Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

Overhead view of air fried chicken drumsticks in an air fryer basket.

4.74 from 15 votes

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

These easy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks always turn out super juicy, with crispy seasoned skin, and are on the table in less than 30 minutes!

Prep Time5

Cook Time22

Total Time27

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: General

Total Cost: $3.10 recipe / $0.62 serving

Servings: pieces

Calories: 329kcal

Author: Marsha McDougal

Equipment

Air Fryer
Meat Thermometer

Ingredients

1 tsp smoked paprika $0.10
½ tsp garlic powder $0.05
¼ tsp onion powder $0.03
½ tsp dried oregano $0.05
½ tsp salt $0.02
¼ tsp black pepper freshly cracked, $0.05
⅛ tsp cayenne pepper optional, $0.02*
2 lbs. chicken drumsticks about 5-6 pieces, $2.54**
1½ Tbsp olive oil $0.24

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. Combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Place the chicken drumsticks in a bowl and drizzle the oil over top. Sprinkle the prepared seasoning over the drumsticks, then toss until they're evenly coated in oil and spices.
Place the seasoned drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure no pieces overlap. Air fry for 12 minutes on the first side. Flip the drumsticks over and air fry for another 10 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 175°F.*** Serve hot with your favorite sides and enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Video

Notes

*I did not add any cayenne pepper to my seasoning mix, but if you like a little bit of heat go ahead and mix it in! You can also switch out the seasoning blend I use here for your favorite store bought or homemade mix. See the seasoning variations section below for more flavors to try!

**I went for drumsticks with the bone-in and skin-on. Chicken drumsticks often come in packs of 5 or 6 pieces depending on how many pounds it weighs. My drumsticks were pretty big. This recipe will work with 5 or 6 drumsticks (about 2 lbs. total), depending on the size of your air fryer basket.

***Drumsticks can vary a lot in size, and different air fryer models can cook slightly faster or slower, so use the cooking time as a guide and check for doneness with a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest, meatiest part of the drumstick without touching the bone. Chicken is safe to eat at 165°F, but I aim for 175°F for extra tender dark meat.

Nutrition

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