Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 22 minutes
PREPARATION TIME: 5
When I need to stick to a budget, chicken drumsticks are my usual choice for dinner. They are affordable and available in both small packs and larger quantities. Recently, my preference has shifted to Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks. They not only cook evenly in the air fryer, but the skin also becomes slightly crispy, which I really enjoy. This recipe is perfect for quick meals on hectic weeknights, so make sure to add it to your list!
This recipe closely resembles our Baked Chicken Drumsticks, but it cooks in about half the time needed for the oven. I used a similar spice mix, excluding the cayenne pepper, but you can include it if you like some heat. I prefer using my air fryer whenever I can, especially when my oven is already occupied. Additionally, it can be more budgetfriendly than heating the oven. This means I can prepare my family’s favorite chicken drumsticks faster and save some money too!
Ingredients
To prepare chicken drumsticks in the air fryer, gather the following:
Chicken Drumsticks:
I chose drumsticks that are bonein and skinon.
Drumsticks differ from chicken leg quarters, as the leg quarters include both the thigh and drumstick. If you would rather have thigh meat, check out our air fryer chicken thighs recipe instead!
Olive Oil:
Just a small amount to coat the chicken for better browning.
Seasonings:
For classic flavor, I mixed smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. You could also add a little cayenne pepper if you enjoy some spiciness.
Seasoning Variations to Experiment With
I appreciate the simple seasoning blend I use for these air fryer chicken drumsticks. It enhances the chicken’s taste without overshadowing its natural flavor. However, you can easily adjust the seasonings or use a storebought mix for variety! Here are some suggestions you might enjoy:
Poultry seasoning (available in most supermarkets)
Cajun seasoning
Creole seasoning (I love Tony Chachere’s!)
Lemon pepper seasoning
BBQ seasoning mix
Jerk seasoning
Garlic herb seasoning
Taco seasoning
Fajita seasoning
Ways to Save Money!
Buying larger packs of chicken drumsticks, around 4-5 lbs. , can be more costeffective than the smaller 1-2 lbs. packs. If you have room in your freezer, consider purchasing the larger pack and dividing it into smaller servings for later. To save even more, you can opt for FROZEN chicken drumsticks and defrost them in the refrigerator overnight before using. Frozen options are often less expensive than fresh, and the air fryer will make them taste great! I suggest drying them with paper towels to eliminate extra moisture before air frying.
Recipe Success Tips
Avoid filling the air fryer basket too much.
My air fryer can hold 5 drumsticks without them overlapping, but if yours is smaller, you may need to cook them in separate batches.
Don’t forget to preheat your air fryer!
Just like you wouldn’t turn on your oven without preheating it (I hope!!), the same goes for the air fryer. Preheating helps your food cook evenly and at the proper temperature.
To make sure your chicken is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer.
Chicken drumsticks are safe to eat when the inside temperature gets to 165°F, but for bonein dark meat, it’s better to cook it a bit longer. I aim for around 175°F. This temperature ensures the meat is fully cooked and the connective tissue breaks down, making the chicken very tender and juicy. Avoid touching the bone with the thermometer, as that can give a wrong reading.
Serving Suggestions
These easy air fryer chicken drumsticks provide a quick way to make chicken legs for busy weeknights. I paired mine with a simple salad for a healthy and fast dinner. However, they would also taste great with mac and cheese, steamed vegetables, or even potato salad, which is perfect for picnics! My family enjoys them even more when served with a dipping sauce. BBQ sauce is our favorite!
Storage @ Reheating
After they cool down, leftover air fryer chicken drumsticks can be kept in an airtight container for 34 days or frozen for 23 months. Be sure to let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight before you reheat them.
I usually put them back in the preheated air fryer at 360ºF, or according to the settings for your own air fryer, until they are heated through.
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
These simple Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks are always juicy, with crispy, seasoned skin, and are ready in under 30 minutes!
Servings 5 pieces
Prep 5 minutes
Cook 22 minutes
Total 27 minutes
Ingredients
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp onion powder
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
⅛ tsp cayenne pepper, optional
2 lbs. chicken drumsticks, around 56 pieces
1 ½ Tbsp olive oil
Instructions
First, preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. In a bowl, mix the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Take the chicken drumsticks and place them in a bowl. Drizzle the oil over the top. Then, evenly sprinkle the seasoning mixture onto the drumsticks, tossing them to ensure they are well coated.
Arrange the seasoned drumsticks in the air fryer basket in one layer, making sure they do not overlap. Air fry for 12 minutes on one side. Flip the drumsticks and air fry for another 10 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 175°F. Serve them hot with your favorite sides and enjoy!
Equipment
Air Fryer
Meat Thermometer
Notes.
I didn’t include any cayenne pepper in my seasoning blend, but feel free to add some if you enjoy a bit of spice!
Usually, chicken drumsticks are sold in packs containing 5 or 6 pieces, depending on the total weight. My drumsticks were quite large. This recipe is suitable for 5 or 6 drumsticks, which is roughly 2 pounds in total.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 piece
Calories: 329 kcal
Carbohydrates: 1 g
Protein: 32 g
Fat: 21 g
Sodium: 422 mg
Fiber: 0. 3 g.
