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    You are here: Home » Method » Air Fryer » Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

    Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

    September 20, 2021 By Danielle Esposti 1 Comment

    May contain affiliate links.See our Privacy Policy and disclosure.

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    If wings are your usual thing, it may be time to beat a bigger drum. Get more bang for your buck with Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks. Tender, perfectly cooked meat and the crispiest chicken imaginable all on a hand held delivery system. Protein packed air fryer drumsticks are easy, fast, frugal, and flavorful.

    Several crispy chicken drumsticks in the basket of an air fryer.
    Jump to:
    • The Crispiest Chicken is Made in the Air Fryer!
    • Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
    • How to Make Chicken Drumsticks in the Air Fryer
    • Must Know Tips
    • Sauces for Chicken Drumsticks
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More Meaty Air Fryer Recipes
    • Recipe

    For what it’s worth, I stand behind all previous declarations that bone-in chicken is better than boneless, but even I understand the “added” annoyance of eating it. Unless, of course, we’re talking about chicken drumsticks. And even more so if we’re talking about drumsticks in the air fryer.

    Sure, you could just pick up a whole chicken thigh and eat it with your hands, but apparently in polite society that’s considered bad manners. But even in the courts of kings and queens, anyone can nosh on a crispy chicken leg with their bare hands. (Or so the Ren Faire would have you believe…)

    So, since we now know it’s allowed in presumably the politest of societies, what’s stopping you? Assuming you don’t have a spit to roast them on, you can get super crispy, less messy chicken drumsticks in an air fryer that are perfect for jousting matches or just family dinner.

    The Crispiest Chicken is Made in the Air Fryer!

    I’m I learned this when I was blown away by Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. The convection oven-like nature of the air fryer cooks chicken legs evenly and ensures super crispy skin. Unless you’re getting really saucy (literally – as in our honey garlic baked chicken drumsticks), I can’t think of a single reason to back chicken drumsticks in the oven again!

    Because drumsticks aren’t as thick as thighs, you can skip the dry brine – patting with paper towels and using baking powder in your dry rub will suffice. This also means fewer carbs than dredging chicken drumsticks with flour or with cornstarch.

    For a condensed post with “just the facts!”, click through to view the web story for this recipe.

    Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

    Fast: leave your stove alone – cook drumsticks in the air fryer to get juicy meat and crispy skin in half the time. Plus, this hand held meaty main dish requires no cutlery for faster eating too!

    Frugal: drumsticks are always less expensive and (frequently) on sale. Usually even cheaper if you go for a family pack.

    Flavorful: air fryer chicken legs cook evenly, stay juicy on the inside, and are super crispy on the outside. No soggy skin here!

    Healthy: because you don’t need a pool of cooking oil for shallow or deep frying, they have far less fat than other cooking methods.

    • Side view, crispy chicken drumsticks in an air fryer basket.
    • Crispy chicken drumsticks made in the air fryer on a platter with a small bowl of hot sauce.

    How to Make Chicken Drumsticks in the Air Fryer

    Forget white vs. dark. The chicken skin is always the best part. Cook chicken drumsticks in the air fryer for the crispiest skin possible using our foolproof recipe and tips below. No added broiler time or guesswork needed for crispy bone-in chicken without flour – set your timer and let ’em crisp!

    Our Secret Ingredient: Baking Powder (NOT soda)! There is a complex scientific reasoning behind this, and you can read more about that here and here. But for our purposes, know this: a bit of baking powder will yield extra crispy, browned skin.

    • The ingredients for chicken drumsticks dry rub in a small white bowl - baking powder, italian seasoning, paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper.
    • Chicken drumsticks arranged in a casserole dish with a bowl of dry rub to the side.
    • Chicken drumsticks coated with dry rub in a casserole dish.
    • Chicken drumsticks halfway through cooking in the basket of an air fryer.
    • Cooked chicken drumsticks in the basket of an air fryer.
    • Air fryer chicken drumsticks on a tan speckled plate with hot sauce on the side.
    1. MAKE DRY RUB. Combine the baking powder and seasonings in a small bowl.
    2. PREP CHICKEN. Pat the chicken dry, arrange on a dish in a single layer, and drizzle with one tablespoon olive oil.
    3. SEASON CHICKEN. Evenly coat the chicken on all sides with the dry rub.
    4. PREHEAT. Preheat your air fryer if required, then arrange drumsticks in a single layer in the basket.
    5. AIR FRY. Cook at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
    6. SERVE. Garnish and serve. See below for sauce suggestions.

    Must Know Tips

    • Pat the chicken dry before coating in seasoning.
    • Preheat your air fryer if needed – check manufacturer instructions.
    • Don’t crowd the basket. Arrange chicken in a single layer with bit of space in-between. Air fry in batches, and keep cooked chicken in a 200°F oven to stay warm.
    • Always check the internal temperature using an instant read thermometer. It should read at least 165°F in the thickest part of the drumstick.
    • Dip it! While these chicken drumsticks are delicious solo, dip ’em into a sauce for even more flavor.
    • Air fryer drumsticks on a speckled tan plate with a small bowl of hot sauce for dipping.
    • Dipping a crispy air fryer chicken leg into hot sauce.

