I discovered these air fryer chicken drumsticks on one of those weeknights when everyone was hungry and I had exactly 20 minutes to pull dinner together. The skin gets so crispy it sounds like crackling when you bite into it, while the meat stays perfectly juicy inside. Trust me, after making these dozens of times, my kids now ask for “the crispy chicken” at least twice a week!
Table of contents
The Best Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Crispy-skinned, juicy air fryer chicken drumsticks with a simple spice blend that's ready in 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 4 skin-on chicken drumsticks
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
- Mix garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Pat drumsticks dry and optionally coat lightly with mayonnaise.
- Season drumsticks evenly with spice mixture.
- Place in air fryer basket and cook 10 minutes.
- Flip drumsticks and cook another 10 minutes.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- The mayonnaise trick helps spices stick and creates extra crispy skin.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket for best results.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 194Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 117mgSodium: 376mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 22g
Nutrition info is an estimate based on typical ingredients and portions - I calculate these to give you a helpful starting point! For specific dietary needs or accurate counts, I recommend double-checking with your favorite nutrition app or talking to a health professional. You can read more about my approach to nutrition info at notetherecipe.com/disclaimer
What You’ll Need
This recipe keeps things simple with pantry staples you probably already have:
- 4 skin-on chicken drumsticks
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (optional, but I highly recommend it)
- Air fryer (any size works)
- Meat thermometer
Detailed Cooking Instructions
Time needed: 25 minutes
Simple air fryer chicken drumsticks with crispy skin and juicy meat.
- Preheat and season
Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Mix garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Prepare drumsticks
Pat drumsticks completely dry with paper towels. Lightly coat with mayonnaise if using, then sprinkle spice mixture evenly over all sides.
- First cook
Place drumsticks in air fryer basket in single layer. Cook for 10 minutes without opening the basket.
- Flip and finish
Carefully flip drumsticks with tongs and cook another 10 minutes until skin is golden and crispy.
- Rest and serve
Let drumsticks rest 5 minutes before serving. Check that internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Tips & Tricks
- Pat those drumsticks completely dry with paper towels – I learned this the hard way after making soggy chicken more times than I care to admit! Dry skin equals crispy skin.
- The mayonnaise trick might sound weird, but trust me on this one. I started doing it after watching my neighbor’s kids demolish her “secret recipe” chicken, and it makes all the difference for crispy skin.
- Don’t crowd the basket – I used to try fitting all six drumsticks in at once until I realized they cook way better with space between them. Cook in batches if you’re feeding a crowd.
- Living in New Orleans taught me that humidity affects everything, including how spices stick to chicken. If your kitchen is humid, let the seasoned drumsticks sit in the fridge for 30 minutes first.
- My 12-year-old is obsessed with extra-crispy skin, so if yours aren’t crispy enough, just cook for another 2-3 minutes. Don’t worry if they look a little darker – that’s where all the flavor is!
You Might Also Like
These drumsticks pair perfectly with so many dishes! If you’re looking for more family favorites, try my blueberry cottage cheese breakfast bake for weekend mornings, or treat the kids to my easy edible cookie dough after dinner. And when summer hits New Orleans hard, nothing beats my no-bake summer berry icebox cake to cool everyone down!
Frequently Asked Questions
The best method is to season them well, cook at 400°F for 10 minutes, flip, then cook another 10 minutes. Always pat them dry first and don’t overcrowd the basket.
Cook drumsticks for 20 minutes total at 400°F – 10 minutes on each side. Always check that they reach 165°F internal temperature.
Yes, flip them once halfway through cooking for even browning and crispiness on all sides. Use tongs to avoid piercing the skin.
Yes, but add 5-7 extra minutes to the total cooking time and make sure they reach 165°F internal temperature before serving.
Variations & Add-Ins
- BBQ style: Replace paprika with BBQ seasoning and brush with barbecue sauce during the last 3 minutes of cooking.
- Cajun kick: Add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper and 1/4 teaspoon oregano to the spice mix for that New Orleans heat I love.
- Garlic parmesan: Mix 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan with the spice blend and finish with fresh minced garlic.
- Asian-inspired: Use soy sauce instead of mayo coating and season with garlic powder, ginger powder, and a pinch of five-spice.
- Herb crusted: Add dried thyme, rosemary, and sage to the basic seasoning for a more sophisticated flavor.
Dietary Notes
| Diet | Friendly? | Adjustments |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-Free | Yes | Naturally gluten-free as written |
| Dairy-Free | Yes | Skip the mayo or use vegan mayo |
| Vegan | No | Try air fryer cauliflower or tofu instead |
| Keto | Yes | Perfect as is – high fat, zero carbs |
| Nut-Free | Yes | No nuts used in this recipe |
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Fridge: Store cooked drumsticks up to 4 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months in freezer bags – they reheat beautifully from frozen.
- Thawing: Thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture, or reheat directly from frozen.
- Reheat: Air fry at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness, or microwave for 60-90 seconds if you’re in a hurry.
- Make-ahead tip: Season the drumsticks and store them in the fridge up to 24 hours before cooking for even better flavor.
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