Drummie, Drummie, in my Tummy!
I’ve had drumsticks in a pan, in the oven, in a pot, in an instapot, air fryer, on the grill, you name it! This staple dish has been everywhere in my kitchen over the years and it’s here to stay. I didn’t think the air fryer would be different than other methods but boy was I wrong. Achieving a crunchy crispy skin is can be a bit of an art on the stove and in the oven. But in the air fryer??? it’s Effortless! just as drumsticks should be. Almost impossible to overcook and it comes out juicy every time!
And yet, we still need to achieve Gourmet air fry status with our drummies. For that, we’ll brine them, dust them with an extra special custom spice blend and finish the plating without our very own homemade BBQ sauce.
Ingredients
Before we dive into the cooking process, make sure you have the following ingredients and tools at hand:
- 4 chicken drumsticks (3 per person, 4 for larger folk like my 6’3″ self)
- Taco seasoning
- Steak seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Neutral oil (such as vegetable, canola, or grapeseed oil)
- A small bowl for mixing spices
- An air fryer
- A meat thermometer
- Your favorite dipping sauce (we’ll recommend a few later)
Prepping Your Drumsticks
- Unwrap the packaging: Carefully remove the packaging from your chicken drumsticks, taking care not to contaminate any surfaces with raw juices. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after handling the raw drumsticks.
- Arrange the drumsticks: Place the 4 drumsticks in your air fryer basket.
Seasoning the Drumsticks
To create a mouthwatering flavor profile for your chicken drumsticks, we’ll mix together a custom spice blend that combines taco seasoning, steak seasoning, salt, and pepper. This unique combination of spices will add a bold, savory kick to your drumsticks, making them impossible to resist!
- In a small bowl, mix together equal parts taco seasoning and steak seasoning. Then add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. The exact amounts will depend on your personal preference, but a good starting point is 1 tablespoon of each seasoning and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Give the drumsticks one dash of neutral oil in the air fryer basket, just enough to lightly coat them. The oil will help the spices adhere to the drumsticks and promote even browning.
- Sprinkle the spice blend over the drumsticks.
- Give the air fryer basket a good shake to allow the spices to evenly coat the drumsticks.
Air Frying Your Drumsticks
With your drumsticks seasoned and ready to go, it’s time to start the air frying process. Follow these simple steps to achieve perfectly cooked, irresistibly delicious chicken drumsticks:
- Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 20min.
- After 20 minutes of cooking, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken drumsticks. The internal temperature should reach at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat. If necessary, cook the drumsticks for a few more minutes to reach the desired temperature.
- Once the drumsticks are fully cooked, carefully remove them from the air fryer basket and transfer them to a serving plate. The drumsticks should be crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, with a mouthwatering aroma that fills your kitchen.
- Now it’s time to add some dipping sauces to your plate. Chick-fil-A sauce, Ranch, and Homemade BBQ Sauce are all great options to complement your air-fried drumsticks. You can also get creative and try other dipping sauces, such as honey mustard, garlic aioli, or spicy sriracha mayo.
- For a complete meal, serve your chicken drumsticks alongside some delicious side dishes. Some popular options include air fryer fries, coleslaw, potato salad, cornbread, grilled or air fryer zucchini, or a simple green salad.
- Lastly, dig in! I am always surprised at how much I enjoy a good drummy.
We can’t imagine a more beautiful thing. Be sure to share this Air Fryer Drumsticks Recipe with your friends!
Get Crispy!
L+A