    Sauces for Chicken Drumsticks

    • Buffalo Sauce: toss cooked drumsticks in Buffalo Sauce, then return to the Air Fryer and cook for 2 minutes.
    • BBQ Sauce: brush cooked drumsticks with BBQ sauce on all sides, then return to the Air Fryer and cook for 2 minutes. Want to make your own? Try our Strawberry BBQ Sauce.
    • Honey Mustard or Ranch Dressing: serve alongside air fryer drumsticks for dipping.
    • Hot Honey: add your favorite hot sauce to honey and dip or drizzle.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What’s the best temperature for air fryer drumsticks?

    We tried a range of temperatures, including 350° and 370°F, but ultimately liked these best cooked at 400°F for the right balance between crispy skin and juicy, tender meat.

    What’s the difference between drumsticks and chicken legs?

    Though colloquially, people may refer to drumsticks as chicken legs, technically, a chicken leg includes both the lower (drumstick) and upper (thigh) portions of meat.


    Can I use chicken legs for this recipe?

    Yes! You may need to cook a bit longer, as thigh meat is thicker. Check the temperature with an instant read thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh for doneness.

    How to reheat drumsticks in the air fryer?

    Simply place drumsticks in air fryer basket and reheat at 350-375°F for 2-3 minutes, depending on size.

    Can I use frozen drumsticks?

    It’s not recommended. Patting the chicken completely dry and using baking powder ensures moisture stays in, not leaks out to create steam. The goal is crispy skin, not soggy.

    More Meaty Air Fryer Recipes

    • Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
    • Air Fryer Steak
    • Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
    • Air Fryer Shrimp
    Side view, air fryer chicken drumsticks on a plate with a bowl of hot sauce.

    Did you make chicken drumsticks in your air fryer? I’d love to know how they turned out! Leave a comment and a rating below.

    While you’re at it, let’s be friends – follow me on Pinterest and Instagram for the latest and greatest.

    Recipe

    Crispy chicken drumsticks made in the air fryer on a platter with a small bowl of hot sauce.

    Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

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    Author: Danielle Esposti
    Print Recipe Rate this Recipe Pin Recipe
    Forget white vs. dark. The chicken skin is always the best part. Cook chicken drumsticks in the air fryer for the crispiest skin possible using our foolproof recipe and tips below. No added broiler time or guesswork needed for crispy bone-in chicken without flour – set your timer and let 'em crisp!
    Prep Time: 10 mins
    Cook Time: 15 mins
    Total Time: 25 mins
    Servings : 4
    Calories: 398

    Recommended Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 8 chicken drumsticks
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • hot sauce, for serving, optional
    • chopped chives, for garnish

    Dry Rub

    • 1 tbsp baking powder
    • 1 tsp italian seasoning
    • 1 tsp paprika
    • 1 tsp kosher salt
    • ½ tsp garlic powder
    • ½ tsp onion powder
    • ½ tsp ground pepper

    Instructions

    • Combine the baking powder, italian seasoning, paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
    • Pat the chicken dry, then arrange in a casserole dish or large plate in a single layer. Drizzle with the olive oil and work into the skin.
    • Sprinkle half the dry rub evenly over the chicken, then rub in with your hands to ensure good, even coverage. Flip the chicken and rub the remainder of the mixture evenly over the skin.
    • Preheat air fryer if required. Arrange four drumsticks in a single layer (or as many drumsticks as your machine can accommodate in a single layer).
    • Cook 10 minutes at 400°F. Flip and cook 5-8 minutes longer depending on the size of the drumsticks, or until the internal temperature registers 165°F using an instant read thermometer.
    • Garnish with chives if desired, and serve with hot sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.

    Notes

    To Keep Warm:  keep cooked chicken in a 200°F oven in-between batches to keep warm.
    Storing and Reheating:
    • Cooked chicken keeps in the fridge for about 3 days.
    • To reheat, place drumsticks in air fryer basket and cook at 350-375°F for 2-3 minutes, depending on size.

    Nutrition Information

    Serving: 2drumsticks, Calories: 398kcal (20%), Carbohydrates: 3g (1%), Protein: 44g (88%), Fat: 24g (37%), Saturated Fat: 5g (25%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 180mg (60%), Sodium: 837mg (35%), Potassium: 32mg (1%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 0g, Vitamin A: 11% (11%), Vitamin C: 12% (12%), Calcium: 208% (208%), Iron: 15% (15%)
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @oursaltykitchen or tag #oursaltykitchen!
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    Disclaimer: This post and the recipe card may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission (at no cost to you!) if you make a purchase using these links. Rest assured, we only endorse products we own and truly love!

    1 Comment
    Filed Under: Air Fryer, Gluten Free, Main Dishes, Paleo, Whole30 Recipes

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    1. 100 Easy Air Fryer Recipes for Kids & Families - what moms love says:
      April 13, 2022 at 9:47 pm

      […] (1) Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks: Eating off the bone is preferred by many kids (you get to use your hands and get messy after all!) so these chicken drumsticks are a great option for your family’s dinner protein. We love that they cook very evenly in the air fryer with a super crispy coating! (via oursaltykitchen.com) […]

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