Learn how to make these Whole30 and keto air fryer drumsticks EXTRA crispy and addicting. Oven method is also included in case you don’t own an air fryer!
Crispy chicken drumsticks are very popular in our house. We probably eat it once a week and we just love how flavorful and juicy they turn out every time with the most addicting crispy skin.
I’ve probably cooked chicken drumsticks many different ways, but these crispy chicken drumsticks cooked in the air fryer are always our favorite. If you don’t own an air fryer, no worries. I’ve included oven instructions as well!
Extra Crispy Air Fryer Drumsticks Recipe
Every time I make a skin-on chicken dish with a dry cooking method (without sauce), it’s important that the skin turns out super crunchy. It’s honestly my favorite part when I’m eating it! I’ve found that the high concentrated heat and air circulation of the air fryer makes this possible, along with coating the chicken with baking powder.
I’ve been using baking powder for crispy chicken for a while after reading this excerpt from Serious Eats:
“Baking powder, it turns out, is good for quite a lot more than baking. The slightly alkaline mixture raises the skin’s pH levels, which allows proteins to break down more efficiently, giving you crisper, more evenly browned results. Simultaneously, it combines with the bird’s natural juices, forming carbon dioxide gas that leaves you with a layer of tiny bubbles. It’s these bubbles that increase the skin’s surface area, allowing it to develop a crunchy texture once cooked.”
Serious Eats
Isn’t that super cool? The first time I tried it, I was so surprise at how well it worked and using this method really yields the best air fryer chicken drumsticks!
How to Cook Chicken Drumsticks in the Air Fryer
I have several Whole30 and keto air fryer recipes on the blog and I love using the air fryer so much, because of how fast food can cook in it and it yields a much better texture than a standard oven.
Here’s an easy and quick step-by-step of how to cook chicken drumsticks in the air fryer:
- If your air fryer instructions say that it needs to be preheated, make sure to preheat it for at least 5 minutes before cooking.
- Coat the chicken drumsticks with avocado oil, then with the dry rub spices. The spice combo will also include baking powder which will give the chicken an extra crispy skin.
- Cook in the air fryer in a single layer for 20 minutes, making sure to flip halfway through for even cooking. I also try to not have the drumsticks touch each other for more thorough cooking, but it’s not necessary especially if you have a smaller air fryer.
- Enjoy right away! They will be the crispest right out of the air fryer.
How to Bake Chicken Drumsticks in the Oven
Don’t own an air fryer? You can also make these crispy chicken drumsticks in the oven and I’ve included instructions for that as well. The skin will definitely be more crunchy and crispy using the air fryer method, but they’ll still turn out delicious!
To bake chicken drumsticks in the oven, you’ll coat them with the same spices and baking powder combo as the air fryer method. It’ll just take a little big longer to cook. In the same temperature, the chicken drumsticks actually take about 40 minutes to cook through and become golden and crispy.
If you are looking for a quick and easy dinner, these low carb and Whole30 chicken drumsticks come together in no time and go so well with various sides. If you try them out, please let me know in the comments below how you like them!
Other recipes you might love…
- Pineapple Sriracha Drumsticks
- Lemon Garlic Chicken Drumsticks (Paleo, Whole30, Keto, AIP Option)
- Extra Crispy Whole Roast Chicken
- Air Fryer Keto Popcorn Chicken (Paleo, Whole30)
- Paleo & Whole30 Sesame Chicken – Stovetop & Air Fryer Method
Extra Crispy Air Fryer Drumsticks (Paleo, Whole30, Keto) – Oven Method Included
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tbsp baking powder gluten free
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 3/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes, if needed.
- Place the drumsticks in a large bowl and toss with avocado oil.
- Combine baking powder and the spice in a separate bowl.
- Sprinkle the chicken with the spice mixture and toss together until evenly coated.
- Cook in the air fryer in a single layer for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- The internal temperature of the drumsticks should have reached 165 degrees F. If not, cook for longer until they do.
Oven Method
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees, and coat the chicken with spices the same way as the air fryer method.
- Place the drumsticks in single layer on a greased baking sheet.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- The internal temperature of the drumsticks should have reached 165 degrees F. If not, cook for longer until they do.
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After using this recipe, I knew I wouldn’t make chicken drumsticks any other way anymore! Thank you!
There’s nothing better than crispy and delicious chicken! So good!
So good! This is the perfect dinner!
I love that you include air fryer and oven-friendly directions in this recipe. I’m collecting air fryer recipes but don’t have one yet, still with my little ol’ oven 😉 Drumsticks are my favorite pieces so I’ll 100% be making this recipe!
Every time you post one of your delicious air fryer recipes, I head to Amazon to look for one of these gadgets. Definitely need to invest into a good one. Which air fryer do you use? Not sure if you mentioned in this post.
Oooh so good — I just have a little air fryer and I didn’t want them to touch (for extra crispiness) so I made in 2 batches. Need to get a bigger air fryer!
I don’t have an air fryer but the oven version worked perfectly for me. So good!
I’m obsessed with my new air fryer and have been looking for more recipes for it. This one is so simple & I love it!