Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

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šŸ— Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

Crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor ā€” without deep-frying!

These air fryer chicken drumsticks are seasoned to perfection, crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. Perfect for a quick dinner, meal prep, or game-day snack. Plus, no grease splatter or long baking times!

šŸ•’ Total Time: 30ā€“35 minutes

šŸ“ Servings: 4 (makes about 8 drumsticks)

šŸ”„ Method: Air Fryer

šŸ” High-protein | Low-carb | Gluten-free

šŸ§‚ Ingredients

šŸ— For the Chicken:

  • 8 chicken drumsticks, skin-on, bone-in

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 tsp onion powder

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)

  • Ā½ tsp salt

  • Ā½ tsp black pepper

  • Ā½ tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning (optional)

  • Ā¼ tsp chili powder or cayenne (optional for heat)

šŸ”Ŗ Instructions

āœ… Step 1: Prep the Drumsticks

  1. Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels ā€” this helps them crisp up.

  2. Place them in a large bowl or zip-top bag.

āœ… Step 2: Season

  1. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and toss to coat.

  2. In a small bowl, mix all the seasonings.

  3. Sprinkle the seasoning blend over the chicken and toss/rub to coat evenly.

āœ… Step 3: Air Fry

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400Ā°F (200Ā°C) for 3ā€“5 minutes.

  2. Arrange the drumsticks in a single layer in the basket. Donā€™t overcrowd!

  3. Air fry for 24ā€“26 minutes, flipping halfway through (around the 12-minute mark), until:

    • The skin is crispy

    • The internal temperature is at least 165Ā°F (74Ā°C), ideally closer to 175Ā°Fā€“180Ā°F for drumsticks (they stay juicier)

āœ… Step 4: Rest & Serve

  • Let the drumsticks rest for 5 minutes before serving to retain juices.

  • Optional: Sprinkle with fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon juice for extra flavor.

šŸ½ļø Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

  • Roasted or air-fried veggies

  • Mashed potatoes or sweet potato fries

  • Coleslaw or salad

  • Dips like ranch, honey mustard, or spicy BBQ

šŸ§Š Storage & Reheating

  • Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

  • Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months (wrap individually to prevent freezer burn).

  • Reheat: Air fry at 350Ā°F for 5ā€“7 minutes, or microwave and crisp in the broiler.

ā“ Q&A ā€“ Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

šŸŸ  Q1: Can I use frozen drumsticks?

Yes ā€” but thaw them first for best results. Frozen drumsticks can cook unevenly and wonā€™t crisp up properly.

šŸŸ  Q2: Can I marinate the chicken first?

Definitely! Marinate in yogurt, BBQ sauce, hot sauce, or buttermilk for 2ā€“24 hours. Pat dry before seasoning and air frying to get crispy skin.

šŸŸ  Q3: Can I use skinless drumsticks?

Yes, but they wonā€™t get as crispy. The seasoning will still be delicious, but you may want to lightly spray them with oil before cooking.

šŸŸ  Q4: Why is my chicken not crispy?

Try these tips:

  • Make sure the chicken is dry before seasoning

  • Donā€™t overcrowd the air fryer

  • Spray lightly with oil if needed

  • Make sure your air fryer is fully preheated

šŸŸ  Q5: What other seasonings can I try?

  • Lemon pepper

  • Buffalo seasoning

  • Cajun or Creole spice mix

  • Tandoori-style spices with yogurt marinade

  • Garlic-Parmesan (add grated Parmesan after cooking)

šŸŸ  Q6: Can I double the recipe?

Yes ā€” cook in batches so you donā€™t crowd the basket. Overlapping drumsticks = steamed chicken instead of crispy.

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