Rolled in mayo and dipped in Panko, I LOVE how these air fryer chicken drumsticks get so crispy on the outside while keeping the meat tender, juicy, and full of flavor. They taste like KFC!
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Crispy air fryer chicken drumsticks have become our family's favorite meal because of their incredible taste. The golden brown crunchy exterior and juicy, tender dark chicken meat inside are a perfect combination that I can't resist. Cooking the chicken legs in the air fryer is very convenient - no more heating up the oven or standing over the stovetop wrangling with a pot of hot oil! More air fryer chicken recipes I love are Crispy Air Fryer Cornflake Chicken, Crispy and Juicy Air-fried Chicken Thighs, and Homemade Crispy Chicken Nuggets.
My secret to getting the breading to stick to the drumsticks is to have the chicken fully covered in mayo. I use a combination of mayo and mustard for the coating mix. Generously mayo-coated chicken helps the Panko breadcrumbs adhere to the meat better.
Ingredients
- 6 chicken drumsticks, with skin on.
- ¾ cup mayonnaise.
- 3 tablespoons yellow mustard. I used Dijon with white wine (found at Trader Joe’s).
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs.
- ½ cup grated Parmesan Cheese.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- 1 teaspoon Paprika seasoning.
- Salt and pepper, to taste.
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit (198° C).
- While the air fryer is preheating, season your chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Paprika.
- Then, in a shallow dish, whisk together mayo and mustard.
- Next, mix bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese in a separate dish. I used Panko breadcrumbs.
- Dip each chicken drumstick in the mayo mixture until fully coated. Use the handy food-basting brush, if needed. (Image 1)
- Then roll in the Panko bread crumbs. Make sure the chicken is well coated. Shake off the excess. (Image 2).
- Place the chicken drumsticks in the air fryer basket, and give them approx ½ inch space from each other. (Image 3)
- Air fry for 20-24 minutes, flipping once halfway through. (Image 4). Until the chicken meat cooked inside and reached the internal temperature of 165°F. My Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 Air fryer has a built-in meat thermometer, which alerts me when the chicken is done.
Make it a Meal
Serve with a dipping sauce on the side, and you have a delicious and satisfying meal. Try them with my homemade Chipotle sauce.
Pair chicken drumsticks with roasted vegetables. They are amazing with Onion potatoes, Air-fried carrots, and Sauteed Onions, then toss with some fresh herbs before serving.
Save Leftovers
Let the drumsticks cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. This will help to prevent them from drying out.
Reheat chicken drumsticks in the air fryer at 390F for 2 minutes per side, or until they're heated through. This will bring their outer crisp and crunch back.
Juicy and Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Rolled in mayo and dipped in Panko, I LOVE how these air fryer chicken drumsticks get so crispy on the outside while keeping the meat tender, juicy, and full of flavor. They taste like KFC!
Ingredients
- 6 chicken drumsticks, with skin.
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard. I used Dijon with white wine (found at Trader Joe’s)
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Ranch Buttermilk seasoning.
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
- While the air fryer is preheating, season your chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder and Ranch Buttermilk seasoning. Or any other desired spices.
- Then, in a shallow dish, whisk together mayo and mustard.
- Next, in a separate dish, mix together bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. I used Panko breadcrumbs.
- Roll each chicken drumstick in the mayo mixture until coated, then dip in the Panko bread crumbs. Make sure the chicken is well coated in the bread crumbs..
- Place the chicken drumsticks in the air fryer basket, making sure that they are not touching each other.
- Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
Notes
When storing air fryer chicken drumsticks, always allow them to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container.
This will help to prevent them from drying out. Reheat chicken drumsticks in the air fryer on medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until they're heated through.
And if you really want to ensure that your chicken is as crispy as possible, you can always pop them back in the air fryer for a minute or two before serving. With these simple tips, you can enjoy perfectly cooked air fryer chicken drumsticks any time!
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