Chicken drumsticks are one of our favorite things to cook in the air fryer. They are super easy to prepare and come out perfect every time! Plus, they come with a built-in handle, ready to dip into your favorite sauce. How long it takes: 25 minutes Equipment you’ll need: air fryer, tongs, food thermometer Servings: 3
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Easy. It takes mere minutes to throw everything together, then your air fryer does all the work. Flavorful. Every bite of these tender chicken legs has the ideal balance of crispy, yet juicy. Affordable. Chicken drumsticks are very economical, often selling for ninety-nine cents a pound. Healthy. Drumsticks are a good source of protein and are a perfect choice for those of you following low-carb, keto, or Whole30 plans.
I love to cook chicken thighs, chicken wings, and chicken breasts in the air fryer too. Basically, I’m a big fan of letting my air fryer to all the heavy lifting for me in the kitchen!
How Long Do Chicken Drumsticks Take In The Air Fryer?
Twenty minutes! It does depend on the size of the chicken leg and how crowded the rack is. In general, the cooking time is usually twenty minutes: ten minutes, flip, and ten more minutes. Don’t overcrowd. For best results, allow a little space between the drumsticks. You may have to cook them in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165°F, and juices should run clear when pierced with a fork. For chicken leg quarters: If you’re cooking leg quarters (thigh attached to drumstick), the cooking time will increase slightly. You can gauge whether your chicken quarters are done by using an instant read thermometer. Here also, you’re looking for 165°F and clear juices.
Adding Flavor to Chicken Legs
One of the best things about this air fryer recipe is how simple it is to customize it using a variety of seasoning mixes. This recipe uses a mixture of paprika (sweet or smoked), garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. It’s a basic seasoning that goes well on almost any type of chicken. If you’ve made a batch of my all purpose seasoning, you can substitute that. Here are some more ideas for ways to flavor your drumsticks:
Barbecue rub: A homemade blend of dark brown sugar, salt, pepper, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, celery seed, and cayenne pepper. Taco seasoning: Try making your own with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, oregano, and paprika. Southwest spice blend is another good choice. Cajun seasoning: We love this Cajun blend (and it’s not too spicy!). Hot Sauce + Bleu Cheese: Turn these into buffalo drumsticks by tossing the drumsticks with your favorite hot sauce and serving with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks. Dipping sauces: These are perfect with chicken drumsticks. BBQ sauce, hot sauce, fry sauce, or ranch dressing are popular choices.
What Goes With Air Fryer Chicken Legs?
I personally love serving air fryer chicken with crockpot mashed potatoes or a loaded mashed potato casserole. I also love this Instant Pot mashed potatoes recipe, which is so creamy and totally effortless to make. You also can’t go wrong with some simple frozen french fries cooked in the oven while your air fryer does its thing. Want to serve something green on the side? This roasted broccoli recipe comes out perfect every time. Fattoush salad is also amazing with air fryer chicken drumsticks.
How to Store & Reheat Extra Drumsticks
Refrigerate/Freeze: Let your chicken cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it in a freezer-safe, airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Reheat: You can eat cooked chicken drumsticks cold, picnic style, or you can reheat them first. I recommend placing single servings in the microwave for about 1 minute or until the chicken reaches the desired temperature. You can also reheat them briefly in an air fryer heated to 350F, until they’re hot. Interested in a weekly meal plan (it’s free!) that includes this air fryer chicken recipe? Take a look at my Meal Plan #41. You’ll find a wholesome recipe for each weekday plus a categorized grocery list. Let me do the planning for you this week! We’ll be adding a new meal plan weekly. If you’re interested, browse all of our meal plans.
