Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

Name: Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 8 chicken drumsticks (thawed); 1 Tbsp light brown sugar (lightly packed); 1 1/2 tsp sweet paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 3/4 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper; 2 Tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp fresh chopped parsley (for garnish)

Author by Amanda Davis on February 25, 2022 Updated on December 13, 2022

5 from 1 vote

These air fryer chicken drumsticks are ultra juicy with a hint of sweet and sticky caramelization that complements the other spices so well. Plus, they take half the time to cook compared to a conventional oven.

Cook Time 25

Total Time 30

Jump to Recipe

Air fryer chicken drumsticks are crispy, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. Pop them in the air fryer for 25 minutes and serve with your favorite dipping sauce!

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks on a platter

Why this recipe works

Made with brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper, it’s safe to say these drumsticks aren’t lacking in the flavor department. Throw together a batch of these along with some air fryer chicken wings for your next party (or for whenever you feel like snacking).

Related Recipe – Baked Chicken Thighs

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks ingredients

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

SPICES – You can mix and match seasonings to your preference without compromising the cook time. The brown sugar adds a hint of sweetness and a bit of sticky caramelization once cooked. It pairs really well with the spicy cayenne and paprika.

CHICKEN – You will want your chicken drumsticks completely thawed if using frozen. Frozen foods can’t hold on to all those delicious seasonings.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

Add the chicken, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and olive oil to a large bowl. Toss to coat the chicken.
Cook the chicken for about 25 to 30 minutes at 380F in an air fryer, flipping once halfway through.
Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and sprinkle on the parsley. Serve.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

How do I know when the drumsticks are done?

Your drumsticks will be done when the juices run clear and they reach an internal temperature of 165F on an instant read thermometer.

How do I store them?

Store leftover drumsticks in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes.

Can I use chicken thighs?

Chicken thighs are larger, therefore I would suggest you check out our air fryer chicken thighs post for more information. Though you can certainly use this recipe’s seasonings on thighs, wings, or legs interchangeably.

Serving Suggestions

Serve chicken drumsticks with a side of ranch or bleu cheese for dipping. I like to serve these wings as an appetizer for get-togethers but they also make a great dinner option with some carrots and celery on the side. Lastly, top with freshly chopped parsley.

More Air Fryer Recipes

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Amanda Davis

President at Amanda's Creative Studio, Inc.

Amanda Davis is the entrepreneurial mom of four grown children and four step children. She and her husband, Chef Antoine, love to cook together creating recipes for this blog. Amanda also make kid's crafts and creates decorative items for her home. She is a crafting expert and guru in the kitchen and has appeared online and in print publications many times over the years. She is also a craft book author five times over and product developer as well as the owner of FunFamilyCrafts.com. You can find her on social media by using the buttons to the left!