Marianne Martinez
Cooking chicken drumsticks in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get delicious, crispy and juicy chicken. The cooking time varies depending on the air fryer model, but on average, it takes around 20-25 minutes. The key to getting crispy chicken in an air fryer is to ensure the chicken is patted dry before cooking and to preheat the air fryer. The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step to ensure your chicken drumsticks cook evenly and thoroughly. While some sources claim that preheating is unnecessary, doing so will ensure your chicken reaches the desired internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) or 175°F, depending on your preference. This is essential for food safety, as undercooked chicken can be dangerous to consume.
To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and let it run for a few minutes before adding your chicken. Aim for a temperature of around 380°F to 400°F (about 193°C to 200°C). This will ensure that when you place your chicken in the air fryer, it starts cooking immediately and evenly.
The preheating time will depend on your air fryer model, so refer to your user manual for specific instructions. As a general rule, preheat for at least 3-5 minutes, or until the air fryer reaches the desired temperature. Some air fryers may take longer to preheat, especially if they have a larger capacity.
During preheating, you can prepare your chicken drumsticks. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial for achieving crispy skin. You can also season the chicken or brush it with olive oil at this point, ensuring the spices and oil stick to the drumsticks evenly.
Once your air fryer has preheated, you can place the chicken drumsticks inside, ensuring they don't overlap and that there's enough space for hot air to circulate. Now, you're ready to start the cooking process, following your chosen recipe's instructions for cooking time and temperature adjustments.
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Pat the chicken dry
Before patting the chicken dry, you can defrost the drumsticks in your refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave if you are short on time. It is also important to note that it is not recommended to wash chicken before cooking it, as the bacteria in raw meat can transfer to utensils and other food items in the kitchen.
After patting the chicken dry, brush each drumstick with olive oil on all sides. The oil helps the rub stick to the chicken and creates a crispy, golden exterior. You can also use vegetable oil to achieve the desired crispiness. Once the drumsticks are coated in oil, sprinkle the spice rub generously over the chicken, ensuring that every bit of skin is coated.
Place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping or stacked. Leave some space between the drumsticks so that hot air can circulate properly. This step is important as it ensures the chicken cooks evenly and achieves the desired crispiness.
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Season the chicken
Seasoning your chicken drumsticks is a key step in ensuring they turn out tasty and juicy. The first step is to pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This step is important as it removes any excess moisture, which is essential for achieving crispy skin.
Next, you'll want to brush each drumstick with olive oil on all sides. You can also use vegetable oil. This step helps the seasoning stick to the chicken and creates a golden, crispy exterior. It is best to place the drumsticks in a large Ziploc bag and then drizzle with oil.
Now it's time to add the spices! In a small bowl, mix together your chosen spices. A simple blend could include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning. You can also add a little cayenne pepper if you like your food spicy. Smoked paprika and oregano are other options to consider. Give the bowl a good mix so that the spices are evenly distributed.
After that, it's time to coat the chicken. Place the drumsticks in the Ziploc bag with the spices and shake until they are evenly coated. You can also sprinkle the spice mix generously over the chicken, ensuring that every bit of skin is coated.
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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. Using a meat thermometer is the best way to check the internal temperature of your chicken. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken drumstick without touching the bone, as this will throw off the results. The internal temperature of the chicken should read 165°F or 75°C to be considered safe to eat. If the chicken has not reached this temperature, it may need a few more minutes of cooking time.
When checking the internal temperature, it is important to minimise the amount of heat that escapes from the air fryer. Only check the temperature when you are already opening the fryer to flip the chicken, and do not peek too often. You can also check the doneness of the chicken by cutting through a small piece with a fork and knife to see if the meat is cooked. However, using a thermometer is a more accurate method.
It is important to note that bone-in dark meat, such as chicken drumsticks, is best cooked to a slightly higher temperature than boneless chicken. Aim for an internal temperature of 175°F or higher for the most tender and juicy meat. This ensures that any connective tissue has had a chance to break down.
By following these guidelines and checking the internal temperature of your chicken drumsticks, you can ensure that your meal is cooked properly and safely.
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Reheat and store
Leftover chicken drumsticks can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. It is recommended to let the drumsticks cool completely before storing them. They can also be frozen for up to four months. Wrap each drumstick in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag or container.
To reheat, thaw the chicken drumsticks overnight in the fridge. You can then reheat them in the air fryer until crispy or in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Reheating in the air fryer is recommended to retain the crispiness of the chicken. The ideal temperature for reheating in the air fryer is 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes. You can also use an oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
The cooking time depends on the temperature and the number of chicken sticks you are cooking. For example, if you are cooking eight chicken drumsticks at 400°F (200°C), it will take around 20 minutes. If you are cooking five drumsticks at 390°F (200°C), it will take around 25 minutes.
You can use a meat thermometer to check if the chicken is done. The internal temperature should be 165°F (74°C). If you don't have a thermometer, you can cut into the chicken to see if it is cooked through.
To get crispy chicken sticks, pat them dry with paper towels before cooking to remove any excess moisture. You can also brush the chicken with olive oil before cooking to help the skin crisp up. Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket so that hot air can circulate around each chicken stick.
