The Best Air Fryer Drumsticks Recipe You’ll Ever Try!
If you own an Air Fryer and love using it for just about everything like I do, then you’re in for a treat! This recipe for Air Fryer drumsticks is hands down the best you’ll find online.
These drumsticks are packed with flavor, turning out incredibly juicy and tender inside while achieving the perfect crispy texture on the outside.
One of the main reasons I’m obsessed with my Air Fryer is its convenience. It significantly reduces cooking time compared to an oven, consistently delivers excellent food texture, and makes cleanup a breeze! Now, let me walk you through my simple yet delicious Air Fryer chicken legs recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken drumsticks – Use as many as you like, depending on what fits in your Air Fryer. My large Air Fryer holds about 4-6 drumsticks at a time.
- Seasonings – I kept it basic but flavorful with smoked paprika, chili powder, black pepper, and salt. Feel free to add garlic powder, onion powder, or dried oregano if you like.
- Oil – A drizzle of vegetable or olive oil ensures the chicken turns out beautifully crispy and golden.
Must-Have Tools for This Recipe
- Air Fryer – I’ve been using my favorite Air Fryer for years. It features a spacious square basket that accommodates plenty of food and remains easy to clean. The quality is outstanding, and the non-stick coating has held up well over time.
- Stainless steel locking tongs – Essential for flipping and handling hot drumsticks with ease.
- Non-stick grill pan accessory – A game-changer! I use it constantly for Air Fryer recipes.
- Measuring spoons – Perfect for precisely measuring out seasonings.
- Mixing bowls – I use these in all my recipe photos because they’re genuinely the best!
- Air Fryer magnetic cheat sheet – A lifesaver! It includes cooking times and temperatures for 66 common ingredients, making meal prep super easy.
- Air Fryer parchment liners – Not just for steaming! These prevent food from sticking to the basket and make cleanup effortless. Plus, they’re affordable, with 100 pieces in a pack.
- Complete Air Fryer accessory set – If you want to upgrade your cooking game, this set has everything you need!
How to Cook Drumsticks in the Air Fryer
- Season the drumsticks – Place them in a bowl, drizzle with oil, and coat evenly with seasonings.
- Arrange in the Air Fryer basket – No preheating needed! Just ensure the drumsticks aren’t overcrowded or touching.
- Set the temperature and cook – Air Fry at 390°F (200°C) for 25 minutes.
- Flip halfway through – This step is crucial to ensure even cooking and crispy skin.
- Check doneness – Use a thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) before serving.
Do You Need to Flip the Chicken?
Yes! Flipping the drumsticks halfway through cooking ensures they crisp up evenly on all sides.
How to Know If the Chicken Is Fully Cooked
- Use a fork and knife to cut through a drumstick and check that the meat is white and cooked through.
- For accuracy, insert a kitchen thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. It should read 165°F (75°C). If it’s not there yet, cook for another 2-3 minutes and check again.
Dipping Sauce Ideas
Pair your crispy drumsticks with one of these easy homemade dipping sauces:
- Creamy Sweet Chili Mayo – Mix mayonnaise with Frank’s hot sauce and sweet chili sauce.
- Honey Mustard Sauce – Combine sour cream, Dijon mustard, honey, and Worcestershire sauce.
If you want to coat your drumsticks in sauce, do it after air frying. Simply dip them in your preferred sauce, and they’re ready to enjoy!
Make BBQ Chicken Drumsticks!
Want to switch it up? Follow the same cooking method, but air fry for 20 minutes first. Then, brush the drumsticks with BBQ sauce and cook for another 5 minutes.
Oh, and don’t forget to check out my Air Fryer chicken wings—they’re absolutely delicious!
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Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor, these Air Fryer chicken drumsticks are incredibly easy to make! With a perfect blend of seasonings, they cook in just 25 minutes, giving you tender meat with a crispy exterior.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4-6 chicken drumsticks
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (I used canola oil)
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (reduce if you prefer milder heat)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Season the drumsticks – In a bowl, drizzle the chicken with oil and add the seasonings. Toss well to coat evenly.
- Arrange in the Air Fryer basket – No need to preheat. Ensure the drumsticks are placed in a single layer, not touching or overcrowding.
- Cook – Air fry at 200°C (390°F) for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness.
- Serve & Enjoy – Once cooked through, serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces!
Notes
- If adding hot sauce, coat the drumsticks after air frying for the best texture.
- To make BBQ drumsticks, air fry for 20 minutes, brush with BBQ sauce, then cook for another 5 minutes.
- Each Air Fryer chicken leg contains 5 WW freestyle points.
Nutrition Information
- Calories: 155 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Protein: 14g
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 669mg
- Potassium: 201mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Vitamin A: 676 IU
- Calcium: 8mg
- Iron: 1mg
Enjoy these crispy and delicious Air Fryer drumsticks as a quick, easy, and flavorful meal!