This air fryer frozen chicken drumsticks recipe is what you need to make tender, flavorful, and delicious frozen chicken legs in air fryer without thawing them. Can you air fry frozen chicken? Yes! It is easy, and quick, and this post will show you seasoning options, how long to cook, tips, and answer frequently asked questions.
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
You are going to love this air fryer frozen chicken drumsticks recipe for a bunch of different reasons.
First, air frying chicken drumsticks does not require you to thaw or defrost the chicken, automatically eliminating a lot of waiting time. So, if you forget to take out the chicken from the freezer, don't panic! As long as you have some spices and an air fryer, you can get it cooked in about 30 minutes.
Second, the chicken is as juicy as it can get on the inside while staying super crispy on the outside. The air fryer is simply great for cooking frozen foods!
The herbs and spices used to season them also blend well with each other. You get a perfect combination of spices that beautifully complements the chicken’s own flavor, making sure every bite is infused with ultimate deliciousness.
Lastly, you don't have to be the ultimate chef champ to get it right. This frozen drumsticks in air fryer recipe is super simple, and anyone can cook it following the simple steps in this post.
Let me show you that air frying frozen chicken drumsticks is easy and quick! let's get cooking!
Related: Frozen chicken thighs in air fryer, Frozen chicken breast in air fryer
Ingredients
Here are what you will need to make frozen drumsticks in air fryer:
Frozen Drumsticks
Paprika
Italian seasoning- Italian seasoning can be made with many spices and herbs. The one I have used in this recipe is prepared with garlic powder, red chili, and rosemary.
Garlic powder
Onion granules
Salt and pepper
Olive oil
Seasoning Variations
Some other seasonings I like to use on frozen chicken are:
Herbs de Provence
How To Cook Frozen Chicken Drumsticks In Air Fryer
Here is the step-by-step guide of cooking frozen chicken drumsticks in the air fryer:
Take out the frozen drumsticks from the freezer. Remove all packaging, and rinse the chicken with water to melt away any ice from the surface. Alternatively, you can thaw them for about 2-3 minutes in the air fryer at 365F. While this step is not mandatory, it's just one of those little tricks that I use to ensure none of the flavor from seasoning gets wasted.
Mix paprika, garlic powder, onion granules, salt and pepper, and Italian seasoning then add olive oil to the seasoning to turn it into a wet seasoning.
Rub the seasoning mix all over the drumsticks ensuring all the sides are covered in the seasoning mix.
Arrange the drumsticks in the fryer basket in a single layer so that each piece is spaced from the other.
Set the air fryer temperature to 400F/200C, and air fry frozen drumsticks for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches at least 165F/75C.
Also, remember to flip the drumsticks halfway through the total cooking time.
Take the chicken legs out of the fryer, and let them rest for 5 minutes.
Serve the drumsticks with your favorite dipping sauce or sprinkle them with any of your favorite seasonings.
How Long To Cook Frozen Chicken Drumsticks In Air Fryer
How long to air fry frozen chicken drumsticks is 30-35 minutes at a temperature of 400F/200C.
If you cook at a lower temperature, it will take longer to cook so adjust cooking time accordingly. The cooking time also depends on the size of the chicken.
The chicken legs are cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165F/75C. It is not safe to eat chicken not cooked to this internal temperature.
When cooked, the drumsticks will be tender inside, and crispy on the outside.
Remember to let the cooked drumsticks rest for a few minutes before serving so the juice inside has time to redistribute.
Serving Suggestion
Here are some recommendations of what to serve with it:
Veggies- Air fryer broccolini, Pan fried vegetables, Roasted carrots, air fryer vegetables.
Potatoes- Instant pot potatoes, fried potatoes, butter potatoes, pesto potatoes.
