Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks (25 Minutes!)
These crispy air fryer chicken drumsticks are golden outside, juicy inside, and done in 25 minutes with no breading and no deep frying. The easiest weeknight chicken dinner!
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Air Fryer
- Mixing Bowls
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chicken drumsticks about 6- 8 drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- Chopped fresh parsley to garnish
- Lemon wedges to serve
Instructions
- Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps the skin crisp up in the air fryer.
- Place the drumsticks in a large bowl. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and toss to coat.
- In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and baking powder.
- Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the drumsticks and toss until evenly coated.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Arrange the drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for air circulation.
- Cook for 22–25 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking, until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 175°F–185°F.
- Transfer the drumsticks to a serving platter. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Pat the chicken completely dry before seasoning for the crispiest skin.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket because proper airflow is the key to crispy results.
- Flip the drumsticks halfway through cooking so they brown evenly on all sides.
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken reaches the proper temperature.
- Let the drumsticks rest for a few minutes before serving to keep them juicy.
