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Air Fryer Drumsticks

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These simple Air Fryer Drumsticks are a family favorite loved by the kids and the adults. They are crispy and juicy every time. And ready in about 30 minutes.

Air fryer drumsticks have been on my list to make for a long time now and my only regret is I didn’t make them sooner!! 

plated air fryer drum sticks

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Between you and me, I love fried chicken. Some say it’s really easy to make and others just can’t be bothered to make it. I am in that second category. I hate the greasy mess and smell that deep-frying leaves in the house so I typically save fried foods for eating out.

My children have always LOVED fried and roasted chicken legs (thank goodness, because they are super affordable). After I got my first air fryer and made some of the easier dishes, I was ready to dive in and remake some of our favorite dishes.

I changed up my recipe a little bit for this air fryer version and was surprised at how crispy they came out with using a tiny bit of oil. The air fryer is a great way to get a crispy finish, like on these buffalo chicken tenders.

Just a tip, while air fryers are generally easy to clean, I recommend getting some parchment liners. These are liners that fit in the air fryer like regular parchment paper, except they have holes that allow the air to circulate while cooking your food. 

Also, with the coating that most air fryer baskets have you’ll want to grab a pair of tongs with a silicone coating on the ends so you don’t chip the finish on your basket. 

ingredients labeled for air fryer drum sticks

Ingredients for Air Fryer Drumsticks

Chicken Legs

Avocado Oil

Salt and Pepper

Paprika 

Garlic Powder

Onion Powder

How To Make Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees. Add your spices to a bowl and set to the side. 

Wash your chicken then pat it dry. Add the drumsticks to a large bowl and drizzle with oil. 

Coat the drumsticks evenly with the spice blend.

Add the drumsticks in a single layer to your air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes. 

Then flip the chicken legs and continue cooking for another 8-10 minutes. Depending on the model of your air fryer, you may need additional cooking time. Just be sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees (I have this meat thermometer).

spices added to chicken in bowl- text overlay add spice mix and toss to coat

How To Get Chicken Crispy in the Air Fryer 

The secret to having crispy chicken every time is making sure you pat it dry before seasoning. This helps the oil and seasonings stick to the meat and makes the chicken skin super crispy.

Is there a Difference Between Chicken Legs and Drumsticks? 

Actually yes but most people use these terms interchangeably. The chicken leg is actually the drumstick and the thigh together. And the drumstick is the lower half that you hold when you eat it.

seasoned chicken legs placed in air fryer with text overlay

Tips for Making 

  • For even crispier skin, spritz the legs with a little bit of oil. Use an oil spritzer for even coverage.
  • Don’t crowd the chicken in the basket – you need to leave room for air to circulate for even cooking. 
  • Grease the pan or use a parchment paper liner for easier cleanup.
cooked drumsticks in air fryer basket

How To Store

Raw chicken lasts for 2 days in the fridge but you can keep cooked chicken legs for 3-4 days. If you have leftovers that you don’t think you will eat, you can take the chicken off the bone and freeze for later.

The leftover meat is also tasty in salads and other recipes that call for rotisserie style chicken.

More Air Fryer Recipes You May Like

**Pin the Air Fryer Drumsticks Recipe for Later**

plated drum sticks text overlay air fryer drumsticks

Air Fryer Drumsticks

These simple Air Fryer Drumsticks are a family favorite loved by the kids and the adults. They are crispy and juicy every time. And ready in about 30 minutes.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 308kcal
Author: Lori

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 8 chicken drumsticks
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

  • Combine the spices in a small bowl and set aside.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes.
  • Wash and pat dry the chicken legs.
  • Place the drumsticks in a large bowl and toss with avocado oil.
  • Sprinkle chicken with the spice mixture and toss together until evenly coated.
  • Place drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes at 380 degrees F.
  • Remove the fryer basket and turn the drumsticks.
  • Cook for another 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. If needed, cook for an additional 2-5 minutes.

Notes

  1. For crispier skin, spritz drumsticks with a little bit of oil (an oil mister/spritzer works well for this). 
  2. Don’t crowd the chicken in the basket- you need to leave room for the air to circulate for even cooking 
  3. Grease the pan or use a parchment paper liner for easier cleanup. 
  4. Refrigerate leftovers.
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Nutritional Estimate

Serving: 1drumstick | Calories: 308kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 740mg | Potassium: 358mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 110IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.

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