Looking for an easy flavorful marinade for your chicken drumsticks? These family favorite chicken legs with their crispy skin and juicy interior always hit the spot! For a different twist try out these Sumac Chicken drumsticks.
These chicken drumsticks sold me on the air fryer (linked here). Pair them with a quick salad and some sweet potato fries and you've got a meal everyone loves. While they're not traditionally Pakistani like this Chicken Ginger or Chicken Pulao they have enough flavour to keep us coming back for seconds... maybe more.
Five Things I LOVE About These Air Fryer Drumsticks
- they're SO EASY to make! marinate, air fry. the end.
- that SKIN. that glorious crispy flavorful skin
- The juicy interior - I love how the interior of the chicken is so juicy!
- NO DEEP FRYING!
- BOTH my girls like them. Now if you have kids you'll know that's no easy feat to accomplish.
Ingredients List
- A dozen drumsticks - yes, a dozen, but feel free to halve/adjust as needed!
- Marinade - Soy Sauce, Ginger Paste/ Crushed Ginger, Garlic Paste/Crushed Garlic, Chili Flakes, Chili Powder, Dried Oregano, Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Salt & Pepper
- Oil for spraying/brushing over the chickens
Frequently Asked Questions
Easily. The trick to crispy skin is using a marinade like this one with low water content. Anytime you introduce a water based ingredient like yoghurt to a marinade it has the effect of making the chicken skin soggy. Want to decrease that effect? Pat the drumsticks with paper towels and leave out on a wire rack to dry out. No need to do that with this recipe 🙂
The timing will vary by Air Fryer models, but it's around 22-25 minutes for my Ninja Dual Air Fryer.
Yes! Bake in a greased dish covered with foil for 50 minutes. If you pierce the thickest part of the chicken leg with a knife the juices should run clear. Broil for a minute or two on each side to crisp up the skin - always watch this part carefully to make sure it doesn't burn!
Yes, I often freeze these and then defrost, drain excess water and air fry!
Don't do it. It is faster and safer for you to defrost the chicken by placing the container/ziploc they were frozen in in a bowl of hot water. Then drain excess liquid and air fry away.
Some Other Fun Recipes to Try
Made these Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks? Rate them by clicking the number of stars you want to give it on the recipe below! Tag me in your recreations on Instagram @flourandspiceblog
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 12 drumsticks
Marinade
- 1.5 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1.5 tbsp Crushed Ginger
- 1.5 tbsp Crushed Garlic
- 1.5 tbsp Dried Oregano
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Chili Flakes
- 1 tsp Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Crushed/Minced Green Chilies (if you want it spicy)
- Oil for air frying
Instructions
- Combine all the marinade ingredients in a bowl
- Score the chicken pieces with a sharp knife and cover the chicken with the marinade making sure to rub it well
- Marinade overnight or at least 6 hours
- Preheat your air fryer to 390F
- Place your chicken inside and cook for ten minutes undisturbed. Do make sure to leave space between the drumsticks. You will likely need to cook the drumsticks in batches
- Flip them over after ten minutes, spray with a little oil if they are looking dry, then cook them for another 10-15 minutes until the skin outside is bronze and the chicken is cooked through.
Made these for ifftar today. It turned out amazing and so easy to make. I was worried it turn out dry in air fryer, but it was perfectly done.
I am SO glad to hear that Rubeena! Thank you!
I made them for our first iftar, loved the marinade. Perfect for ramazan, quick ,easy and delicious. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Sarah, can I make these with skin on bone in chicken thighs instead?
Yes absolutely!!! They would cook faster so just watch the time!
Hi Sarah;
Awesome recipe. I tried with 350 F temp for 8 mins both sides in my 2.6lts Gotham air fryer. I did marinate Chic Drumsticks overnight and thawed 1 hr before air frying.
Turned out perfect and succulent. I must say 10/10.
Thank you so much for sharing the recipe.
THANK YOU for sharing this!!!! I get asked about baking temperature all the time and didn’t know!
Do you recommend using skin on or skinless drumsticks?
Hey Sana! Skin on is my preference for sure!
Hi Sarah. How do you suggest I make these without an air fryer as I don’t own one?
Hi Sara, can we bake these in oven? If yes then for how long and at what temp?
Hi Sana! So sorry about not replying sooner, but you can bake these at 375 for 35-40 minutes. If you stick something sharp in the meaty part it should go in easily and the juices should run clear and then you know you are done!
Hi if we use skinned chicken what should be the temp and time?
Hi Shiza! Time will more or less be the same, but the risk you run with skinned chicken is it drying out. That said if you eat it hot then you're still good!
excellent recipe.. stop and try it right now if you havnt already!! it is THAT good!!
wow thank you Sara!
This is my go to receipe for air fried drumsticks. Everyone loves it. Highly recommend to try it.
It makes me SO happy to hear that!
Hi!
Made these last night and omg so so good! Sent some to my parents and they were obsessed!
Thanks!
Woohooo!!! Loved reading this, thank you!
Hi there! I would like to try this tonight for iftar - could I use boneless thighs?
absolutely!
We love this marinade so much that we have also tried it with boneless chicken breasts as well and it tastes as good. Had to cook the drumsticks a little longer each side as the color seemed light and slightly raw (red/pink) inside but they were an absolute treat, gone in seconds!
thank you Farwah!!!!
can you remind me if you are baking or air frying so I can add notes to the recipe - this timing is perfect for my air fryer but I want to make sure everyone can adjust for theirs!
This is a very easy recipe! Love how flavorful the chicken comes out!
I am so glad you enjoyed it!
I don't have an air fryer. Yet, I still use the marination mix from this recipe to make my fried chicken. It has been a hit each time I tried it. So thank you for sharing your recipes with us Sarah❤
Thank you so so much!
Approximately would the 12 drumsticks be a kilo?
Hi Munawar! I think it's a little more depending on the size of the drumsticks
Absolutely love this recipe. It's so easy to make and super delicious. Thanks Sarah!
I am so glad to hear that Sabira! Thank you!
Are these skinless legs or with skin?
Thanks
With skin! It's so much tastier that way!
Tried drumsticks today and they were finger lickin’ goood!
Tho i deep fried them and had with buffalo sauce🤌🏻
Oooh I love your twist on them!
Tried this recipe and my super foodie husband loved it! Super simple and easy to make and tasted delicious!
that is fantastic to hear Mariam! THANK YOU for trying it, your comment, and rating!