Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, these Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks are packed with savory flavor and cook to golden perfection in under 25 minutes. It's a quick, healthy, and family-friendly main dish for any weeknight meal.
Servings: 4
Calories: 295kcal
Ingredients
8 skin-on chicken drumsticks (about 1.5 to 2 lbs / 700–900g)
1 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken drumsticks completely dry with paper towels. (Removing excess surface moisture is essential for achieving super crispy skin.)
Preheat: Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
Season: In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Drizzle the olive oil over the drumsticks, then rub the spice mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken.
Air Fry: Arrange the drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them for airflow (cook in batches if needed). Air fry at 390°F (200°C) for 10 minutes.
Flip & Finish: Flip the drumsticks over and cook for another 8–10 minutes, until the skin is crispy and brown, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) on a meat thermometer (measure near the bone without touching it).
Rest & Serve: Let the drumsticks rest for 3–5 minutes before serving so the juices redistribute.
Notes
- Oil Swap: Substitute olive oil with avocado oil or melted ghee, both of which handle high heat extremely well in the air fryer.
- Chicken Cut: You can use chicken wings or bone-in chicken thighs with the same spice rub (adjust cooking time slightly as needed based on size).
- Flavor Profile Variations: Swap the paprika and oregano for Cajun seasoning, Lemon Pepper, or BBQ rub for a different taste profile.
