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Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

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Crispy-skinned, juicy chicken drumsticks cooked entirely in the air fryer with a simple spice rub — no flour, no breadcrumbs, no oven needed. Ready in about 40 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 chicken drumsticks (approximately 3–4 oz each), skin on
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp honey (optional, for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Place drumsticks on a cutting board and press paper towels firmly against every surface, including the underside near the joint, until completely dry. Toss with olive oil, then coat evenly with the combined spices, working the seasoning into the skin.
  2. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
  3. Arrange drumsticks in a single layer in the basket with at least ½ inch of space between each piece. Cook in two batches if your air fryer is small.
  4. Cook at 400°F for 13 minutes. Open the basket, flip each drumstick with tongs, and cook for another 12–17 minutes until the skin is deep golden brown and visibly taut. If using honey glaze, brush it on with 3–4 minutes remaining.
  5. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part away from the bone and confirm it reads at least 165°F (74°C). Rest uncovered for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat dry twice: After the initial pat, let drumsticks rest uncovered on a wire rack in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes before cooking for dramatically crispier skin.

Don’t over-oil: Use only about 1 tbsp for 8 drumsticks — excess oil pools and creates steam rather than crispiness.

Baking powder trick: Add ¼ tsp aluminum-free baking powder to the dry spice mix to accelerate browning and maximize crunch.

Never crowd the basket: Stacked or touching pieces trap steam on adjacent surfaces. Two shorter batches beat one overcrowded batch.

Use a thermometer: Air fryer wattage varies by model; always verify doneness by internal temperature (165°F minimum, 170–175°F preferred for fall-off-the-bone texture) rather than relying on timing alone.

Find it online: https://airfrycentral.com/air-fryer-chicken-drumsticks/