When I’m on a tight budget, chicken drumsticks are usually my go-to for dinner. They’re inexpensive and can easily be purchased in small quantities or in a large package. Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks are, however, a new favorite of mine. Not only do they cook quickly in the air fryer, but the skin also gets a tad bit crispy while the meat stays juicy and tender, which I love. Add this recipe to your rotation when you need a quick meal on those busy weeknights!😉
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“I made this recipe for the second time tonight because my husband loves it. This recipe is so easy and simple and calls for ingredients I always have on hand. Thank you! This one is going into my saved folder. 😊”
Tatum
A Faster Way to Cook Drumsticks
This recipe is very similar to our baked chicken drumsticks recipe, except it cooks in almost half the time it takes to bake in an oven. I also used the same seasoning blend minus the cayenne pepper because my family doesn’t do spice, but feel free to keep the cayenne in if you like a little heat. I love using my air fryer where possible, especially if my oven is already in use. Not to mention, it can work out much cheaper than using the oven. This means I can make my family’s favorite chicken drumsticks in less time AND save a bit of money in the process!
Chicken drumsticks are different from chicken leg quarters, as the legs include both the drumstick and the thigh. If you prefer thigh meat over drumsticks, I recommend you check out our recipe for air fryer chicken thighs instead.
Recipe Success Tips
- Preheat your air fryer! You wouldn’t use your oven without preheating it (I hope!!), and the same concept applies to your air fryer. Preheating ensures that your food cooks evenly and at the right temperature.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. If you have a smaller air fryer, you might need to cook in batches.
- Check your chicken is done using a meat thermometer. Chicken drumsticks are safe to eat once the internal temperature reaches 165°F, but bone-in dark meat is best cooked to a slightly higher temperature. I try and aim for 175°F. This ensures that the meat is cooked through and any connective tissue has had a chance to break down, making the chicken extra tender and juicy. Be careful not to hit the bone with the thermometer, as it can give an inaccurate reading.
- Keep drumstick size in mind. The drumsticks I used were pretty large, with the 2 lb. package containing 5 drumsticks. If your 2 lb. pack has more drumsticks than mine, they may cook a little faster since they’re likely smaller. In this case, I’d use the cook time as a guide and check for doneness around the 18-minute mark instead.
Money Saving Ideas!
The bigger 4-5 lbs. packs of chicken drumsticks can work out cheaper per piece than the 1-2 lbs. packs. If you have the freezer space, go for the larger pack and split it into smaller portions for later use. Or, to save even more money, buy a pack of FROZEN chicken drumsticks and thaw them in the fridge overnight before using. Frozen is often cheaper than fresh, and the chicken will still turn out great in the air fryer! I recommend patting them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture before air frying.
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Cost $3.10 recipe / $0.62 serving
Ingredients
- 1 tsp smoked paprika ($0.10)
- ½ tsp garlic powder ($0.05)
- ¼ tsp onion powder ($0.03)
- ½ tsp dried oregano ($0.05)
- ½ tsp salt ($0.02)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (freshly cracked, $0.05)
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, $0.02*)
- 2 lbs. chicken drumsticks (about 5-6 pieces, $2.54**)
- 1½ Tbsp olive oil ($0.24)
Video
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. Combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Place the chicken drumsticks in a bowl and drizzle the oil over top. Sprinkle the prepared seasoning over the drumsticks, then toss until they’re evenly coated in oil and spices.
- Place the seasoned drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure no pieces overlap. Air fry for 12 minutes on the first side. Flip the drumsticks over and air fry for another 10 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 175°F.*** Serve hot with your favorite sides and enjoy!
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @budgetbytes or tag #budgetbytes on Instagram!how to make Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks step-by-step Videos
Make the seasoning mix: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF. While it heats, add 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper to a small bowl and stir until the spices are evenly mixed. If you like a little heat, add ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper, too.
Season the chicken: Place 2 lbs. chicken drumsticks (about 5-6 pieces) in a large bowl and drizzle with 1½ Tbsp olive oil. If the chicken is very wet from the package, pat it dry with paper towels first so the oil and seasoning can cling to the skin. Now sprinkle the prepared seasoning mix over the chicken.
Use clean hands or kitchen tongs to toss the drumsticks until they’re evenly coated in the oil and spices. You want the seasoning to cover all sides of the chicken, including around the bottom and along the sides of each drumstick.
Air fry the chicken drumsticks: Place the seasoned drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure the pieces are not overlapping and leave a little room between them so the hot air can circulate. Air fry for 12 minutes on the first side.
Flip the chicken: After 12 minutes, use tongs to flip the drumsticks over. The first side should already look lightly browned and a crisp in spots. Air fry for another 10 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 175°F. Using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature is the best way to ensure the chicken is fully cooked.
If your drumsticks are extra large, add a few more minutes and check again. If they’re on the smaller side, check them after 6 minutes instead of 10 minutes.
Serve: Remove the air fried chicken drumsticks from the basket and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This gives the juices a chance to settle back into the meat. Serve hot with your favorite sides and enjoy!
