Chicken drumsticks, marinated with a dry rub, air fried and finished with a spicy glaze.
Air Fryer Spicy Drumsticks
While I know we're heading out of summer, I have sure been enjoying my air fryer in this summer heat!
It was an appliance I didn't really think I needed, so I was on the fence about getting one for quite awhile, but I sure am glad that I finally took the plunge. I literally use mine in some way almost every day, though I would say that if you are going to go beyond snack foods, french fries and frozen convenience foods, go for a larger oven style.
Although I started with a small basket air fryer like most folks, the one that lives on my counter and that I use regularly and love, is an Instant Vortex air fryer oven. There are many different brands of oven style air fryers on the market now.
These spicy drumsticks are based on my deviled wing recipe that some of you are familiar with. I've coated them with a lightly spicy rub and then left them to soak up the goodness of the marinade in the refrigerator, cooked them in the air fryer and finished them with a glaze.
As always, full recipe text with measurements and instructions, as well as a printable document, are a little bit further down the page. Just swipe or scroll past the step-by-step pictures below.
Here's how to make my Air Fryer Spicy Drumsticks.
Place chicken drumsticks in a covered container. Combine rub ingredients and sprinkle on both sides of drumsticks, seal container and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to overnight.
When ready to cook, let drumsticks come to room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat air fryer 3 minutes at 380 degrees F. Spray air fryer basket or trays with oil or non-stick spray and arrange drumsticks on the racks or in basket. With a basket style fryer, you will likely have to air fry in batches.
Cook for 30 minutes, or to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, swapping trays for an oven style air fryer or shaking basket halfway through.
Whisk.
The last 5 minutes of cooking time, brush the drumsticks with the glaze, reserving remainder for the table.
Return to the air fryer to set glaze.
Delicious!
Air Fryer Spicy Drumsticks
Yield: About 4 to 6 Servings
Chicken drumsticks, marinated with a dry rub, air fried and finished with a spicy glaze.
Ingredients
For the Rub:
- 4 pounds meaty chicken drumsticks
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon paprika, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
For the Glaze:
- 1/3 cup homemade or bottled Italian dressing
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Place chicken drumsticks in a covered container.
- Combine rub ingredients and sprinkle on both sides of drumsticks, seal and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to overnight.
- When ready to cook, let drumsticks come to room temperature for 30 minutes. Preheat air fryer 3 minutes at 380 degrees F.
- Spray air fryer basket or trays with oil or non-stick spray and arrange drumsticks on the rack.
- Cook for 30 minutes, or to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, swapping trays for an oven style air fryer or shaking basket halfway through.
- The last 5 minutes, brush the drumsticks with the glaze, reserving remainder for the table. Return chicken to the air fryer to set glaze.
Notes:
Just like ovens, individual air fryer brands differ in wattage and how they cook; monitor any air fryer recipe the first time you make it to adjust time as needed. Total time will also depend on type and size of ingredients used. When using a smaller, basket style air fryer, prepare in batches. I’m using the Instant Vortex 1500 watt air fryer oven.
Material Disclosure: Unless otherwise noted, you should assume that post links to the providers of goods and services mentioned, establish an affiliate relationship and/or other material connection and that I may be compensated when you purchase from a provider. You are never under any obligation to purchase anything when using my recipes and you should always perform due diligence before buying goods or services from anyone via the Internet or offline.
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