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    Home » Air Fryer Recipes

    Published: Jan 18, 2019 · Modified: May 4, 2022 by Renée · This post may contain affiliate links · 13 Comments

    Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

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    Dinnertime just got a whole lot easier! Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks are coated with cornflake crumbs and seasonings. Then they're air fried to crispy, crunchy, perfection! In less than 30 minutes you'll be sitting down to a delicious meal!

    Air fryer chicken drumsticks on a blue plate with a salt and pepper shaker.

    Even if you're new to cooking, or nervous in the kitchen, you will be completely successful with this easy to follow and foolproof recipe for air fryer drumsticks!

    If you can brush chicken drumsticks with mayonnaise and toss them with crushed cornflakes then you're going to love this recipe! I guarantee it!

    This Ultimate Grilled Cheese Sandwich (showcased in the featured video) is another air fryer recipe you'll also enjoy!

    **Please Note - The printable recipe card with detailed instructions, complete ingredient measurements, and nutritional information for making Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks is available near the end of this post. OR click on the "jump to recipe" tab (found below) to be taken directly to the recipe.

    Jump to Recipe

    Subscribe to my Kudos Kitchen channel on YouTube. See you there!!

    air fryer chicken drumsticks long image with title

    The ingredient list:

    • chicken drumsticks
    • cornflake crumbs (found by the breadcrumbs in the market)
    • Greek yogurt
    • milk
    • salt and pepper
    • ground thyme
    • ground sage
    • garlic powder

    How many chicken drumsticks does this recipe make?

    • I made 12 chicken drumsticks with this recipe (two batches). But you can easily double, or cut the recipe in half if needed.
    • Once made, these air fryer chicken drumsticks are super easy to grab for an on-the-go lunch or even quicker dinner when time is extra tight.
    • They're tasty reheated or even eaten cold for in a school lunch box, or packed up for a picnic.
    •  

    Closeup of Air Fryer Chicken Drumstick with cornflakes and seasonings

    The easy instructions for how to make air fryer chicken drumsticks;

    • Stir together the Greek yogurt, milk, salt, and pepper until creamy.
    • Brush the yogurt mixture evenly over each chicken leg.
    How to make air fryer chicken drumsticks photo tutorial
    • In a medium bowl stir together the cornflakes, ground thyme, ground sage, garlic powder, remaining salt, and pepper.
    • Coat each yogurt coated chicken leg evenly with the cornflake crumbs.
    How to make air fryer chicken drumsticks photo tutorial
    • Place 6 drumsticks into the air fryer and spray with a light touch of olive oil spray.
    • Set to 375-degrees for 15 minutes.
    • After 15 minutes pierce one of the biggest chicken drumsticks with a skewer. If the juices run clear (with no pink), the chicken is cooked through. OR test with a meat thermometer for an internal temperature of 165-degrees Fahrenheit.
    • If the juices run pink return the chicken to the air fryer to cook for an additional 4-5 minutes. 
    • Continue the same process with the remaining 6 drumsticks.
    How to make air fryer chicken drumsticks photo tutorial

    Do I have to use drumsticks for this recipe?

    • No. You can use whatever cut of chicken you prefer. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
    • Chicken with bones takes longer to cook than chicken without bones.
    • Dark meat takes longer to cook than light meat.

    What is the proper internal temperature for cooking chicken?

    • For white meat, the proper internal temperature is 160-degrees Fahrenheit.
    • For dark meat, the proper internal temperature is 165-degrees Fahrenheit. 

    What if I don't have a meat thermometer?

    • A good way to test if the chicken is cooked through is to pierce it in the thickest part with a knife or skewer. If the juices run clear, with no pinkish tinge, then it's cooked through.
    • Or, give the chicken a little slice with a sharp knife (through to the center) and if it's completely opaque, it's cooked.

    Air fryer chicken drumstick with a bite taken out.

    Does an air fryer require any oil at all?

    • If I'm going to be totally honest, I've not used my air fryer without any oil, although I'm sure you can.
    • However, the oil I do use is minimal. I've only been using a light spray on the things I'm cooking.
    • So far I've used an olive oil spray, and grapeseed oil spray, but there are so many other spray oils to choose from which will also be perfect for the air fryer.
    • Soon I'm going to branch out and use coconut oil spray for a few sweet recipes I have in mind. Stay tuned. 😉

    Is an air fryer an important kitchen appliance?

    • An air fryer is an appliance I didn't know I needed until I received one as a gift. Now I'm using it non-stop, and sometimes even twice a day! 
    • If an air fryer can take the guesswork out of cooking, and turn out perfectly browned meats, perfectly roasted vegetables, as well as delicious fried foods (but without all the oil), then why wouldn't you want to add it to your kitchen appliance wishlist?


    Closeup of Air fryer chicken drumsticks on a blue scalloped plate.

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    Below is the printable recipe card along with the exact ingredient measurements and nutritional information for making today's easy dinner recipe of air fryer chicken drumsticks.

    Six chicken drumsticks sitting on a blue plate with a napkin.

