Air-Fried Breaded Chicken Drumsticks— Introducing a delicious and healthier twist on a classic favorite – Air-Fried Breaded Chicken Drumsticks!
With the magic of the air fryer, you can enjoy perfectly crispy and juicy chicken drumsticks without the need for deep frying. These drumsticks are coated in a flavorful breading mixture and cooked to golden perfection, making them a crowd-pleasing dish for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner or looking for a simple weeknight meal, these air-fried chicken drumsticks are sure to impress with their irresistible taste and texture. Get ready to indulge in crispy goodness without the guilt!
Topped off my favorite ways are Air Fryer Waffles and Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes. Of course, they go best together, and once you make these, you will not believe how easy they are to make, and your family will be requesting them every day!
So easy & So Good–What else is there to know?
Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Drumsticks
Indulge in the deliciousness of Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Drumsticks, a crispy and flavorful twist on a classic favorite.
Start by marinating chicken drumsticks in your favorite seasoning blend for extra flavor. Then, coat them in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture for a perfectly crispy exterior.
Pop them into the air fryer and let it work its magic, cooking the drumsticks to golden perfection without excess oil. In a short time, you’ll be rewarded with juicy, tender chicken drumsticks that will surely be a hit at any meal. Serve them alongside your favorite dipping sauce or as the star of a satisfying meal.
Ingredients Needed For Air Fried Breaded Chicken Drumsticks
Here are the simple ingredients to make air-fried baked chicken drumsticks.
Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.
- Chicken Legs: These succulent drumsticks’ main ingredient is juicy and tender meat.
- Garlic: Infuses a rich, aromatic flavor into the chicken, enhancing its overall taste.
- Milk: It helps tenderize the chicken and adds moisture to the meat during cooking.
- White Vinegar: Acts as a marinade, tenderizing the chicken and adding a tangy flavor profile.
- Paprika: Adds a subtle smokiness and a beautiful red hue to the breading mixture.
- All-Purpose Flour: Coats the chicken, providing a crispy outer layer when air-fried.
- Sea Salt: Enhances the flavor of the chicken and balances the other seasonings.
- Oregano: Adds earthy and herbaceous notes to the breading mixture.
- Garlic Powder: Amplifies the garlic flavor and adds depth to the seasoning blend.
- Ground Cumin: Offers warm and earthy undertones to the breading mixture.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides a hint of sweetness to complement the savory flavors.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps the breading adhere to the chicken drumsticks.
- Cooking Spray: Prevents the chicken from sticking to the air fryer basket and promotes even browning.
How to Make Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Drumsticks
Here are the step by step directions to make air-fried breaded chicken legs.
Combine the chicken legs, peeled garlic cloves, milk, white vinegar, and paprika in a plastic bag or bowl. Refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight. The longer you leave it, the better!
Combine the flour, sea salt, oregano, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, and sugar in a medium bowl. Stir well and evenly distribute the mixture. Turn your air fryer on to “air fry” or 390 degrees Fahrenheit—there is no need to preheat at any time here.
One at a time, place a chicken leg into the flour mixture and make sure it’s well coated, but tap off any excess flour. Place each leg into a well-greased air fryer. Repeat until the air fryer is full and the legs are equally spaced apart. You may have to work in batches.
Cook for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Place a pat of butter on the meatiest part of each leg at the halfway point after you’ve flipped them.
Close the fryer and continue cooking. Before you pull each batch, ensure the internal temperature is at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on your air fryer, you may need a few extra minutes. If you do, no problem; flip them again and continue cooking.
Repeat this process until all of your chicken is cooked. As you finish each batch, blot them on a paper towel. Serve immediately as they finish!
Recipe Variations
With just a few ingredient substitutions, you can make this recipe Keto/Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, and even dairy-free:
- Keto/Low-Carb Friendly: Use almond flour or another low-carb flour alternative. You should also use a low-carb milk alternative such as almond milk, macadamia nut milk, flax milk, coconut milk, or heavy whipping cream. (all of the milk substitutes should be unsweetened)
- Gluten-Free: To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the flour for all-purpose gluten-free flour, such as King’s Arthur Gluten-Free Flour. Remember to check your spices to make sure that there is no hidden gluten in your condiments.
- Dairy-Free: To make this recipe dairy-free, use a milk alternative, such as soy or lactose-free milk.
Faq’s
How long should I marinate the chicken? Marinate the chicken legs for at least 30 minutes to ensure they absorb the flavors of the marinade.
Can I use boneless chicken for this recipe? Yes, you can use boneless chicken thighs or breasts, but adjust the cooking time accordingly as they may cook faster than drumsticks.
What if I don’t have an air fryer? If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the breaded chicken drumsticks in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Can I use a different seasoning blend for the breading? Absolutely! Feel free to customize the seasoning blend to your preference by adding or omitting spices based on your taste preferences.
How do I ensure the chicken is cooked through? Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should register at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s safe to eat.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time? While it’s best to enjoy the chicken drumsticks fresh, you can prepare the breading mixture and marinate the chicken in advance to save time when cooking. Store the components separately in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook.
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Don’t Forget To Pin!
Air Fried Breaded Chicken Drumsticks
Description
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken legs, 4-5 legs
- 3 whole garlic cloves, peeled
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp sugar
- 5 slices salted butter,
Instructions
- Combine the chicken legs, peeled garlic cloves, milk, white vinegar, and paprika in a plastic bag or bowl. Refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight. The longer you leave it, the better!
- Combine the flour, sea salt, oregano, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, and sugar in a medium bowl. Make sure it’s stirred well and evenly distributed.
- Turn your air fryer on to “air fry” or 390 degrees Fahrenheit. No need to preheat for any length of time here.
- One at a time, place a chicken leg into the flour mixture and make sure it’s well coated, but tap off any excess flour. Place each leg into a well-greased air fryer. Repeat the process until the air fryer is full and the legs are equally spaced apart. You may have to work in batches.
- Cook for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. At the halfway point, place a pat of butter on the meatiest part of each leg after you’ve flipped them. Close the fryer and continue cooking. Before you pull each batch, check to make sure the internal temperature is at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on your air fryer, you may need a few extra minutes. If you do, no problem, just flip them again and continue cooking.
- Repeat this process until all of your chicken is cooked. As you finish each batch, blot them on a paper towel. Serve immediately as they finish!
- Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
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