Rice- curry rice, instant pot rice and beans, Jollof rice
Pasta- spicy pasta, Veggie pasta, Spinach pasta
Others- Fried plantain, Fried yam, boiled sweet potatoes, fried sweet potatoes
How To Store and Reheat
If you have any leftover chicken drumsticks, let them completely cool then put them in an airtight container or Ziploc, then put in the fridge where they will stay good for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat, I recommend reheating in the air fryer, oven, or microwave.
Preheat the air fryer to 180C/360F and heat drumsticks for 5-6 minutes or until warmed through.
For oven- Put in a baking tray, and heat in the oven at 380F/190C for 8 minutes or until heated through to how you want it.
Microwave- Place on a microwavable plate and reheat for 1 minute on high settings then at 30-second intervals till warmed through to how you desire.
Tips
While following the steps mentioned above ensures your drumsticks come out great, the following tips absolutely guarantee it:
- Remove ice from the chicken's surface before brushing it with the seasoning mix. This will help the seasonings cling to the chicken as it cooks.
- Use an instant thermometer to check the chicken's internal temperature to ensure it's not undercooked. An internal temperature of at least 165F means the chicken is cooked.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. This could lead to uneven cooking, with some drumsticks ending up even raw. Instead, try cooking them in batches if necessary.
- Remember to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time. You don't want your chicken burned on one side and undercooked on the other.
- Please don't open the air fryer too often during cooking. It will result in significant heat escape and, hence, longer cooking time.
- Feel free to experiment. The seasonings mentioned in this recipe are the ones I like to use. You can use any of your favorite seasonings.
FAQs
Are drumsticks better in the oven or air fryer?
Cooking drumsticks in the air fryer takes about half an hour, which is significantly faster than the oven. The hot air circulating in the air fryer ensures the drumsticks crisp nicely.
Do you have to flip drumsticks when cooking in an air fryer?
Yes, you should flip drumsticks when cooking with an air fryer. Not doing so might result in uneven cooking, where one side of the drumstick will be overcooked and the other undercooked.
Does the air fryer make chicken dry?
Until you overcook it, air fryers are generally a great option for cooking a crispy, juicy chicken. Just ensure you monitor the temperature and don't overcook, and there's nothing to worry about.
More Frozen Foods In Air Fryer
Frozen Chicken Wings In Air Fryer
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Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 kg (2lb) Frozen chicken drumsticks
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon Onion granules
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning or Herbs de provence
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Take out the frozen drumsticks from the freezer. Remove all packaging, and rinse the chicken with water to melt away any ice from the surface. Alternatively, you can thaw them for about two minutes in the air fryer at 365F. While this step is not mandatory, it's just one of those little tricks that I use to ensure none of the flavor from seasoning gets wasted.
- Mix paprika, garlic powder, onion granules, salt and pepper, and Italian seasoning then add olive oil to the seasoning to turn it into a wet seasoning.
- Rub the seasoning mix all over the drumsticks ensuring all the sides are covered in the seasoning mix.
- Arrange the drumsticks in the fryer basket in a single layer so that each piece is spaced from the other.
- Set the air fryer temperature to 400F/200C, and air fry frozen drumsticks for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches at least 165F/75C. Also, remember to flip the drumsticks halfway through the total cooking time.
- Take the chicken legs out of the fryer, and let them rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve the drumsticks with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Remove ice from the chicken's surface before brushing it with the seasoning mix. This will help the seasonings cling to the chicken as it cooks.
- Use an instant thermometer to check the chicken's internal temperature to ensure it's not undercooked. An internal temperature of at least 165F means the chicken is cooked.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. This could lead to uneven cooking, with some drumsticks ending up even raw. Instead, try cooking them in batches if necessary.
- Remember to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time. You don't want your chicken burned on one side and undercooked on the other.
- Please don't open the air fryer too often during cooking. It might result in significant heat escape and, hence, longer cooking time.
- Feel free to experiment. The seasonings mentioned in this recipe are the ones I like to use. You can use any of your favorite seasonings.
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.
Very tasty
Good to know. Thanks for the feedback 🙂