These Air Fryer Drumsticks are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. No breading needed! Turn to this easy chicken recipe when you need a quick dinner or protein for meal prep.
Table of Contents
Cooking chicken drumsticks in the air fryer is a foolproof cooking method that always produces juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside chicken! No complicated steps included – just season the chicken, air fry for about 30 minutes, then serve and enjoy.
You can pair Air Fryer Drumsticks with practically anything, making them the ultimate quick protein to enjoy for weeknight dinners, meal prep, holidays, and more. Prepare a side of sweet potatoes, delicata squash, broccoli, or brussels sprouts as you wait for the air fryer to do its thing. In no time, you’ll have a well-balanced meal everyone will love.
Ingredient notes
- Chicken drumsticks – Keep the skin on and the bones in! I used 2 pounds worth of drumsticks for this recipe, which should be enough to feed a family of four.
- Dry seasonings – You can keep it simple and stick to a mix of kosher salt, oregano, paprika, black pepper, and garlic powder. Or, if you want to kick up the spice level, head to the Customizing tips below for more seasoning ideas.
- Olive oil – Just a little gets mixed with the spices to create a paste, which helps the seasonings stick to the skin.
How to make air fryer chicken drumsticks
Cooking chicken drumsticks in the air fryer is a quick and easy alternative to oven roasting and produces crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside chicken every time:
Step 1
Make the spice blend
- Set the air fryer to 380ºF and preheat while you prep the chicken. Preheating always helps the chicken cook evenly.
- Combine the salt and spices with olive oil to create a paste.
Step 2
Coat the chicken
- Rub the paste onto the skin of the chicken, coating each piece evenly.
Step 3
Air fry the drumsticks
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil, then arrange the drumsticks in a single layer. Cook for 20 minutes, then turn up the heat to 400ºF for 5 minutes to help the skin crisp.
- Once the chicken is looking golden brown and deliciously crispy, take them out of the air fryer and enjoy!
Recipe tips
- Take the drumsticks out of the fridge 10 to 15 minutes before cooking. Tempering the meat helps it cook quicker and more evenly.
- Before applying the seasoning paste, pat the legs completely dry with a paper towel. This not only helps the seasonings stick to the outside of the chicken but also prevents steaming (which stops the skin from crisping).
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. The hot air must fully circulate around each drumstick to achieve crispy skin. Work in batches if you need to.
- Let the drumsticks rest for 5 minutes after cooking. This helps every bit of juice and flavor soak into the meat.
Customize it
As an alternative to the suggested seasonings in the recipe card, use any of these seasoning blends instead:
- Dry Buffalo Seasoning
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- Montreal Seasoning
- Ranch Seasoning
The right sauces can make your chicken drumsticks feel just like your favorite chicken wings. Try tossing the cooked legs in one of these fun flavors or serving it on the side:
- Teriyaki Sauce
- More → 25+ sauces for chicken
Recommended tool
You likely already have an air fryer since you are reading this post. But in case you’re in the market to buy a new one, here are my TOP 5 Favorite Air Fryers!
FAQs
This exact time will depend on the size of the drumsticks. They typically don’t take longer than 30 minutes when cooked in a 380ºF air fryer.
The best way to tell that the chicken is done cooking is with a meat thermometer. Insert the probe into the thicker part of the leg and check that the internal temperature has reached a safe 165ºF before serving.
If the meat is cooked through but the skin isn’t crisped to your liking, continue cooking the legs up to 190ºF. The skin will crisp without sacrificing any juiciness inside.
Yes, but keep in mind that chicken cooked from frozen tends to be less juicy. To air fry frozen chicken drumsticks, cook them at 350ºF until the meat is thawed. From there, follow the recipe as written.
Storing and reheating
Let the chicken legs cool completely before refrigerating them in a shallow, airtight container for 3 to 4 days. They also freeze well for up to 4 months.
To reheat, return the legs to the air fryer and heat at 360ºF for 5 to 10 minutes or until the skin is re-crisped and the meat is warmed through.
Serving suggestions
Chicken legs for dinner pair so well with all of the side dishes below, as well as these 50 Best Sides For Chicken or BBQ Chicken:
Erin’s wine pairings
- Crisp and aromatic Sauvignon Blanc or an unoaked Chardonnay are both wonderful choices with chicken.
- As for reds, the bright acidity and smooth finish of a Pinot Noir will pair well with the lightly seasoned chicken.
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More helpful how-to chicken guides
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Don’t have an air fryer? You can bake these chicken legs in the oven too!
Full Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 8 chicken drumsticks (about 2 ½ pounds)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine the salt and spices with oil to create a paste. Coat chicken drumsticks with the paste.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380-degrees.
- Spray basket with cooking oil and place a single layer of chicken legs in the air fryer basket and cook for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. (You will need to work in batches)
- Increase the temperature to 400-degrees and continue to cook for 5 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Take the drumsticks out of the fridge 10 to 15 minutes before cooking. Tempering the meat helps it cook quicker and more evenly.
- Before applying the seasoning paste, pat the legs completely dry with a paper towel. This not only helps the seasonings stick to the outside of the chicken but also prevents steaming (which stops the skin from crisping).
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. The hot air must fully circulate around each drumstick to achieve crispy skin. Work in batches if you need to.
- Let the drumsticks rest for 5 minutes after cooking. This helps every bit of juice and flavor soak into the meat.
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