These Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks are juicy, flavorful, and perfectly crispy on the outside—without deep frying! Using the magic of the air fryer, we recreate the addictive crunch of fried chicken while keeping it lighter, cleaner, and healthier.
Crispy & Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks (Kid-Approved!)
I love making these Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks because they’re such a family-friendly dish. Everyone gets their own piece, and my kids are always so excited when they see these on the table.
The best part is that they taste just as good as fried chicken, but they’re not deep-fried at all — which makes me feel better about serving them more often.
Another reason I adore this recipe is how easy it is. Once you’ve done the quick prep, you just place the drumsticks into the air fryer and let it do the work for you.
The only thing you really need to do is flip them once halfway through to make sure they crisp up evenly. That’s it! While they’re cooking, I can focus on making a side dish, tidying up, or even just taking a short break.
One thing to keep in mind: from my experience, every air fryer is a little different. The cooking time can vary quite a bit depending on the brand, size, and even how full your fryer is.
So don’t be surprised if you need to add a few extra minutes or pull them out a bit earlier than the recipe says. Just keep an eye on them, and once the outside is golden and crisp and the inside is juicy, you’ll know they’re ready.
Why you‘ll love this recipe
- Crispy without frying – The air fryer makes the skin perfectly golden and crunchy, no oil bath needed.
- Juicy & flavorful – Marinating with ginger, soy sauce, and pepper ensures the chicken stays tender and well-seasoned.
- Simple ingredients – Everything used is pantry-friendly and easy to find.
- Customizable spice level – Keep it mild with pepper salt or add chili powder for a fiery kick.
- Healthier comfort food – All the fried chicken vibes with none of the excess oil.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Chicken drumsticks – I recommend using drumsticks (sometimes called “pipa legs”) because they’re juicier and more tender than chicken breast. Cut a few slits on each drumstick so the marinade penetrates better.
- Ginger & Shaoxing wine – These work together to remove any gamey odor and help tenderize the meat. If you don’t have Shaoxing wine, you can use dry sherry or simply skip it.
- Light soy sauce – Adds a base layer of savory umami flavor.
- White & black pepper – A balance of gentle heat and earthy spice. Both are important for that signature pepper salt kick.
- All-purpose flour & cornstarch – This duo is key for the crispy crust. Cornstarch locks in moisture and crisps up beautifully. For extra crunch, you can swap cornstarch with panko breadcrumbs or an “air fryer crispy mix.”
- Egg – Helps the coating stick evenly to the drumsticks.
- Pepper salt powder – The star seasoning! This gives the chicken its signature savory-salty kick. Store-bought packets are perfectly fine, but feel free to mix in chili powder if you like it spicy.
- Parsley flakes (optional) – For garnish and a pop of color.
Ingredients for the recipe
For the marinade
- 4–6 chicken drumsticks
- 3–5 ginger slices (or shredded ginger)
- 1 tsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 tsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp white pepper powder
- 1 tsp black pepper powder
For the coating
- 30 g all-purpose flour
- 30 g cornstarch (or breadcrumbs)
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp pepper salt powder
For finishing
- Pepper salt powder, to taste
- Parsley flakes (optional, for garnish)
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Marinate the Drumsticks
Rinse the chicken drumsticks and pat them completely dry using kitchen paper.
Place the dried drumsticks in a large mixing bowl and use a skewer to poke holes all over the surface.
Add the ginger slices, cooking wine, light soy sauce, white pepper, and black pepper to the bowl.
Using your hands, mix everything thoroughly to ensure each drumstick is evenly coated with the marinade.
Cover the bowl and let the drumsticks marinate for 2 hours to allow the flavors to fully penetrate.
Prepare the Coating Mixture
In a separate clean bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and pepper-salt powder.
Whisk the dry ingredients together until they are well blended and uniform in color.
Coat the Drumsticks
After the marinating time is complete, crack one egg into the bowl with the drumsticks.
Mix thoroughly until each drumstick is evenly coated with the egg.
Take each egg-coated drumstick and dredge it in the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coating.
Arrange the coated drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t overlap.
Let the coated drumsticks rest for 15 minutes to help the coating set properly.
Air Fry to Perfection
Set your air fryer to 180°C and cook for 25 minutes.
At the 10-12 minute mark, carefully pull out the basket and flip each drumstick.
Continue cooking until the full time has elapsed and the drumsticks are golden brown and crispy.
Finish and Serve
Check for doneness by inserting a skewer into the thickest part of a drumstick – clear juices should run out.
Transfer the cooked drumsticks to a serving plate.
While still hot, sprinkle with additional pepper-salt powder to taste.
Garnish with parsley flakes if desired.
Serve immediately while the crust is at its crispiest and the meat is most juicy.
Tips & tricks
Dry the chicken well: Moisture is the enemy of crispiness, so don’t skip patting dry.
Cornstarch is key: It makes the crust light and crisp. For extra crunch, use breadcrumbs or panko.
Don‘t overcrowd the basket: Space ensures the air circulates evenly, making every drumstick crispy.
For oven method: Bake on a rack at 190°C (375°F) for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Spice it up: Add chili powder to the pepper salt or into the marinade for more heat.
Best eaten fresh: Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 160°C (320°F) for 5–8 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving, which softens the crust.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of drumsticks?
Yes! Boneless thighs also work well—just adjust cooking time down slightly.
Why isn‘t my coating crispy?
Likely too much moisture. Always pat dry thoroughly, and don’t overcrowd the fryer. Preheating also helps.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. Marinate the chicken in advance, then coat and air fry just before serving.
Is it okay to skip the egg?
The egg helps the flour stick better, but you can substitute with a splash of milk or yogurt.
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks (Easy & Juicy!)
Ingredients
For the marinade
- 4 –6 chicken drumsticks
- 3 –5 ginger slices or shredded ginger
- 1 tsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 tsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp white pepper powder
- 1 tsp black pepper powder
For the coating
- 30 g all-purpose flour
- 30 g cornstarch or breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp pepper salt powder
For finishing
- Pepper salt powder to taste
- Parsley flakes optional, for garnish
Instructions
Marinate the Drumsticks
- Rinse the chicken drumsticks and pat them completely dry using kitchen paper.
- Place the dried drumsticks in a large mixing bowl and use a skewer to poke holes all over the surface.
- Add the ginger slices, cooking wine, light soy sauce, white pepper, and black pepper to the bowl.
- Using your hands, mix everything thoroughly to ensure each drumstick is evenly coated with the marinade.
- Cover the bowl and let the drumsticks marinate for 2 hours to allow the flavors to fully penetrate.
Prepare the Coating Mixture
- In a separate clean bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and pepper-salt powder.
- Whisk the dry ingredients together until they are well blended and uniform in color.
Coat the Drumsticks
- After the marinating time is complete, crack one egg into the bowl with the drumsticks.
- Mix thoroughly until each drumstick is evenly coated with the egg.
- Take each egg-coated drumstick and dredge it in the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coating.
- Arrange the coated drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap.
- Let the coated drumsticks rest for 15 minutes to help the coating set properly.
Air Fry to Perfection
- Set your air fryer to 180°C and cook for 25 minutes.
- At the 10-12 minute mark, carefully pull out the basket and flip each drumstick.
- Continue cooking until the full time has elapsed and the drumsticks are golden brown and crispy.
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