The best air fried chicken drumsticks recipe. These air fryer fried chicken drumsticks with no buttermilk are juicy and moist on the inside, have golden crispy skin, and are packed full of flavor.
Chicken drumsticks in air fryer are easy, and quick to make, tasty, and can be served with sides like diced potatoes, vegetables, rice, or pasta. Let me show you how to make it.
Air Fried Chicken Drumsticks Recipe (Air Fryer Fried Chicken Drumsticks)
This air fried chicken drumsticks recipe is simple yet you get delicious, flavor-packed crispy chicken drumsticks that are moist and juicy inside.
Air fryer fried chicken drumsticks are a breeze to make requiring minimal preparation, and clean-up is easy.
It's quick to air fry chicken drumsticks taking less than 30 minutes. Also, this air fryer breaded chicken drumsticks uses a few ingredients and it turns out perfectly cooked and delicious.
The air fryer is one of the best gadgets to cook chicken and with just a little to no oil, It turns out as if it's deep fried but without the excess calories of oil required in deep frying.
I used flour and breadcrumbs (panko) to coat the chicken for that extra crispy crunchy taste and it is so good! Juicy, moist, and tender inside, with crunchy crispy skin. Yum!
This is air fryer fried chicken drumsticks no buttermilk but If you want a recipe with buttermilk, check out my air fryer fried chicken recipe.
Related: Air fryer bbq chicken drumsticks
Ingredients
The detailed ingredient list, directions, and measurements for making these air fryer fried chicken legs are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Chicken drumsticks- Also called chicken legs in some countries.
Breadcrumbs
Plain flour- This is also known as all-purpose flour.
Paprika
Parsley
Garlic granules
Onion granules
Black Pepper
Salt
Olive oil
How To Make Air Fried Chicken Drumsticks
In a bowl, mix the breadcrumbs (panko), flour, paprika, parsley, black pepper, salt, onion granules, and garlic granules.
Clean the chicken drumsticks and pat them dry with paper towels.
Brush the drumsticks with olive oil.
Take each piece and dredge in the panko seasoning mix.
Repeat for all the chicken drumsticks.
Arrange the chicken legs in the air fryer in a single layer leaving spaces between them.
Air fry drumsticks at a temperature of 200C/400F for 15 minutes.
Use a tong to flip the drumsticks and air fry for another 10 minutes or until cooked tender inside, with golden crispy crunchy skin.
Bring out of the air fryer and serve.
How Long To Air Fry Chicken Drumsticks
How long to cook chicken drumsticks in air fryer? Drumsticks come in various sizes and this is a factor in how long it takes to cook them. Also, the size, wattage, temperature, and type of air fryer are other factors.
However, generally, how long to air fry chicken drumsticks in air fryer is 25-30 minutes at 400F/200C. Cooking it at a lower temperature might take longer.
Bigger drumsticks will take longer to cook than smaller ones. Also, frozen drumsticks will take longer to cook than room-temperature drumsticks.
Air fried chicken drumsticks are cooked when the inside is tender, moist, and juicy and the skin is golden brown and crispy.
You can also check the internal temperature by inserting a meat thermometer. If it reads at least 165F/ 75C, then it's cooked.
Start with 25 minutes and if there's a need to adjust the cooking time, do so accordingly.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Fried Chicken Drumsticks
Some sides that can be served with it are:
Air fryer Vegetables, Pan fried carrots, sauteed vegetables, Boiled carrots
Jollof rice, Yellow rice, long grain rice
Spinach pasta, creamy tomato pasta, spicy pasta
Crispy air fryer potatoes, Roast Potatoes, boiled potatoes, fried potatoes
Salad, Coleslaw
How To Store
When it's completely cool, pack them in a Ziploc, label, and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
In the freezer, put in a Ziploc or a sealable container, label, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheat in the air fryer, microwave, or oven.
To reheat it in the air fryer: Arrange the drumsticks in the air fryer basket, and air fry at 180C/380F for 4 minutes or until they are heated through.
Reheat it in the microwave- Place on a microwaveable plate, and microwave at high settings at 30 seconds intervals until it's warmed through.
To Reheat in the oven- Line a baking tray with baking paper. Arrange the drumsticks on the lined baking tray, put it in the oven, and bake at 190C/390F for 8 minutes or until warmed through.
Tips For Making Air Fried Chicken Drumsticks
- Use similar size chicken legs so they cook evenly.
- Adjust the salt and pepper quantity to suit your taste.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Arrange drumsticks in a single layer and leave spaces between them.
- There's no need to preheat the air fryer, however, if you do, the chicken might cook a couple of minutes quicker.
- Cook time will depend on the size of the drumsticks and the type and brand of the air fryer. I advise if trying a recipe for the first time, check on it a few minutes before recommended time and adjust accordingly.
- It's best served hot.
FAQS
Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions about this recipe. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to leave a comment below and we'll be happy to answer them as soon as possible.
Season and arrange them in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer, without overcrowding, air fry at a high temperature for crispy skin, and flip the drumsticks halfway during cooking so that all sides are crisped.
Cooking at a temperature that is too low can be a reason. Air frying at a high temperature of 200C/400F ensures they come out golden brown and crispy.
The air fryer cooks drumsticks in half of the time it takes to cook them in the oven and they are crispy, and air fried with the use of little to no oil. However, oven is bigger and can fit in more than an air fryer.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Tasty air fryer bone in chicken thighs
Air fryer frozen chicken wings
More Chicken Drumsticks Recipes
Instant Pot chicken drumsticks
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Air Fried Chicken Drumsticks (Air Fryer Fried Chicken Drumsticks)
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 6 pieces Chicken Drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons Breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon All pupose flour
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Parsley
- ¼ teaspoon Black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Onion granules
- ½ teaspoon Garlic granules
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the breadcrumbs (panko), flour, paprika, parsley, black pepper, salt, onion granules, and garlic granules.
- Clean the chicken drumsticks and pat them dry with paper towels.
- Brush the drumsticks with olive oil.
- Take each piece and dredge in the panko seasoning mix.Repeat for all the chicken drumsticks.
- Arrange the chicken drumsticks in the air fryer in a single layer leaving spaces between them.
- Air fry drumsticks at a temperature of 200C/400F for 15 minutes.
- Use a tong to flip the drumsticks and air fry for another 10-15 minutes or until cooked tender inside, with golden crispy crunchy skin.
- Bring out of the air fryer and serve.
Notes
- Use similar size chicken legs so they cook evenly.
- Adjust the salt and pepper quantity to suit your taste.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Arrange drumsticks in a single layer and leave spaces between them.
- There's no need to preheat the air fryer, however, if you do, the chicken might cook a couple of minutes quicker.
- Cook time will depend on the size of the drumsticks and the type and brand of the air fryer. I advise if trying a recipe for the first time, check on it a few minutes before recommended time and adjust accordingly.
- It's best served hot.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe? Great! Rate it by clicking the stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leaving a comment below. Don't forget to share this post with your friends, families, and also on your favorite Pinterest and Facebook.
Do you remove the skin before cooking?
Is that what is meant by “clean”
Hi Malinda, I didn't take the skin off before cooking, however, you can do so if you prefer.
Will definitely try this one!