Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Juicy chicken drumsticks with a crackly, paprika-kissed crust—made in the air fryer for a hands-off weeknight win. This recipe keeps things simple, flavorful, and reliably crispy without deep-frying.
Ingredients
- 8 bone-in chicken drumsticks, skin on
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels. Dry skin helps the coating get crisp.
- Toss drumsticks with olive oil in a large bowl until they’re lightly coated.
- In a small bowl, whisk paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne if using.
- Sprinkle the spice mix over the drumsticks. Toss again to coat evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Arrange the drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Don't overcrowd; they need space to crisp.
- Cook for 10 minutes, then flip and cook another 8–10 minutes, until the internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy.
- If the skin isn’t as crisp as you’d like, cook for 2–3 more minutes, checking often.
- Let rest for a couple of minutes before serving. That helps the juices settle and keeps the meat tender.