Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

A simple seasoning blend and BBQ glaze turn these air fryer chicken drumsticks into the crispy, juicy dinner of your dreams in just minutes.

I’ve never understood why chicken breasts cost so much more than dark meat like thighs and drumsticks (or legs if that’s what you prefer to call them). Is it because they’re more in demand? Otherwise, it makes zero sense to me. Even the demand argument is hard to wrap my head around considering I’d take the juicy dark meat of a chicken drumstick over a sad, dried out chicken breast any day and I don’t understand people who don’t agree with that.

That said, I don’t buy drumsticks enough. They’re even more affordable than my go-to cut of thighs and it’s hard not to love the fun ability to eat these with your hands.

The air fryer hype has died down a bit from its peak a couple years ago and while I don’t pull mine out of the pantry much any more, I’m now using the air fryer setting on my oven instead, which works just as well.

No matter what type of air fryer you’re using, these are a no-brainer dinner option and here’s why you’ll love them:

• Quick and easy — That’s the whole point of the air fryer, isn’t it? These are cooked through in just 20 minutes.
• Crispy skin! — The skin on drumsticks “fry” up to the perfect crispy texture and the simple seasoning mixture makes each bite mouthwateringly delicious.
• Juicy — Drumsticks are hard to dry out. The dark meat of this cut ensures things stay nice and juicy.
• BBQ flair — The recipe has you brush the drumsticks halfway through for just a subtle sticky BBQ glaze that really makes these shine.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken drumsticks — You can also use this exact recipe on chicken leg quarters which is the thigh and drumstick still attached to each other.
• Seasoning mixture — We’re using a combination of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and fresh parsley.
• BBQ sauce — Choose your favorite one or make your own to lightly glaze the drumsticks. If you prefer your chicken with a dry rub, you can omit this. Clean up will be a little easier too.

How to Make Chicken Drumsticks in the Air Fryer

I’ve included process photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities though, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Don’t Have an Air Fryer?

You can bake these in the oven instead. If you have a convection setting, use that as it mimics air frying very closely. Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, but it’s still best to use an instant read thermometer to make sure the chicken reaches 165°F.

Storage and Reheating

Cooked drumsticks can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. I like to reheat them back in the air fryer at 350-375°F for a few minutes until warmed through. Don’t use the microwave. There’s nothing worse than soggy reheated chicken skin.

From oil sprays to muffin cups and from pizza pans to racks, we've got them all, and they make fantastic Christmas presents, too!

Serving Options

To keep with the simple approach of these air fryer chicken drumsticks, I usually go with a simple side salad, rice, baked potatoes or steamed veggies.

They’re also great with some more indulgent options like sweet potato mac and cheese, cheesy quinoa or roasted garlic mashed potatoes.

More Air Fryer Dinner Recipes

Don’t miss air fryer Cornish hens, air fryer frozen chicken breasts and air fryer buffalo chicken tenders if you want more ways to whip up quick chicken dinners for your family.