    Air Fryer Fried Chicken Drumsticks

    Renee Goerger
    Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks are coated with cornflake crumbs and seasonings. Then they're air fried to crispy, crunchy, perfection! In less than 30 minutes you'll be sitting down to a delicious meal!
    4.13 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course air fryer recipe, chicken, Easy Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 297 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 12 chicken legs
    • ½ cup Greek yogurt
    • 2 tablespoons milk
    • 1½ cups corn flakes
    • 2 teaspoons salt divided
    • 1 teaspoon pepper divided
    • 1 teaspoon ground thyme
    • 1 teaspoon ground sage
    • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
    • olive oil spray

    Instructions
     

    • In a small bowl, mix together the yogurt, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, and the milk until creamy.
    • Brush each chicken leg with the yogurt mixture on all sides. Set aside.
    • Add the cornflakes, remaining salt, remaining pepper, thyme, sage, and garlic powder into a medium bowl.
    • Coat each chicken leg evenly with the cornflake crumb mixture. 
    • Add 6 of the chicken legs to the air fryer and spray sparingly with olive oil spray.
    • Close the fryer and set the temperature to 375-degrees, and set the time for 15 minutes.
    • After 15 minutes, check the chicken for doneness and to make sure the juices run clear. If not, return the chicken to the fryer and cook for an additional 5 minutes (if needed).

    Notes

    Tools and equipment;
    Air fryer, pastry brush, medium bowls, measuring spoons, measuring cups, meat thermometer

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1legCalories: 297kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 22gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 526mgPotassium: 289mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 181IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's recipe for foolproof air fryer chicken drumsticks as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!

    Overhead shot of air fryer chicken drumsticks on a blue scalloped plate.

    This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. When I find a great product or service I like to share it with my readers. For additional information please view my privacy policy.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Joyce Kidd says

      March 10, 2022 at 8:21 pm

      Very good and easy. We don’t like hot sauce so I mixed honey and butter for basting. Super tasty

      Reply
      • Renée says

        March 11, 2022 at 6:42 am

        Awesome, Joyce. Thanks for the 5-star rating!
        Take good care,
        Renee

        Reply
    2. Harriet Russell says

      December 21, 2019 at 2:29 pm

      Is the coating supposed to be mayonnaise or yogurt and milk, or are they interchangeable? "The easy instructions for how to make air fryer chicken drumsticks;
      Stir together the Greek yogurt, milk, salt, and pepper until creamy.
      Brush the yogurt mixture evenly over each chicken leg.
      In a medium bowl stir together the cornflakes, ground thyme, ground sage, garlic powder, remaining salt, and pepper.
      Coat each mayonnaise coated chicken leg evenly with the cornflake crumbs."

      Reply
    3. Gaby says

      April 04, 2019 at 4:56 pm

      I try this recipe and it took at least double the time to cook all the way through, but like waaay longer 15min after 15min after 15min. So disappointed because it looked very appealing and yummy but at the end the outside was almost burning. It wasn't a success. The only I can think of, is that My air fryer is smaller I can only fit 3 drumsticks at a time. I don't know if that would make a difference.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        April 04, 2019 at 8:24 pm

        Hi, Gaby! I’m sorry to hear that this recipe didn’t turn out for you. I’m not sure what type of air fryer you are using, but it does sound small. However I doubt a smaller air fryer would increase the cooking time that much. Is there a possibility that your chicken legs were partially frozen? That could account for the almost burnt outside, and longer to cook inside. Just a thought. In any case, I’m sad it wasn’t successful for you. :(. Renee

        Reply
    4. Sandra Shaffer says

      January 19, 2019 at 8:15 pm

      5 stars
      That coating looks amazing! I love that you can use minimal oil to get results like this. I have had my eye on an air fryer, now I'm convinced I need one now!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        January 20, 2019 at 7:08 am

        I'm loving my air fryer and I recommend one. It will be a much-used appliance in my kitchen, and probably yours.

        Reply
    5. Meagen Brosius says

      January 19, 2019 at 7:22 pm

      5 stars
      The air fryer is so much fun and I love that it makes tasty recipes a little more healthy! Definitely one of my favorite appliances.

      Reply
      • Renée says

        January 20, 2019 at 7:08 am

        Agreed!!

        Reply
    6. Stef says

      January 19, 2019 at 8:45 am

      5 stars
      Oooh... I also just got an airfryer as a gift and I've been on the lookout for things to try with it! I can't wait to give this a go. It sounds wonderful!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        January 19, 2019 at 2:35 pm

        I love my new air fryer! You'll love yours too, and you'll also love this recipe. Enjoy, Stef!

        Reply
    7. Jenn says

      January 19, 2019 at 8:39 am

      5 stars
      I think I need to borrow my friend's air fryer now! Awesome recipe and I cannot wait to try it!!

      Reply
      • Renée says

        January 19, 2019 at 2:36 pm

        If you can swing it, get an air fryer of your own. You'll use it all the time!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Renee! I've been a passionate home cook for over 40 years. I specialize in easy-to-make comfort food dishes from appetizers to desserts and everything in between.

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