These Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks deliver the perfect combination of crispy skin and juicy meat in just 25 minutes. With only 185 calories per serving and 7g of protein, they make an ideal weeknight dinner option that’s both healthy and satisfying.
The hour-long prep ensures the flavors penetrate deep into the meat, resulting in drumsticks that are deliciously seasoned from the inside out. Your family will think these drumsticks spent hours in a traditional oven.
Ingredients Section
- Chicken Drumsticks: 8-12 pieces of fresh drumsticks, ideal for air frying and packed with protein
- Marinade: A flavorful blend of seasoning (mix as per preference for optimal taste)
Instructions Section
- Prepare Marinade: Combine your chosen marinade ingredients in a spacious bowl until well blended
- Marinate Chicken: Coat the drumsticks thoroughly in the marinade mixture, ensuring even coverage
- Resting Period: Place covered bowl in refrigerator for minimum 1 hour, or overnight for deeper flavor penetration
- Air Frying Time: Cook for 25 minutes until golden and crispy (recommended cook time for optimal results)
Additional Information
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes (including marination)
- Serving Size: 2 pieces per portion
- Nutritional Highlights: 185 calories per serving, 30g carbohydrates, 7g protein
Marinating Tips
Want the most flavorful chicken drumsticks? Let them marinate overnight if you can – this gives the flavors plenty of time to work their magic! If you’re short on time, even 1 hour will add great taste. Keep your marinating chicken on the bottom shelf of your fridge to prevent any drips onto other foods. Give the container a gentle shake or flip the drumsticks halfway through marinating for the most even flavor.
Air Fryer Success Tips
For the crispiest results, don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket – leave some space between each drumstick so the hot air can circulate freely. A single layer works best! Pat your drumsticks dry with paper towels before cooking to help achieve that gorgeous golden-brown exterior. If you’re cooking a full batch of 12 drumsticks, you’ll likely need to cook them in 2-3 batches depending on your air fryer size.
Serving Ideas
These tasty drumsticks are perfect for both casual weeknight dinners and fun weekend gatherings! Try them with classic sides like coleslaw, corn on the cob, or a fresh green salad. They’re also great for picnics and game day parties since they taste amazing hot or cold. For a complete meal, add some air fryer potato wedges or sweet potato fries – you can cook these right after your chicken using the same air fryer!
Storage and Reheating
Keep any leftover drumsticks in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes – this brings back that wonderful crispy exterior! You can also enjoy them cold straight from the fridge for an easy lunch. Just remember to never leave cooked chicken at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 8-12 pieces chicken drumsticks
Instructions
- Whisk together the marinade ingredients in a large bowl.
- Add the chicken legs to the bowl and toss to coat.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight.