Seasoning Variations to Try
I like the simple mix of seasonings I use on these air fryer chicken drumsticks. It’s just enough to add flavor without overpowering the natural taste of the chicken. But you can easily switch the seasonings or use a pre-made mix for a different taste! Here are some ideas I think you’ll love:
- Fajita seasoning: Adds a smoky flavor that’s great with rice, beans, or a simple salad.
- Poultry seasoning: This is a mixed spice blend found in most grocery stores. I use this seasoning when I want these drumsticks to taste like a whole roasted chicken, but without the oven time. 😉
- Cajun seasoning: Adds bold, savory spice with a little heat.
- Creole seasoning: Similar to Cajun seasoning, but a little more herb-forward. I swear by Tony Chachere’s!
- Lemon pepper seasoning: Adds tangy flavor with a peppery kick. This is great when you want something that tastes bright.
- BBQ seasoning blend: Gives the drumsticks a sweet, smoky flavor without needing to brush on sauce.
- Jerk seasoning: Adds warm spices, heat, and a little sweetness.
- Garlic herb seasoning: Keeps the flavor savory and family-friendly!
- Taco seasoning: Adds a bold Tex-Mex flavor that’s great with rice, corn, salsa, or a quick slaw.
Serving Suggestions
All together, these easy air fryer chicken drumsticks are a super simple way to prepare chicken legs for those busy weeknights. I served mine with a simple side salad in the photo above as a quick and healthy dinner option. But I think they’d be delicious served with mac and cheese, steamed veggies, or even potato salad (perfect for a picnic!). My family also likes it when I serve them with a dipping sauce. BBQ sauce is our favorite!
Storage & Reheating
Once cooled, leftover air fryer chicken drumsticks can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days. I like to let them cool just enough that they’re no longer steaming before packing them up, so extra moisture doesn’t build up in the container and soften the skin.
Reheating
To reheat, place the drumsticks back in an air fryer preheated to 360ºF, or the recommended reheating setting for your specific air fryer, until heated through. You can also reheat them in the oven. The microwave works in a pinch, but the skin will be much softer. Reheat leftover chicken until it reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
Freezing
You can also freeze cooked chicken drumsticks for 2-3 months. Let them cool completely, then store them in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as above.
Love Chicken Drumsticks? Try These Recipes Next:
- These Baked Chicken Drumsticks use pantry spices, a little oil, and the oven for an easy dinner that still tastes bold and smoky.
- Our take on Chicken Adobo simmers bone-in chicken in a tangy soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, honey, bay leaf, and peppercorn marinade.
- I’d serve Ranch Chicken Drumsticks with roasted broccoli, green beans, or mashed potatoes for an easy comfort-food plate!
Made these air fryer chicken drumsticks for a quick weeknight cookout-style dinner and they turned out amazing! Super juicy on the inside with perfectly crispy, well-seasoned skin on the outside. The simple spice mix gave them a smoky, garlicky flavor that tasted like classic BBQ comfort food. I served them as part of a casual cookout menu with potato salad, coleslaw, grilled corn, and cold drinks, and everyone loved how easy yet flavorful everything was. Definitely adding these to my regular rotation for fast, budget-friendly summer meals!
My family loves this recipe…especially my daughter who is a picky eater. Thank you!
I have an 11-year old son who is constantly growing, constantly starving, and I am constantly on the hunt for healthy things to have on hand for him. I made these for him yesterday and his eyes got wide upon his first bite and he said these were amazing. I am making him another batch today, per his request. These were easy, healthy, and absolutely delicious. The skin is so flavorful and crisp and the meat is sooo juicy. Also, extremely inexpensive! I got 4.5 lbs of drumsticks for $8 at Safeway. Thank you for this awesome recipe!!!
Easy and delicious! This will go into my regular rotation.
My husband a true.chicken leg lover said the air fryer drumstick recipe was by far the best he has ever eaten. He is 82 so he has eaten many
I make these for dinner all the time. The recipe is perfect the way it is! :)
I tried the recipe and my drumsticks were over 200 degrees, ruined. After 22 minutes. Thank heavens I have a dog.
I made this recipe for the second time tonight because my husband loves it. This recipe is so easy and simple and calls for ingredients I always have on hand. Thank you! This one is going into my saved folder. 😊
I fixed this drumstick recipe tonight and it was absolutely perfect. It was the first recipe I even read and I am so pleased with it will definitely use the same seasoning next time.
Just made this last night. I had to use Italian seasoning in place of the oregano that I didn’t have, but it still came out delicious. Tender meat with crispy skin. I mixed the seasoning and oil in a gallon bag with 6 drumsticks and it worked out well. Definitely suggest giving it a try!
So good! Juicy, perfect texture and well seasoned.
10/10 would make again 💯
A good recipe! Moist and just the right amount of seasoning, and super easy
I cut the recipe down in half for just one and it delivered. Thank you
The recipe was so easy to make and the result was very delicious.