These crispy air fryer drumsticks have a bright lemon and garlic rub that gets worked right into the skin, so every bite is full of flavor. The air fryer makes the skin perfectly golden and crackly in under 25 minutes, while the meat underneath stays juicy.
It's a simple meal that works for just about any occasion!
I absolutely love this air fryer lemon chicken recipe because it comes together so quickly! If you have kids around, they'll love that it's made with drumsticks, too, since they're so easy to eat with little hands.
For me, the best part about this recipe is that it makes awesome leftovers. That means dinner tomorrow night or lunches for the rest of the week are already taken care of after just a few minutes in the air fryer.
I used this same lemon garlic combination on my [lemon garlic chicken thighs recipe], and it turned out great. This crispy chicken recipe is no different! Serve it with Asparagus with Bacon and Roasted Mini Potatoes for the perfect dinner.
Ingredients
I keep the ingredient list short here because the lemon and garlic really do most of the work.
When you're shopping, try to find drumsticks that are all roughly the same size so everything finishes cooking at the same time. Stick with skin-on drumsticks since that's the part that crisps up so nicely in the air fryer.
Fresh lemon zest and lemon juice make a noticeable difference compared to the bottled stuff, so it's worth grabbing a real lemon for this one.
Make it Gluten-Free
This dish is already naturally gluten-free, but if you're sensitive to gluten, be sure to check all your ingredients. Pay special attention to the chicken broth, which can sometimes have wheat flour, yeast extract, or other allergens, or leave it out entirely.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Cook Chicken Drumsticks in an Air Fryer
Season the chicken.
Pat the drumsticks completely dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, stir together the lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Rub the mixture all over the drumsticks, getting it into every bit of the skin. If you have a few extra minutes, let the chicken sit for 10 to 15 minutes so the flavors can soak in.
Place the chicken in the air fryer.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F if your model calls for it. Arrange the drumsticks in a single layer in the basket, leaving a little space between each piece so the air can circulate.
Cook the chicken and finish.
Cook for 20 to 24 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the skin is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. Squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over the top and sprinkle with parsley.
Equipment
I use a basket-style air fryer for this recipe, and I find it circulates air more evenly than the tray-style models. This helps the skin crisp up on all sides. If you're using a tray-style air fryer, you may need to flip the drumsticks a bit more often to get even browning.
A good meat thermometer is worth having on hand, too. Drumstick thickness can vary, so that's the most reliable way to know they're done.
Pro Tips
- Try to get drumsticks that are close to the same size, since uneven pieces mean some will finish cooking before others.
- Avoid crowding the basket, and if your air fryer is on the smaller side, just cook the drumsticks in two batches instead of piling them on top of each other.
- If you want to take the crispiness up a notch, try mixing about ¼ teaspoon of baking powder into the seasoning.
- A meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of this recipe, so once the thickest part of the drumstick hits 165°F, you know you're good to go.
Storage Instructions
Leftover drumsticks will keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days if you store them in an airtight container. When you're ready to reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 375°F for 3 to 4 minutes, just until they're warmed through and the skin crisps back up.
These freeze well too. Just let them cool completely and store in a freezer safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
FAQ
I'd recommend thawing them first, since cooking from frozen makes it much harder to get the seasoning to stick and the skin to crisp up evenly.
You can, though I'd only go that route if you're avoiding the skin for dietary reasons. It's what gets so crispy in the air fryer, and skinless drumsticks tend to cook a bit faster and dry out more easily, so just keep an eye on them.
Not necessarily. The drumsticks are already coated in olive oil, so they shouldn't stick to a well seasoned basket. If yours tends to stick, a quick spray of oil before adding the chicken can help.
More Air Fryer Recipes
Looking for other easy air fryer recipes like this? Try these:
Crispy Air Fryer Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks bone-in, skin-on(about 2 to 2.5 lb total)
- 1 lemon juiced and zested (plus extra lemon slices for serving, optional)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, plus more for garnish
- ½ cup chicken broth optional, for the bottom of the air fryer basket
Instructions
- Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels.
- In a small bowl, combine the lemon zest, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Rub the mixture all over the drumsticks, coating the skin well. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes if time allows. If using, add the chicken broth to the bottom of the air fryer basket to help keep the chicken moist as it cooks.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F, if your model requires it.
- Arrange the drumsticks in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between each piece. Air fry for 20 to 24 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the skin is golden and crisp and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let rest for 3 to 5 minutes. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top and sprinkle with parsley before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutritional information provided is an estimate. For specific dietary needs or concerns, we recommend consulting a nutrition calculator or a qualified expert.
Karen Kelly
Karen Kelly is a nationally syndicated food and travel writer, founder of Seasonal Cravings, and co-founder of The Roam Report. She develops approachable seasonal recipes and covers travel and lifestyle trends. Her work has appeared in numerous media outlets, including Yahoo, Taste of Home, Apple News, NBC, FOX, and other national and regional publications.
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