Air fryer drumsticks are one of the easiest weeknight dinners you can make. All you need is chicken legs, olive oil, and a handful of spices and you’ve got a delicious recipe. Perfectly cooked chicken, crispy skin, and a dry rub that’ll knock your socks off-dinner never looked so good.
Need a quick and easy dinner the whole family will love? If so, then you have GOT to try this super crispy air fryer chicken drumsticks recipe. This is a great recipe for those new to air frying since they’re hard to over cook, but it’s also just a great meal for anyone to have in their back pocket since it’s just SO good. Crispy skin, juicy chicken, and the best part -a powerhouse of a seasoning blend. This is easily a dinner that the whole family will love.
Speaking of family, mine was more than happy when I was testing this one. We usually make buffalo chicken legs, which has been a long time family favorite, but these crispy chicken drumsticks are seriously incredible, and might become your new favorite as well! I like serving them with broccoli, brussels sprouts, carrot fries, or sometimes my Cajun potato salad for a delicious and astonishingly easy weeknight dinner.
WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- Healthy, easy weeknight dinner
- Only a few simple ingredients
- Easy clean up, only one dish is needed!
- Crispy, juicy chicken legs
- Drumsticks are hard to overcook, so this recipe is great for beginners!
INGREDIENTS FOR AIR FRYER DRUMSTICKS
- Drumsticks: also known as chicken legs, this part of the chicken is super juicy and hard to overcook
- Olive oil: The little bit of oil helps to ensure the skin gets very crispy and delicious
- Spices: Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, and a pinch of cayenne pepper blend together beautifully to make the most incredible, mouth-watering seasoning
HOW TO MAKE DRUMSTICKS IN THE AIR FRYER
- Put the drumsticks into a large bowl and season with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Use your hands to mix them around until the legs are fully coated in the seasoning
- Place seasoned chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket being sure there’s a little space between one for air to circulate
- Cook at 380 degrees f for 10 minutes, flip the legs then cook them for 10 more minutes
- Let the air fryer chicken legs rest for 3-4 minutes before serving, then enjoy
MORE EASY DINNER RECIPES
SEASONING VARIATIONS
If you want something different, swap out my seasoning blend for one of these ideas!
- Taco seasoning
- Chili lime
- Cajun
- Lemon pepper
Or try seasoning with only salt and pepper and toss in your favorite sauce after these crispy chicken legs are done cooking! You could try:
EXPERT TIPS
- For extra crispy skin, pat the drumsticks dry with a paper towel before seasoning
- Both chicken legs and chicken thighs should both be cooked to an internal temperature of 170 degrees f. Use a meat thermometer if you're nervous
- Be sure to flip the legs halfway through the cook time to ensure even cooking
- Use 2 teaspoons of your favorite seasoning if you want something different
- Make sure the drumsticks aren’t touching in the air fryer basket, they need the hot air to circulate in order to achieve the crispiest skin
- Cook time will depend on the size of the drumstick. Larger ones may need 1-2 more minutes of cooking time
FAQs
- How do I store leftovers? Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- What’s the best way to reheat the drumsticks? Reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees f for 5-6 minutes.
- What temperature do chicken legs need to be cooked to? You want to cook both chicken legs and thighs to an internal temperature of 170 degrees f.
- Can I cook frozen chicken legs? Yes, you can! You’ll cook frozen ones for 13-14 minutes per side.
Did you happen to make these air fryer drumsticks for dinner tonight? If you did, I would greatly appreciate you leaving a comment and star rating down below. In addition, you can also follow me on Instagram @coleinthekitchen and tag me if you make this or any other of my easy recipes.
PrintEasy Air Fryer Drumsticks: Crispy, Juicy, Incredible
These air fryer drumsticks are a quick, easy, and healthy weeknight dinner. Crispy skin, juicy chicken, and a mouthwatering seasoning blend, it's a dinner the whole family will love.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3 Servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 6 Chicken Drumsticks
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Paprika
- ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- ½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ Teaspoon Cumin
- ¼ Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
Instructions
- Put drumsticks into a large bowl and season with olive oil, salt, paprika, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper
- Use you hands to mix it well until chicken is fully coated in spices.
- Place seasoned drumsticks in a single layer in the basket of your air fryer, being sure to leave space between them.
- Cook at 380 degrees f for 20 minutes, flipping half-way through.
- Let the drumsticks rest for 3-4 minutes then serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Calories calculated are an estimate
- For extra crispy skin, pat the drumsticks dry with a paper towel before seasoning
- Both chicken legs and chicken thighs should both be cooked to an internal temperature of 170 degrees f. Use a meat thermometer if you're nervous
- Be sure to flip the legs halfway through the cook time to ensure even cooking
- Use 2 teaspoons of your favorite seasoning if you want something different
- Make sure the drumsticks aren’t touching in the air fryer basket, they need the hot air to circulate in order to achieve the crispiest skin
- Cook time will depend on the size of the drumstick. Larger ones may need 1-2 more minutes of cooking time
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350 F for 5-6 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 400
Keywords: chicken legs in the air fryer, crispy air fryer chicken, easy air fryer dinner recipes
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