Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Drumsticks: The Perfect Recipe

If you're looking for a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook chicken drumsticks, then look no further than your air fryer. This handy kitchen appliance can have juicy and tender chicken on the table in less than 20 minutes, with a fraction of the calories and oil used in traditional frying. The circulating air of the fryer cooks the chicken evenly, resulting in a succulent crispy exterior and a tender interior.

To make crispy chicken drumsticks in an air fryer, you'll need a few simple ingredients and spices, and just a few minutes of prep time. First, pat the drumsticks dry and brush with olive oil. Then, create a spice blend and coat the drumsticks. Finally, cook in the air fryer for around 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. The result is a delicious, crispy, and healthy meal that the whole family will love.

Choosing your ingredients

The ingredients you choose for this recipe will depend on your personal preference, but here are some options and things to consider when making crispy chicken drumsticks in an air fryer:

Chicken drumsticks

Firstly, you'll need some chicken drumsticks, also known as chicken legs. It's recommended to choose cuts of chicken with the skin on, as this will give you that crispy exterior. You can usually find packs of just chicken drumsticks near the other chicken parts in the meat section of your grocery store.

Oil

You'll also need some oil. Olive oil is a popular choice and is loved for the classic flavour it brings to chicken. However, any oil will work, including canola or vegetable, avocado, or sunflower oil.

Seasonings

Now for the fun part – the seasonings! There are many different combinations of spices and herbs you can use to flavour your chicken drumsticks. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Smoked paprika
• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Brown sugar (or a brown sugar substitute)
• Salt and pepper
• Cumin
• Cayenne pepper
• Chili powder
• Celery seed
• Ground mustard

You can also add a sprinkle of baking powder to your seasoning mix, as this will help to give your chicken a crispy exterior.

Optional extras

If you want to add a sauce to your chicken drumsticks, there are many options to choose from. You can dip your cooked drumsticks in ranch dressing, hot sauce, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or your favourite Asian sauce. Alternatively, you can slather your chicken in BBQ sauce during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time or toss your cooked drumsticks in sauce.

If you want to add a crunchy "crust" to your chicken, you can also layer on the sauce and continue cooking in the air fryer. However, do not add the sauce too early, as this will make the chicken flabby.

Preparing your chicken drumsticks

Selecting the Chicken Drumsticks:

Start by choosing fresh or thawed chicken drumsticks, preferably with the skin on. The skin helps create that desirable crispy texture on the outside. Look for high-quality drumsticks in the meat section of your grocery store, usually available in packs near the other chicken parts.

Preparing the Chicken:

Before you begin, make sure your chicken is properly thawed if previously frozen. Then, using paper towels, pat the chicken drumsticks dry to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial as it ensures that the oil and seasonings will adhere better to the chicken. Place the dried drumsticks in a bowl or a large plastic bag.

Creating the Marinade:

In a small bowl, combine your chosen herbs and spices. For a simple yet delicious blend, you can use a mixture of salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. You can also add a sweet element like brown sugar to balance out the savoury spices. Mix your dry ingredients well.

Marinating the Chicken:

Drizzle olive oil over the chicken drumsticks. You can use other types of oil as well, such as avocado oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil. Use your hands or a brush to ensure the drumsticks are evenly coated. Next, sprinkle the herb and spice mixture over the drumsticks, generously coating each piece. If you have the time, let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight for more intense flavour.

Preheating the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to ensure optimal cooking. Set the temperature to 400°F and let it preheat for 2 to 10 minutes. This step helps the air fryer reach the desired temperature and ensures even cooking.

Now that your chicken drumsticks are prepared, you can move on to the cooking process. Place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer without overlapping or stacking. Follow the cooking instructions provided by your chosen recipe, and you'll be on your way to enjoying delicious, crispy chicken drumsticks!

Cooking your chicken drumsticks

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make crispy chicken drumsticks in an air fryer:

• Chicken drumsticks (with skin on for crispiness)
• Olive oil (or another oil of your choice)
• Baking powder
• Spices/seasonings of your choice (e.g. smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, brown sugar, cumin)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 200°C/400°F.
• Prepare your chicken drumsticks by patting them dry with a paper towel.
• In a small bowl, mix together your chosen spices and seasonings.
• Brush the drumsticks with a light coating of olive oil, then place them in a large plastic bag. Alternatively, you can place the drumsticks in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil.
• Add the spice mixture to the bag or bowl, ensuring that all the drumsticks are well coated. You can shake the bag or toss the drumsticks in the bowl to achieve this.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with olive oil to prevent sticking.
• Place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping or stacked.
• Air fry at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping the drumsticks halfway through the cooking time.
• Check that the chicken is cooked by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the drumstick (without touching the bone). The internal temperature should be 165°F or above. If it is not cooked, return to the air fryer for a few more minutes.
• Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips

• For extra crispiness, you can stand the drumsticks up in the air fryer so that the skin is in contact with the hot air fryer basket.
• If you are cooking more than four to six drumsticks, it is best to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• You can also bake the chicken drumsticks in the oven if you don't have an air fryer. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F and cook the drumsticks for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days or freeze for up to four months.

Adding a sauce

If you want to add a sauce while cooking, wait until the last 2-5 minutes of cooking time and slather your chicken legs in BBQ sauce. Alternatively, you can toss the cooked chicken in sauce to coat it and then return it to the air fryer to build a "crust" of sauce as it cooks.

If you prefer to use a sauce as a dip, chicken drumsticks go well with ranch dressing, hot sauce, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or Asian sauce. You can even make a spicy dipping sauce by mixing ranch dressing with hot sauce.

Serving suggestions

There are many different ways to serve air-fried chicken drumsticks. Here are some suggestions:

• With a dipping sauce: You could serve the drumsticks with a dipping sauce such as ranch dressing, hot sauce, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or your favourite Asian sauce.
• With a side dish: Chicken goes with just about everything! Try serving it with spicy beans, air fryer french fries, roasted potatoes, quick-pickled beets, rice pilaf, or any other side dish you prefer.
• As part of a larger meal: Air fryer chicken drumsticks can be served as part of a larger meal, such as with Potato Wedges or Funeral Potatoes.
• With a salad: You could pair the drumsticks with a salad, such as KFC Coleslaw.
• With vegetables: Try serving the drumsticks with air fryer corn on the cob or some other type of cooked vegetable.
• With bread: The drumsticks could be served with bread, such as Air Fryer Potato Wedges or an Air Fryer Baked Potato.
• With a dessert: If you're looking for something sweet to finish off the meal, there are plenty of dessert options that would go well with air fryer chicken drumsticks, such as a chocolate banana cake or banana bread muffins.

Frequently asked questions