Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Golden and crispy on the outside, moist and tender on the inside—these air fryer chicken drumsticks are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Serve them up with your favorite side dishes for a meal you’ll be thinking about long after it’s gone.
My mom would have loved an air fryer but they weren’t invented when she passed in 2004. I think of her every time I use mine. I got my love for cooking from her and wish I could have shared these delicious air fryer chicken legs with her.
She loved drumsticks, especially chicken drumsticks. (We ate a lot of turkey drumsticks, too, growing up.) She would have enjoyed the flavor and chomping on the crispy skin and succulent meat. And she would have rejoiced over the seasonings.
And that you could get crispy skin without olive oil and that we air fry the chicken. That would have made her happy. I know it makes me happy.
It’s my favorite combination of herbs and spices. I use it a lot when cooking poultry.
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Helpful
Tips
- Don’t wash your poultry before cooking because it creates a higher risk of spreading bacteria around the sink, on the counters, and even on your hands. What I do is carefully remove the chicken from the packaging, pat it down with paper towels, and then discard them.
- My air fryer is the Instant Vortex Pro, which has two trays inside the oven that offer a lot of capacity. This recipe will also work in basket air fryers but you may have to cook the chicken in batches.
- My drumsticks are on the large size so they cooked for 22 minutes. If you have smaller drumsticks, check them after 20 minutes. The internal temperature should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If your chicken is below the 165 degree F mark, cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- If there are any leftovers, you can place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also store it in the freezer for up to three weeks.
How to make air fryer chicken drumsticks
Pre-step
Take out your air fryer and get a large mixing bowl.
Step one
Take out your chicken drumsticks and dry them with a paper towel. (A)
Step two
Get your herbs and spices – cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, tarragon, and kosher salt. (B)
Step three
Place the drumsticks in the large bowl. (C)
Step four
Add the herbs and spices. (D)
Step five
Use a rubber spatula to mix the herbs and spices with the chicken, making sure the drumsticks are covered. (E)
Step six
If you have a shelf-type of air fryer like I do, remove the shelves (or trays). If you have the basket type, just proceed as you normally would.
Pre-heat the air fryer on 380 degrees Fahrenheit and set the timer to 22 minutes.
Step seven
Add the chicken drumsticks on the trays in a single layer, positioning them so they don’t touch each other. (F)
Step eight
Insert the trays or put the drumsticks into the basket when the air fryer beeps to let you know it is time to add the food.
Step nine
At 11 minutes, it’s time to flip the drumsticks. With my kind of oven, flipping isn’t necessary. I just switch positions of the bottom shelf and the top shelf.
Step ten
When the timer beeps that the food is ready, take a thermometer and stick it in the thickest part of the chicken. It should read 165 degrees F when it is fully cooked.
See how crispy the skin looks on these air fryer drumsticks?
Can’t you just imagine biting into one of those drumsticks?
Time to serve them.
I hope you enjoyed this air fryer chicken drumstick recipe as much as hubby and I enjoyed eating them.
Other chicken recipes
And as always, may all your dishes be delish.
If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 6 chicken drumsticks (patted down with paper towels)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- .50 teaspoon onion powder
- .50 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon tarragon
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
Instructions
- Place chicken in a large mixing bowl.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, tarragon and cumin.
- Mix with a rubber spatula until all the drumsticks are coated.
- If you have a tray type of air fryer, remove before preheating. If you have the basket type, proceed as you normally would.
- Preheat air fryer on 380 F and set the timer to 22 minutes (see notes for smaller drumsticks).
- Place coated drumsticks on the trays. I alternate them so they don't touch.
- When the air fryer beeps that it is done preheating, add the trays to the oven. Or if you have the basket type, add food. Make sure the drumsticks are not touching and depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to do them in batches.
- At 11 minutes, turn the drumsticks over if you have the basket type. If you have the tray type like I do, place the top tray on the bottom and the bottom on the top.
- When the air fryer beeps that it is done, take a thermometer and stick it in the thickest part of the chicken. The drumsticks are done if the temperature reads 165 degrees F.
- Eat
- Smile
- Enjoy
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
- Don’t wash your poultry before cooking. The reason that you don’t is there is a higher risk of spreading bacteria around in the sink, on the counters and even on your hands. What I do is pat the chicken down with paper towels and then discard them.
- My air fryer is the Instant Vortex Pro and is a tray kind of fryer. This recipe will also work in the basket type but you may have to do it in batches.
- My drumsticks are on the large size so they cooked for 22 minutes. If you have smaller drumsticks, check them after 20 minutes. The internal temperature should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If your chicken is below the 165 degree F mark, cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Nutrition
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
I happen to think drums are the best part of the chicken. I love my air fryer. This will be a hit for dinner any night of the week.
Thanks Gloria! I love drums too! I hope you enjoy it when you try it!
OMG! This recipe looks so delicious. Fried chicken drumsticks is one of my son’s favorite meals. I love specially the herbs and spices in this recipe! Definitely making this recipe soon!
You’re going to love it Natalia!! Thanks for your comment.
I think I need to change the menu for tonight’s dinner. This air fryer chicken drumsticks looks absolutely delicious and I am so excited to taste this.
Hehe. Thanks, Dennis. I hope you enjoy it when you try it.
Making drumsticks in the air fryer so easy! The coating on these add tons of flavor too.
Thanks so much Sharon. I’m glad you commented and told me.
Air fryers always remind me of my sister in law because she is infatuated with hers. I can see why…these chicken drumsticks look absolutely perfect! Thanks for mentioning what kind of air fryer you have, I’m still doing research on what brand I want.
You’re going to love the air fryer when you get it. I’m like your sister in law! There are a lot of great brands out there Bernice! Thanks for your comment.
I love any excuse to use my air fryer and this is the perfect recipe to try out for dinner tonight!
Yay! Thanks Tristin! I hope you enjoy it.
These drumsticks were a hit! I love that they just needed to be seasoned with herbs, no breading, and quickly whipped up in the air fryer. Thanks Elaine!
I’m so glad to hear that Aleta! I love making things without breading! 🙂
I have drumsticks ready to go right now. I can’t wait to make them. I haven’t done so in my air fryer up to this point – I was a bit hesitant about them getting done and tasting good. Your explanation and tips are great!! I know they’ll taste fantastic.
Thanks Marisa! I love the drumsticks in the air fryer. They come out so moist and delicious! I hope you enjoy them too.