NuWave Air Fryer. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure that your chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
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Check the internal temperature
Checking the internal temperature of your chicken drumsticks is a crucial step in ensuring they are cooked properly and safely. Here is a detailed guide on how to do this when cooking chicken drumsticks in a NuWave air fryer:
Firstly, it is important to note that the cooking time for chicken drumsticks can vary depending on the size of the drumsticks and the specific model of your air fryer. Therefore, relying solely on cooking time may not be a reliable indicator of doneness. It is always best to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your chicken drumsticks.
When checking the internal temperature, insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken drumstick, being careful not to touch the bone. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends cooking chicken to a minimum internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure that harmful bacteria are eliminated.
For accurate results, it is recommended to check the temperature when you open the air fryer to flip the drumsticks. Avoid opening the air fryer solely to check the temperature, as this will cause heat to escape and may affect the cooking process.
If the chicken has not reached the desired internal temperature of 165°F, continue cooking in 2-5 minute intervals until the desired temperature is reached. This will ensure that your chicken is cooked thoroughly and is safe to consume.
By following these instructions and paying close attention to the internal temperature, you can ensure that your chicken drumsticks are cooked properly and are ready to be served. Remember to let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving, as this will allow the juices to redistribute and result in juicy and tender drumsticks.
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Baste with sauce
Basting your chicken drumsticks with sauce will give them a crunchy "crust" and a BBQ flavour. You can baste your chicken drumsticks with your favourite BBQ sauce or make your own sauce. One recipe suggests mixing garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper (if you like a little heat), and olive oil in a small bowl.
If you want to baste your chicken drumsticks, you should cook them for 15 minutes, flip them, and then cook for another 5 minutes. Next, you can baste the chicken with BBQ sauce, flip it, and then baste the other side. Air fry for another 3-5 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can then remove the chicken drumsticks from the air fryer and baste them with more BBQ sauce if you want. It is recommended that you let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
It is important to note that you should not peek too often when cooking chicken in an air fryer, as this will cause heat to escape. Instead, use a digital thermometer to check the temperature of the chicken when you open the air fryer to flip the drumsticks.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 20-25 minutes to cook chicken drumsticks in a NuWave air fryer. The time may vary depending on the size of the drumsticks.
First, preheat your air fryer to 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, season your drumsticks with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices. Place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. Cook for 12 minutes, then flip the drumsticks and cook for another 12 minutes. Check the internal temperature of the drumsticks using a meat thermometer; if they have not reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit internally, cook for an additional 2-5 minutes.
The best way to determine if your chicken drumsticks are done is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the drumstick, without touching the bone, and ensure that the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
