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Discover the easiest way to cook frozen chicken drumsticks in the air fryer! This recipe gives you juicy, crispy drumsticks with minimal effort in no time.

Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Drumsticks (No Thaw)

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Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

Crispy, juicy chicken drumsticks cooked straight from frozen in the air fryer at 380°F. No thawing, a simple 5-spice rub, and dinner in about 40 minutes.

Ingredients 

Chicken

  • 6 frozen chicken drumsticks, skin-on, about 1½–2 lb (680–900 g)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil spray

Seasoning

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika, sweet or smoked

Instructions

  • Preheat. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.
  • Cook plain for 10 minutes. Arrange the frozen drumsticks in a single layer with space between them. Air fry for 10 minutes to melt the ice glaze.
  • Separate and season. Pull apart any drumsticks frozen together. Pat off any water, brush or spray with oil, and sprinkle with half the seasoning.
  • Flip and finish. Flip, oil and season the other side. Air fry 20–25 minutes more, flipping once halfway.
  • Check doneness. The thickest part should read at least 165°F (74°C) without touching the bone; 175–185°F gives the most tender meat. For extra crunch, cook 2–3 minutes at 400°F.
  • Rest and serve. Rest 3–5 minutes, then serve with your favorite sides or dipping sauce.

Equipment

  • Air fryer (5–6 qt basket)
  • Instant-read meat thermometer
  • Tongs
  • oil sprayer

Notes

  • Cook time by size: small (3–4 oz) 25–30 min; medium (4–5 oz) 30–35 min; large (5–6 oz) 35–40 min. [VERIFY]
  • Frozen in a clump: add 5–10 minutes and separate the pieces at step 3.
  • Frozen chicken legs / leg quarters: cook 2–3 at a time for 40–50 minutes, flipping every 15 minutes. [VERIFY]
  • Sauced versions: brush on BBQ, honey garlic or buffalo sauce in the last 3–5 minutes so it doesn't burn.
  • Thawed drumsticks: cook about 20–25 minutes at the same temperature.
  • Make ahead: season fresh drumsticks, freeze flat on a sheet pan, then bag. Cook from frozen and skip step 3's seasoning.
  • Leftovers: refrigerate up to 4 days; reheat at 350°F for 5–7 minutes.
  • Air fryers vary: smaller baskets and basket-style models run hotter than oven-style ones. Start checking 5 minutes early.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 337kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 55gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 179mgSodium: 778mgPotassium: 597mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 173IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 2mg