Air fryer chicken drumsticks are packed with flavor and ready in no time for a quick weeknight meal. Crispy outside and juicy inside!

Some nights, especially when it's hot out, the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven and heat up the whole kitchen.
That’s where the air fryer comes in. No sweating over the stove, just quick, delicious chicken with barely any effort.
Here’s why these air fryer chicken drumsticks are perfect for nights like that:
- Juicy on the Inside: The air fryer gives you perfect texture without deep frying.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in about 30 minutes with minimal prep, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
- Healthier Option: Uses less oil than traditional frying while still delivering amazing flavor and crunch.
- Family-Friendly: A hit with both kids and adults which make them perfect for picky eaters or casual dinners.
- Customizable Flavors: Easily switch up the seasonings to match your mood or meal theme (BBQ, spicy, lemon pepper, and more!).
For another quick recipe, check out these tasty air fryer zucchini curly fries.
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
You will need the following ingredients listed below to make this simple air fryer recipe (the exact measurements, nutrition information and full recipe are all in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post).
Ingredients:
- Chicken drumsticks
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Avocado oil
- Smoked paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Dried rosemary
Instructions:
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Pat dry the chicken drumsticks using paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This will help the skin to become crispy.
- In a large bowl, add salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and dried rosemary to the chicken drumsticks.
- Drizzle the chicken drumsticks with avocado oil, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Place the seasoned chicken drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between them for even cooking.
- Cook the drumsticks in the air fryer at 380F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Once cooked, remove the drumsticks from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
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Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Author: Recipe Idea Shop
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 7 Chicken drumsticks
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoon Avocado oil
- 2 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon Onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Dried rosemary
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Pat dry the chicken drumsticks using paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
- In a large bowl, add salt, pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and dried rosemary to the chicken drumsticks.
- Drizzle the chicken drumsticks with avocado oil, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Place the seasoned chicken drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between them for even cooking.
- Cook the drumsticks in the air fryer at 380F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Remove the drumsticks from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.