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Chicken drumsticks in the air fryer are simply the best thing to make on a weeknight. No fuss with an oven that needs preheating for ages, no large pan of fat, and yet you get that wonderfully crispy exterior everyone asks for. With a good air fryer & deep fryer you can have this dish on the table in 35 minutes. The garlic-herb marinade does the real work — you just have to enjoy.

Recipe

Crispy air fryer chicken drumsticks with garlic-herb crust

These air fryer chicken drumsticks are just right: a golden-brown herb crust on the outside and tender, juicy meat inside. Perfect for a weeknight or a cozy Friday evening with the whole family.

Course Main course
Kitchen International
Servings 4 servings

Preparation time

Preparation time 15 min
Stiffen up min. 3 min
Total 61 min

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • Mixing bowl
  • Paper towels
  • Garlic press
  • Meat thermometer
  • Tongs
  • Cutting board
  • Knife

Ingredients

  • 8 chicken drumsticks (approx. 1.2 kg)
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely pressed
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • Small handful fresh parsley, roughly chopped
  • 1 lemon, in wedges

How to make crispy air fryer chicken drumsticks with garlic-herb crust?

    1. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Dry meat = a better crust, so don’t skip this step.
    2. In a bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic, smoked paprika, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt and pepper into a smooth marinade.
    3. Rub the drumsticks all over with the marinade. Let them sit for at least 15 minutes at room temperature. More time gives more flavor.
    4. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C for 3 minutes.
    5. Place the drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they don’t overlap for an even result.
    6. Cook the drumsticks for 25 to 28 minutes at 200°C. Turn them halfway through (after about 13 minutes) so they brown nicely on all sides.
    7. Check that the core of the thickest part has reached at least 75°C with a meat thermometer. If it hasn’t, cook for another 3 to 5 minutes.
    8. Let the drumsticks rest for 3 minutes after cooking. Sprinkle with roughly chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

The air fryer is the device for anyone who wants to enjoy food without hassle. No large amounts of fat, no endless waiting, and still a result that satisfies everyone at the table. This recipe also works great with chicken thighs or even whole chicken legs. Want more kick? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade and you’ll have a completely different dish.

Serve these drumsticks with a crisp green salad, homemade coleslaw or simply some crunchy baguette. Store leftovers for up to 2 days in the fridge and reheating in the air fryer at 180°C for 5 minutes will fully restore their crispy crust. That way nothing goes to waste and day two tastes just as good.

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