Air Fryer Drumsticks: Cooking Time Perfection

Chicken drumsticks are a great, inexpensive option for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. They can be cooked in an air fryer in less than 30 minutes and are a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken. The cooking time will depend on the size of the drumsticks and the desired crispiness of the skin, but on average, they take between 10 and 30 minutes to cook in an air fryer. The most reliable way to check if your chicken drumsticks are cooked is by using a meat thermometer to ensure they have reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

How long to cook drumsticks in an air fryer

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in ensuring your chicken drumsticks cook evenly and come out with a crispy texture. Depending on your air fryer model, preheat your air fryer to between 375°F and 400°F (190°C to 200°C). While the air fryer is heating up, take the time to pat your drumsticks dry with paper towels or a cloth. This step is important as it helps to remove any excess moisture, ensuring you achieve that sought-after crispy skin.

Once your drumsticks are dry, brush or drizzle them with olive oil on all sides. The oil plays a key role in helping your spice rub or seasoning stick to the chicken. It also aids in achieving an even browning and that golden, crispy exterior we all crave. If you're using a spice rub, be sure to sprinkle it generously over the chicken, ensuring every bit of skin is coated. Don't be shy with your seasoning, as this is what makes your drumsticks extra flavorful!

The preheating time for your air fryer can vary, but it is typically recommended to run it for a few minutes before adding your chicken. This ensures the air fryer is hot and ready to go, helping the skin to puff up and get that crispy "fried" texture. While preheating, you can place your drumsticks in the air fryer basket, giving them a little space to allow for proper air circulation. Alternatively, you can wait until after preheating to arrange your drumsticks in a single layer without overcrowding, as this will impact the crispness of the skin.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to achieving perfectly cooked and crispy chicken drumsticks. Remember, preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process, ensuring even cooking and that desirable crispy texture.

Season the chicken

Seasoning the chicken drumsticks is a crucial step in ensuring the flavour and crispiness of the final dish. Before seasoning, it is important to pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. This step helps to remove excess moisture, which is key to achieving that crispy, golden skin.

Next, you can add your choice of spices and seasonings. One option is to combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl. You can also add Italian seasoning to this mixture if you wish. Alternatively, you can use a simple blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. If you want to add a touch of sweetness, include some brown sugar in your spice blend. You can also experiment with other spices and seasonings, such as cayenne pepper, chilli powder, or Cajun seasoning, to create your own unique flavour profile.

Once you have prepared your spice blend, drizzle oil over the chicken drumsticks. You can use olive oil or another oil of your choice. The oil helps the seasoning stick to the chicken and ensures even browning in the air fryer. After drizzling the oil, sprinkle the prepared seasoning over the drumsticks and toss them until they are evenly coated in oil and spices. Make sure to season the chicken generously to enhance the flavour of the dish.

If you have time, you can let the chicken sit in the refrigerator for a few hours after seasoning to allow the flavours to marinate. This step is optional but can enhance the taste of the final dish.

Place drumsticks in the air fryer basket

Placing the drumsticks in the air fryer basket is a crucial step in the cooking process. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to ensure you get it right:

Firstly, ensure your drumsticks are prepared and seasoned before placing them in the air fryer basket. Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, as this is key to achieving crispy, golden skin. Then, drizzle or brush the drumsticks with oil, which helps the seasoning stick and ensures even browning. You can also add your preferred blend of spices and herbs, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss the drumsticks until they are evenly coated in oil and spices.

When placing the drumsticks in the air fryer basket, arrange them in a single layer, ensuring no pieces overlap. This is important because it gives the hot air enough space to circulate properly around the drumsticks, ensuring even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook the drumsticks in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.

Additionally, consider placing the drumsticks skin side down in the basket. This technique helps achieve a crispy skin, which is a desirable texture for many. Also, be mindful not to overcrowd the basket, as this can hinder the cooking process and lead to uneven results. If your air fryer is small, consider cooking in batches to ensure optimal cooking conditions.

Finally, once the drumsticks are in the basket, remember to preheat your air fryer. Preheating ensures that your drumsticks cook evenly and at the right temperature from the start. Depending on your recipe and air fryer model, preheat to temperatures between 360°F and 400°F.

Flip the drumsticks

Flipping your chicken drumsticks is an important step in the cooking process. This ensures that your chicken drumsticks cook evenly and don't burn. Depending on your recipe, you may need to flip your drumsticks more than once.

For example, if you are cooking your drumsticks at 380°F (193°C), you will need to flip them after 10 minutes, and then cook them for another 7-8 minutes. This recipe recommends that you cook your chicken drumsticks to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This is the minimum temperature your chicken should reach to ensure food safety.

However, some recipes recommend cooking your chicken drumsticks to an internal temperature of 175°F. This is because bone-in dark meat is best cooked to a slightly higher temperature. This ensures that the meat is cooked through and that any connective tissue has had a chance to break down, making the chicken extra tender and juicy.

When flipping your chicken drumsticks, it's important to be careful not to crowd the air fryer basket. You should also ensure that there is enough space between the drumsticks for the hot air to circulate properly. This will help to ensure that your chicken drumsticks cook evenly and that the skin crisps up all around.

Check the internal temperature

Checking the internal temperature of your chicken drumsticks is the most reliable way to determine if they are cooked through. Using a meat thermometer, check the thickest part of the meat without touching the bone, as this can give an inaccurate reading. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach a minimum of 165°F (74°C) to ensure food safety. However, if you are cooking bone-in dark meat, it is best to cook it to a slightly higher temperature of 175°F (79°C). This higher temperature will ensure that the meat is cooked through and that any connective tissue has had a chance to break down, resulting in extra tender and juicy chicken.

When cooking chicken drumsticks in an air fryer, it is important to keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the drumsticks. As such, it is recommended to check the internal temperature of the chicken after it has been cooking for a certain amount of time and adjust accordingly. For example, one source suggests cooking chicken drumsticks in an air fryer for 20 minutes and then checking the internal temperature before adding a few more minutes as necessary. Another source recommends cooking the drumsticks for 10 minutes, flipping them over, and then cooking for an additional 10 minutes before checking the internal temperature.

It is worth noting that the ideal internal temperature of your chicken drumsticks may vary slightly depending on your personal preferences and the specific recipe you are following. Some sources recommend cooking chicken drumsticks to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), while others suggest aiming for a slightly higher temperature of 175°F (79°C). Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that the chicken is cooked through and safe to eat, so it is always better to err on the side of caution and cook the chicken to the recommended minimum internal temperature.

To achieve the desired internal temperature, it is important to use a meat thermometer that is specifically designed for use with an air fryer, as this will help you achieve crispy and juicy chicken drumsticks. Additionally, it is worth noting that the cooking time and internal temperature may vary depending on the type of air fryer you are using, so it is always a good idea to refer to the specific instructions for your air fryer model.

Frequently asked questions