Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Crisp, juicy and rubbed with a flavorful bbq chicken rub, these Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks will be your new quick and easy dinner or game day snack! They take just a few minutes to prep and they’re on the table in about 30 minutes!
When it comes to quick and easy dinners, it doesn’t get better than these Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks! They’re crisp, juicy and seasoned to perfection with my homemade bbq rub.
I used my trusty air fryer to cook the drumsticks because it cooks my air fryer chicken breast and air fryer hamburgers to crisp and juicy perfection every single time!
It’s such an easy, healthier way to cook. There are no messy spatters while food is cooking, there’s no need to run outside to the grill to check on things, and little or no fat is needed to get my food golden brown and crispy.
If you want to see everything an air fryer can do or you simply want more recipe ideas, be sure to see my collection of Air Fryer Recipes!
Table of contents
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Air fryer drumsticks are a golden brown, juicy and seasoned to perfection with an easy, homemade bbq rub.
- They take just a few of minutes of prep and they’re ready in about 30 minutes.
- Drumsticks are an affordable dinner or game day snack that’s high in protein and great served with your favorite sides or dipping sauce.
- Cooking drumsticks in the air fryer means there are no messy spatters so clean up is a breeze!
Recipe ingredients
There are just a few simple ingredients included in this air fryer chicken drumsticks recipe, and the seasoning can be easily changed up to keep things exciting!
Ingredient notes
- Chicken drumsticks. This recipe calls for 2 1/2 lbs. of drumsticks, or 6-8 depending on their size. Cooking time will vary based on their size.
- Oil. I like to use a bit of olive oil to promote browning and help the rub to adhere. There is no need to use a high heat oil such as avocado oil as we’re cooking the drumsticks at a temperature of 375 degrees.
- Seasoning. I used my homemade bbq rub for this recipe, but you can certainly use your favorite seasoning or rub. My jerk seasoning and blackened seasoning are great choices as well!
- Parsley. This is totally optional, but it adds a pop of color to the plate for serving.
How to cook drumsticks in air fryer
Cooking drumsticks in the air fryer is so incredibly quick and easy that you may never prepare them any other way again. They take about 5 minutes of prep and they cook up very quickly!
Pro tip: The cooking time will vary based on the size of your drumsticks. All air fryers vary, so be sure to check for doneness after 12 minutes to be on the safe side.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- Coat the drumsticks lightly with oil. This will help the seasoning to adhere to them and promote browning.
- Rub the chicken drumsticks evenly with the bbq rub.
- Place the drumsticks in the air fryer in an even layer.
- Cook at 375 for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown, crispy and a thermometer inserted into the thickest part without touching bone registers at 175 degrees.
FAQs
You can safely use olive oil in this air fryer drumstick recipe as they’re cooked at a lower temperature of 375 degrees.
The drumsticks should be air fried in a single layer to ensure that they cook evenly and get nice and crispy. If you have a smaller air fryer, this means you will more than likely need to cook them in batches. If you have a larger toaster oven sized air fryer, they should all fit at once.
Cook drumsticks at 375 degrees for about 15-18 minutes. Smaller drumsticks will take about 15 minutes and larger ones about 18 minutes. All air fryers vary, so I recommend checking for doneness after 12 minutes and going from there.
Chicken drumsticks should be cooked to a temperature of 175 degrees. To check for temperature, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat without touching bone. When done, allow to rest for 5-10 minutes.
Serving suggestions
There are so many delicious ways to serve up these air fryer chicken drumsticks. See below for some tasty ideas!
- Serve with a side of baked sweet potatoes or stove top mac and cheese for a comforting dinner.
- They make a great low carb meal served with butter lettuce salad or vinegar coleslaw.
- Drumsticks are great for game day served with a dipping sauce such as Greek tzatziki, green goddess dressing or Greek yogurt ranch dressing. Simply change up your seasoning to compliment your dipping sauce!
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: The cooking time will vary based on the size of your drumsticks. All air fryers vary, so be sure to check for doneness after 12 minutes.
- You will more than likely have to cook the drumsticks in (2) batches. This will depend on the size and type of your air fryer.
- Change things up with my jerk seasoning, blackened seasoning, or your favorite store bought seasonings or rubs.
- Store air fryer drumsticks in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
More air fryer recipes you’ll love
- Air fryer bacon
- Air fryer bbq chicken
- Air fryer chicken sandwich by Skinnytaste
- Air fryer chicken wings
- Air fryer meatballs
- Air fryer pork chops
- Air fryer salmon
- Air fryer shrimp
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 lbs. chicken legs about 6-8 depending on their size
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon bbq chicken rub
Instructions
- Allow the chicken drumsticks to come to room temperature to ensure that they cook evenly. Blot them dry with a paper towel, then brush lightly with the oil.2 1/2 lbs. chicken legs
- Season the drumsticks evenly to coat with the bbq chicken rub.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon bbq chicken rub
- Place the chicken drumsticks in the air fryer in an even layer (it's ok if the bones overlap slightly), and cook at 375 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the leg registers 175 degrees. All air fryers vary, so check for doneness after 12 minutes. Smaller legs will take roughly 15 minutes and larger legs will take about 18 minutes. Allow the drumsticks to rest 5-10 minutes before serving and enjoy!2 1/2 lbs. chicken legs
Notes
- Pro tip: The cooking time will vary based on the size of your drumsticks. All air fryers vary, so be sure to check for doneness after 12 minutes.
- You will more than likely have to cook the drumsticks in (2) batches. This will depend on the size and type of your air fryer.
- Change things up with my jerk seasoning, blackened seasoning, or your favorite store bought seasonings or rubs.
- Store air fryer drumsticks in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
