Serves: 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20–25 minutes
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks (about 2–2½ lb / 900–1,100 g)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to help the skin crisp up.
- In a large bowl, toss the drumsticks with olive oil and all the seasonings until evenly coated.
- Arrange the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece.
- Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 10 minutes.
- Flip the drumsticks and cook for 10–15 more minutes, or until the skin is golden and crispy and the thickest part reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). For extra-tender drumsticks, cooking to 175–185°F (79–85°C) is even better.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the basket—cook in batches if needed.
- Spray lightly with cooking oil halfway through if you want even crispier skin.
- If your drumsticks are very large, add 2–5 extra minutes of cooking time.
Serving ideas
- Roasted potatoes or fries
- Coleslaw
- Corn on the cob
- Steamed broccoli or green beans
- Mac and cheese
- Side salad
For a different flavor, try swapping the seasoning for:
- BBQ: Brush with your favorite BBQ sauce during the last 3–4 minutes.
- Lemon Herb: Add lemon zest and dried oregano.
- Buffalo: Toss in buffalo sauce after cooking and serve with ranch or blue cheese.
