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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks Recipe for Perfect Crunch Every Time

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This recipe delivers crispy, golden chicken drumsticks with a perfect crunch using an air fryer. It’s quick, easy, and uses simple pantry staples for a fuss-free, delicious meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 chicken drumsticks, skin-on and bone-in (about 2 pounds or 900 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt (kosher salt recommended)
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs (60 ml), can skip for gluten-free option

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels and place them in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Drizzle olive oil over the drumsticks and toss gently to coat evenly.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, chili powder, cumin, and breadcrumbs.
  4. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken, tossing carefully to coat each drumstick evenly.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  6. Arrange the drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching.
  7. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping the drumsticks halfway through cooking at around 12 minutes.
  8. Check for doneness with a meat thermometer; the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). If no thermometer is available, cut near the bone to ensure juices run clear.
  9. Let the drumsticks rest on a cooling rack or plate for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure crispiness. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to prevent soggy skin. Flip drumsticks halfway through cooking for even browning. For extra crispy skin, spray a light coat of cooking oil before the last 5 minutes of cooking. Rest chicken after cooking to lock in juices. Use almond flour or crushed pork rinds instead of breadcrumbs for gluten-free option. If using a convection oven, bake at 425°F (220°C) for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken drumsticks, air fryer chicken, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, crunchy chicken, healthy fried chicken, gluten-free chicken option

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-drumsticks-recipe-for-perfect-crunch-every-time/