Air-Fried Buffalo Drumsticks: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Buffalo drumsticks are a tasty, budget-friendly meal that can be made in an air fryer in under 30 minutes. They are a great alternative to chicken wings, as they are bigger, meatier, and perfect for a main course. The recipe is simple: coat the drumsticks in a dry rub, toss in buffalo sauce, and cook in the air fryer. The result is tender, juicy chicken with a crispy skin. You can adjust the spice level to your preference and serve with your favourite dip.

Choosing your chicken drumsticks

When choosing your chicken drumsticks, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure the best results. Firstly, it is recommended to use skin-on drumsticks as these will give you the crispiest results. You can choose to leave the skin on or remove it, but keeping it will add to the crispy texture.

Secondly, opt for fresh chicken drumsticks rather than frozen. While you can use frozen drumsticks, the cooking time will be longer to account for thawing, and it is preferable to allow the flavour of the marinade to seep into the meat rather than the ice. If you do use frozen drumsticks, increase the cooking temperature to 360 degrees F and cook for 30 minutes, flipping halfway.

When it comes to quantity, this recipe typically calls for 3 pounds of chicken drumsticks, which yields around 6 servings. However, you can adjust the amount of chicken depending on how many people you are serving.

Before cooking, ensure you pat the drumsticks dry with a paper towel. This step is crucial as it helps to remove excess moisture, ensuring the skin crisps up during cooking. It also helps the sauce stick better to the chicken.

Finally, if you want to add extra flavour, you can marinate the drumsticks for a few hours before cooking. This allows the seasonings to penetrate the meat, resulting in a more intense taste.

Preparing your air fryer

Firstly, ensure you have all the necessary ingredients and tools. You will need fresh chicken drumsticks, olive oil or cooking spray, and seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and any other spices you wish to add. It is also important to have a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken when cooking.

Before you begin, preheat your air fryer to 200°C/400°F for about 5 minutes. This step is crucial for achieving the best results as it ensures the drumsticks start cooking immediately and helps to get crispy skin. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the chicken drumsticks. Wash and thoroughly pat them dry with paper towels. This step is essential as it ensures the skin crisps up during cooking.

Next, prepare your seasoning by combining your chosen spices and herbs in a bowl. You can be creative and experiment with different seasonings to suit your taste. Once your seasoning is ready, rub some olive oil or cooking spray onto the skin of the drumsticks, then dip each drumstick into the seasoning, ensuring they are thoroughly coated.

For an extra burst of flavour, you can marinate the drumsticks for a few hours before air frying. This allows the seasonings to penetrate the meat, resulting in juicy and flavourful drumsticks. Place the marinated drumsticks in the refrigerator for about an hour to allow the flavours to truly absorb.

When you are ready to cook, place the drumsticks in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the drumsticks in batches.

Lastly, use a meat thermometer to check that the drumsticks are fully cooked. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the drumstick, ensuring it does not touch the bone. The internal temperature should reach 74°C/165°F. If the drumsticks are not fully cooked, place them back in the air fryer for a few more minutes and check the temperature again.

Now that your air fryer is prepared and the drumsticks are ready to go, you can move on to the next steps of making delicious buffalo drumsticks!

Making the buffalo sauce

Ingredients

You can make your own buffalo sauce or use a store-bought one. Here are the ingredients you will need if you are making your sauce from scratch:

• Hot sauce
• Butter
• Molasses or honey
• Cornstarch
• Garlic powder (optional)
• Onion powder (optional)

Instructions

If you are making your own buffalo sauce, follow these steps:

• Add the hot sauce, butter, molasses or honey, and cornstarch to a small saucepan.
• Heat the mixture on the stove until the butter is melted and the sauce is heated through.
• Give it a taste and adjust the sweetness by adding more molasses or honey if needed.
• If you are adding garlic powder and onion powder, mix them into the sauce.
• You can also add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the mixture for a hint of smokiness.

If you are using store-bought buffalo sauce, simply heat it up in the microwave or on the stove before using it to coat your chicken drumsticks.

Tips

• For a less spicy sauce, use more butter or add a sweetener like honey or agave.
• You can also mix the buffalo sauce with a mild, creamy sauce like bleu cheese or ranch to reduce the heat.
• If you want a thicker sauce, add more cornstarch.
• If you prefer a gluten-free option, use Yo Mama's Original Buffalo Sauce.
• For keto or low-carb, choose Noble Made Hot Buffalo Sauce.

Now that you have your buffalo sauce ready, it's time to cook your chicken drumsticks in the air fryer!

Marinating the chicken

The first step to making delicious buffalo drumsticks in an air fryer is to marinate the chicken drumsticks. This step is crucial as it infuses the chicken with flavour and moisture, ensuring juicy and tasty drumsticks. Here is a detailed guide on how to marinate the chicken for the best results:

Ingredients:

• Chicken Drumsticks: Use fresh chicken drumsticks, with or without the skin, depending on your preference.
• Buffalo Sauce: Choose your favourite brand of buffalo sauce or make your own by combining hot sauce and butter. You can also add other ingredients like honey, agave, or blue cheese to adjust the spiciness and flavour.
• Butter: Melted butter is used in the marinade to balance the spiciness of the buffalo sauce and add richness.
• Spices: You can use a variety of spices to enhance the flavour of the drumsticks. This may include garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, or dried mustard. Feel free to experiment with different combinations to find your perfect blend.
• Oil: A small amount of oil, such as olive oil, can be added to the marinade to help distribute the spices evenly and add moisture to the chicken.

Instructions:

• Prepare the Chicken: Start by washing the chicken drumsticks and patting them dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture is essential for achieving crispy skin during the air frying process.
• Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl or Ziploc bag, add the chicken drumsticks, buffalo sauce, melted butter, and your chosen spices. Mix well to ensure that each drumstick is evenly coated in the marinade.
• Marinate: Place the bowl or bag of chicken in the refrigerator and let the drumsticks marinate for about an hour. This allows the flavours to penetrate the meat, resulting in juicy and flavourful drumsticks.

Remember, the key to a successful marinade is to give it enough time to work its magic. Don't rush this step, as it will make a significant difference in the final taste of your buffalo drumsticks!

Cooking the chicken

Start by preparing your chicken drumsticks. You can either leave the skin on or remove it, depending on your preference. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This will help the skin become extra crispy and ensure the sauce sticks better.

Next, create your seasoning blend by combining your chosen spices in a small bowl. You can use a dry rub, or a mix of spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, and black pepper. You can also add some flour and cornstarch to the mix for extra crispiness. Once your seasoning is ready, rub it all over the chicken drumsticks, making sure each piece is fully coated.

Place the seasoned drumsticks into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between each piece. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Set the temperature to between 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cook the chicken for around 25 minutes, flipping the drumsticks halfway through to ensure even cooking. The chicken is done when the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature.

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and place it in a large bowl. Now it's time to add your sauce! You can use a simple buffalo sauce or make your own by combining hot sauce, butter, and garlic. Pour the sauce over the chicken and toss until each piece is well coated.

Serve your buffalo chicken drumsticks with your favourite dip and enjoy!

Frequently asked questions