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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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Just purchased 8 qt air fryer. Have not used it yet. Did I go too big?
I think that’s a personal question. It depends on how many people you regularly feed and how much food you plan to cook in it.
First thing I made in my new air fryer. Excellent flavor. I cooked them an extra 5 minutes as the chicken legs were huge.
Chicken juicy and flavorful but skin not as crispy. Chicken was dried before cooking and did use canola oil.
I made this last week and it was delicious! So easy but full of flavor.
This was my first Air Fryer recipe and let me tell you, it will make you slap yo mama!! Using the baking powder was amazing! It will be my go to ingredient when I need my fried chicken fix!! Thank you!
Haha thank you so much!!! So appreciate this review.
Didn’t care for this at all. It was extremely salty! All I could taste was salt. I had to tear the skin off to eat it. The skin was crispy though so I’ll keep the baking powder tip and use different spices next time.
I haven’t heard anyone say it’s salty yet so I’m sorry to hear that! Your drumsticks might be smaller than normal. I would try reducing the amount of salt for next time.
Did you use sea salt? I just made it tonight and didn’t notice a strong salt flavor.
This crispy chicken was out of this world. I loved the flavorful crust. My husband, who is not a fan of chicken enjoyed this recipe. Santa brought my attention fryer and I am learning one recipe at a time.
Thank you so much!! So happy you loved it.
I have a power XL air fryer and I absolutely love it but I’ve been looking to upgrade to the new power XL vortex. There’s more space in the bottom it comes with grilling racks and it’s supposed to cook more evenly though I’ve never had a problem with my power XL cooking evenly
Family hit! When the boys want something “fried” I whip these up and it’s an instant hit. I follow recipe as is in the air fryer and they are perfect every time. Served these with a bowl of homemade ramen and strawberries for the kiddo! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Sounds amazing with ramen. So glad you enjoyed!!
Easy to make it, and very tasty. My family loved it.
Thank you