If you’re looking for a delicious air fryer drumsticks recipe, this post is for you! This air fryer drumsticks recipe will give you delectable drumsticks which will be juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
What is the Air Fryer Drumsticks Recipe?
Air fryer chicken drumstick is the perfect recipe that consistently yields juicy, crispy exteriors and moist interiors. There is no difficult cooking process involved; simply season the chicken, let it air fry for approximately half an hour, then serve and savor.
Air-fried drumsticks are the perfect quick protein to enjoy for midweek dinners, holidays, and more. They go well with almost anything. While you wait for the air fryer to work, prepare a side dish of sweet potatoes, delicata squash, broccoli, or Brussels Sprouts. This way, you’ll quickly make a delicious, well-balanced meal that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Drumsticks Recipe
To prepare air fryer drumsticks recipe, you’ll need:
Chicken Drumsticks: Choose premium drumsticks that are either fresh or frozen. To ensure that the oil and herbs adhere to the chicken, pat dry the drumsticks with paper towels.
Olive Oil: You can use whatever kind of oil you like for cooking, such as avocado, canola, sunflower, or olive.
Celtic Sea Salt: You can use any high-quality sea salt you like. Celtic sea salt is saltier than conventional table salt, so use it carefully.
Freshly Ground Black Pepper: It will add a little heat and a richer flavor to the recipe.
Garlic Powder: It gives the chicken a flavorful, deep kick.
Smoked Paprika: It adds a little color and a smoky, earthy flavor to the chicken.
Cumin: It has an earthy flavor that gives chicken a “meaty” taste.
Baking powder: It is a secret ingredient for the crispy exterior and juicy middles.
Recipe Instructions
Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-10 minutes.
Prepare the Seasoning
Combine all the spices including salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and baking powder in a small bowl.
Season the Drumsticks
Place the drumsticks in a bowl. Drizzle them with the oil you have in hand. Coat the drumsticks with the prepared seasoning.
Air Fry the Drumsticks
Place the drumsticks in the air fryer in a single layer and cook them for 10 minutes. Flip them upside down and cook for another 10 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Serve the Drumsticks
Serve the drumsticks hot and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Do not overfill the air fryer basket.
- Do not add baking soda in place of baking powder in the recipe.
- Before serving, let the chicken rest in tin foil for five minutes for extra juicy flavor.
How to Store and Reheat the Chicken Drumsticks?
- Store: You can keep leftovers in the fridge for four to five days if you store them in an airtight container.
- Freeze: Air-fried chicken drumsticks can be stored in a ziplock bag and frozen for up to three months.
- Reheat: Reheat them in the air fryer until crispy, or microwave them for 20 to 30 seconds.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve chicken drumsticks with any of your favorite side dishes. Here are some suggestions for you:
- Smashed Potatoes
- Mac n Cheese
- Brussels sprouts
- French Fries
- Potato Salad
Recipe Variations
- Try re-making the recipe with different chicken pieces.
- Use different spices like Italian seasoning or taco spices.
- Add in your favorite sauce.
- Apply a thin layer of panko or keto bread crumbs to the chicken.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 316kcal
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Protein: 27g
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Cholesterol: 139mg
- Sodium: 1322mg
- Potassium: 405mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 0.2g
- Vitamin A: 585IU
- Vitamin C: 0.1mg
- Calcium: 40mg
- Iron: 2mg
The Best Air Fryer Drumsticks Recipe – Crispy & Spicy Chicken Legs
Description
Air-fried drumsticks are the perfect quick protein to enjoy for midweek dinners, holidays, and more. They go well with almost anything. While you wait for the air fryer to work, prepare a side dish of sweet potatoes, delicata squash, broccoli, or Brussels Sprouts. This way, you’ll quickly make a delicious, well-balanced meal that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-10 minutes.
- Prepare the Seasoning: Combine all the spices including salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and baking powder in a small bowl.
- Season the Drumsticks: Place the drumsticks in a bowl. Drizzle them with the oil you have in hand. Coat the drumsticks with the prepared seasoning.
- Air Fry the Drumsticks: Place the drumsticks in the air fryer in a single layer and cook them for 10 minutes. Flip them upside down and cook for another 10 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Serve the Drumsticks: Serve the drumsticks hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Do not overfill the air fryer basket.
- Do not add baking soda in place of baking powder in the recipe.
- Before serving, let the chicken rest in tin foil for five minutes for extra juicy flavor.
Servings 8
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 316
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 21g33%
- Saturated Fat 5<strong class="dr-nut-label dr-nut-measurement">g</strong>25%
- Trans Fat 0.1<strong class="dr-nut-label dr-nut-measurement">g</strong>
- Cholesterol 139mg47%
- Sodium 1322mg56%
- Potassium 405mg12%
- Total Carbohydrate 3g1%
- Dietary Fiber 1<strong class="dr-nut-label dr-nut-measurement">g</strong>4%
- Sugars 0.2<strong class="dr-nut-label dr-nut-measurement">g</strong>
- Protein 27g54%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Recipe FAQs
How Long Should I Air Fry Chicken Drumsticks?
The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the drumsticks and the type of air fryer you have. However, the average cooking time is 12-15 minutes.
How Long Do Chicken Drumsticks Last?
Chicken drumsticks can be kept in the fridge for up to four days and in the freezer for up to three months.
Can I Add Sauce to the Drumsticks?
Yes, of course! There are two ways to add sauce to your chicken drumsticks. Like chicken wings, cook the chicken first so that the skin gets nice and crispy before tossing it in the sauce. The other way around, you can crisp the chicken, add the sauce, and keep frying it in the air fryer to create a sauce “crust.”
Can I Bake Chicken Drumsticks in the Oven?
Yes, you can bake the drumsticks in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes.
Can You Stand Drumsticks Up in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can do this, but cooking the chicken in contact with the hot air fryer basket is advised if you want the skin to be crispier.
Is it Better to Air Fry or Bake Chicken?
Both methods are effective. But for convenience, and ease of use, using the air fryer is preferable. The chicken cooks more quickly and is crispy in the air fryer.
