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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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This was delicious. Came out crispy and juicy. Been looking for a good fried chicken recipe that I didn’t have to do on the stove. Well I found it and it’s done in the air fryer even better. Thank you for the recipe. Will definitely be making again. Also can you use this recipe for boneless skinless chicken thighs and also can you use it on fish? Thank you.
Thank you so much! You can definitely use it with fish and chicken thighs, but if there’s no skin, it won’t turn out crispy. You can add some breading if you want to get them to crisp up!
Thank you. I tried the fish last night. I added 2TSP almond flour to the spice mix. Oh I use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika so much better. It turned out delicious. Oh it did need some lemon added to it next time.
we just love how flavorful and juicy
Can you cook them from frozen or do they need to be thawed 1st?
They need to be thawed first.
Why avocado oil? Who has that in their pantry?!
It’s a healthy cooking oil that won’t oxidize at high heat like many other oils. You can use any kind of cooking oil you prefer though.
I made this tonight for dinner and it was delicious. The entire family enjoyed it. Will definitely made it again.
Amazing! Thank you!!
Thanks for this recipe. I’m still getting used to using my new air fryer. I came across your recipe and it came out great. I had to sub chili powder because I didn’t have paprika, but the chicken legs still came out great.
Sounds wonderful with chili powder!
I have made these several times and they are very flavorful we love them. Thanks for the recipe.
This fried chicken recipe was a hit, even with my pessimistic daughter. She found out there was hot sauce in it & she spent days trying to convince me not to make it. She begrudgingly admitted that she liked it. I WILL be making this a regular in our house. Thank you
Haha that’s amazing!! Thank you so much for leaving a review
So Great! Perfect directions! my whole family loves it! It comes out delicious
Thank you for sharing!
Wow! Just wow! It was delicious!
Thanks so much!!