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Learn how to make these air fryer chicken drumsticks EXTRA crispy and addicting. This easy chicken recipe requires super simple ingredients and pairs well with any side. Perfect for busy weeknights! I’ve also included an oven method in case you don’t own an air fryer!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Chicken Drumstick Recipe
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. You truly don’t even need BBQ sauce (though it might be great for dipping)! If you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner, this is it!
I’ve probably cooked drumsticks and crispy chicken legs many different ways, but these crispy chicken drumsticks cooked in the air fryer are always our favorite. It’s truly the easiest way to cook them, and they turn out perfect every single time!
If you don’t have an air fryer, don’t worry! I’ve included oven instructions as well. Happy Cooking!
How to Make Extra Crispy Air Fryer Drumsticks
Every time I make a skin-on chicken dish with a dry cooking method (without BBQ 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 highly concentrated hot 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.”
Isn’t that super cool? The first time I tried it, I was so surprised at how well it worked, and using this method really yields the best, crispiest chicken!
Ingredient Notes
- chicken drumsticks
- avocado oil: Or your favorite cooking oil like olive oil.
- baking powder
- paprika
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- salt and black pepper
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Air Fryer Method
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 are the step-by-step instructions on how to cook chicken drumsticks in the air fryer:
Step 1: 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.
Step 2: Combine baking powder and the spice in a separate small bowl.
Step 3: Sprinkle the chicken with the spice mixture and toss together until evenly coated.
Step 4: Cook in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Step 5:The internal temperature of the drumsticks should have reached 165 degrees F. For best results, adjust the cooking time if necessary.
Oven Method
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!
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F, then coat the chicken drumsticks with the same spices and baking powder combo as the air fryer method.
- Bake for 40 minutes until they cook through and become golden and crispy, flipping them halfway through.
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. They taste better than any other bbq chicken recipes I’ve tried!
Expert Tips
- To spice these up, feel free to add a little chili powder or cayenne pepper to the spice rub mixture. Alternatively, you can drizzle your favorite hot sauce on top before eating.
- Serve with your favorite side dish— french fries, sweet potatoes, roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, and more! Or cut the dark meat chicken off the bone and serve on a salad!
- The drumsticks are cooked through when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Check with an instant read thermometer or meat thermometer.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer to get them crispy and warmed through.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! In fact, the chicken drumsticks in this recipe are cooked raw. By the time they are done, they have tender and juicy meat on in the inside while being deliciously crispy on the outside.
Yes, they will take a longer time to cook, but it can be done. However, for this recipe, I recommend defrosting them first so the spices and the baking powder stick to the skin better.
Of course. In fact, I wouldn’t consider these chicken to have a batter, since it’s just a thin coat of baking powder and spices.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Air Fryer Keto Popcorn Chicken
- Sesame Chicken – Stovetop & Air Fryer Method
- Easy Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken
If you make this recipe, please leave me a star rating and comment below! I love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Follow me on social media Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for even more delicious recipes!
Extra Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks
- 1 tbsp avocado oil, or your favorite cooking oil
- 1 tbsp baking powder, NOT baking soda
- 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.8 chicken drumsticks, 1 tbsp avocado oil
- Combine baking powder and the spices in a separate bowl.1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 3/4 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 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.
Notes
-
- To spice these up, feel free to add a little chili powder or cayenne pepper to the spice rub mixture. Alternatively, you can drizzle your favorite hot sauce on top before eating.
-
- Serve with your favorite side dish— french fries, sweet potatoes, roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, and more! Or cut the dark meat chicken off the bone and serve on a salad!
- The drumsticks are cooked through when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Check with an instant read thermometer or meat thermometer.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer to get them crispy and warmed through.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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The whole family loved them!
The best compliment. 🙂
My first recipe in my new toaster oven air fryer! It felt very experimental to me and I learned a few things. Anyway delicious outcome and I had all the ingredients on hand. My only issue is cleanup. How does one clean the air fryer basket? That’s quite a chore. Thanks for the amazing recipe.
I have a toaster oven style with a removable base so it’s fairy easy to clean. When I had a basket style air fryer, I just used my handheld vaccuum to suck up as much debris as possible and then wiped it down with a kitchen rag and all-purpose spray.
Best wat to clean is soaking the screen/grill in soapy hot water for as long as you can.
I had these tonight pared with instant pot buttered cabbage and it was a delicious meal! The chicken was even better cold from the fridge for a quick snack so I’m sure I will be making this often! Thanks so much for sharing this great recipe!
So glad you enjoyed!!
I used this recipe last week and the drumstick where soooooo delicious..perfect …
I’m going to do a whole chicken tonight . Assume I could use this recipe as well . Similar crispy ness
Being from deep GA and learning how to cook from my grandmother and this includes fried chicken and homemade chicken and dumplings, makes me judge all food to that standard. This is by far the easiest and great chicken in no time. I added more seasoning and cooked it a total of 23 minutes and the results were awesome. Thanks for adding and I will cook this again when I don’t want to cook in my cast iron frying pan.
Ok so the 400 degrees in the oven does not work. Halfway through when I turned over it stuck to the greased pan.
And the chicken was not browned. Soggy skin. Not hood.
So good! Thanks for the help. Got my air fried two years ago and just didn’t used it. Can’t wait to see what is next.
I don’t have Avocado oil available at this time.. what will be a good substitute if any?
Any cooking oil you have will work like olive oil.
I made this recipe in the oven I was good but turned out soggy not crispy why ?
I’m not sure what could have happened, but your chicken might have been to wet before you added the spices. You can try patting it dry next time. Also, baking them on a wire rack over the sheet pan may help as well.
These came out AMAZING! Thanks!
So glad you liked it! 🙂
I only had Chipotle Avocado Oil, which gave my chicken a kick. DELICIOUS! I will certainly make this recipe again.
Sounds amazing. So glad you enjoyed!!