Crispy Skin Baked Chicken Drumsticks

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Published on Jul 24, 2024. Updated on Jul 24, 2024. By Tayo. This post may contain affiliate links. See Disclosure. 24 Comments

This Crispy Skin Baked Chicken Drumsticks recipe is a mouth-watering delicacy that your whole family will love. This is an easy recipe with juicy, flavorful chicken that can be perfect for any dinner or gathering.

Crispy skin baked chicken drumsticks served for a family dinner

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The beauty of these baked chicken drumsticks is that the skin is so crispy, yet so tender and moist on the inside.

The spices work so well together to create just the right balance that delivers a bold and pleasant flavor that will delight your senses. Can you tell how much I love this recipe?

And I’m not the only one. I make a batch of twelve pieces of drumsticks, and it doesn’t last more than a few hours in my home. My son can eat six pieces all by himself if I allow him!

Ingredients Used

spices used in making baked chicken drumsticks

Chicken drumsticks: I use 12 chicken drumsticks for this recipe.
Olive oil: This forms the base of the marinade.
Coconut aminos: You can use soy sauce instead.
Smoked paprika: Made from pimiento peppers dried and smoked over an oak fire, smoked paprika lends a rich, smoky flavor to this recipe. It also provides some color with mild heat.
Cayenne pepper: This pepper provides a lot of heat depending on how much you use. It is also popularly used medicinally to aid digestive health, lower blood pressure, and relieve pain, among other great benefits.
Black pepper: Known for its sharp aroma and woody flavor, black pepper lends a different kind of spicy to these drumsticks.
Rosemary: I use rosemary as my herb of choice because I really love the lemon-pine flavor it gives. You can use your favorite herb here but be careful not to add too much, or it might become overpowering.
Bouillon powder: These are concentrated stock cubes that give a burst of flavor to these chicken drumsticks. I use the chicken flavor, but there are different flavors out there, or you can use vegetable bouillon instead if you prefer. If you leave this out, you’ll need to add more salt.
Salt to taste.

How to Make Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks

You can make this recipe in the oven or air fryer.

spices mixed in marinade for baked chicken drumsticks

chicken drumsticks washed and ready to bake

Crispy skin baked chicken drumsticks mixed with spices

Preheat your oven or air fryer to 400F.
Wash and pat the chicken drumsticks dry with some paper towels.
Mix the coconut aminos, olive oil, and spices in a bowl. Mix with a fork or whisk till it is completely blended in.
Smear it all over the drumsticks and rub it in. You can use your bare hands or wear a glove, which I do because it can get under my nails, which I don’t like.
Rub in as much as you can to be sure there is contact with most parts of the chicken. You don’t need to let it sit or marinade because the spices will penetrate deep into the drumsticks due to the longer cooking time.
If you’re using an oven, line the baking pan to prevent drippings, or better yet, use a crisper tray that will collect the drippings and prevent them from getting on your coil.
Bake for 40 minutes in the oven flipping halfway, or in the air fryer for 30 minutes flipping halfway.
Let it cool for a few minutes as the skin will begin to crisp up even more. Dive in and enjoy with your favorite vegetable side or creamy dip!

baked chicken drumsticks lined on a tray

Recipe Tips and Variations

After you wash the drumsticks, let all the water drain, either by patting them dry or leaving them in a colander. You want the chicken to completely dry so it will crisp up quickly.
Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 175 degrees before you take it out.
Use the drippings as a sauce. Just toss the already-baked chicken in, rub it in, and you’re good to go.
If you want less heat, reduce the cayenne pepper by half. If you want more, add as much as you can handle!
For an alternative non-spicy seasoning, try this homemade chicken seasoning recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I bake chicken drumsticks?

Drumsticks take a bit longer to cook than chicken breasts because of their higher fat content and density. The drumsticks should cook to an internal temperature of 175. Don’t eyeball it; use a thermometer to be safe.

The air fryer setting on the model I use is roughly 400F. I bake it for 40 minutes because not only do I want it very crispy, but I also like it completely cooked on the inside.

Try these other delicious keto chicken recipes!

Crispy skin baked chicken drumsticks served and ready to eat

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