Looking for an easy flavorful marinade for your chicken drumsticks? These family favorite chicken legs with their crispy skin and juicy interior always hit the spot!

These chicken drumsticks sold me on the air fryer. Pair them with a quick salad and some sweet potato fries and you've got a meal everyone loves. While they're not traditionally Pakistani like this Chicken Ginger or Chicken Pulao they have enough flavour to keep us coming back for seconds... maybe more.
Five Things I LOVE About These Air Fryer Drumsticks
- they're SO EASY to make! marinate, air fry. the end.
- that SKIN. that glorious crispy flavorful skin
- The juicy interior - I love how the interior of the chicken is so juicy!
- NO DEEP FRYING!
- BOTH my girls like them. Now if you have kids you'll know that's no easy feat to accomplish.
Ingredients List
- A dozen drumsticks - yes, a dozen, but feel free to halve/adjust as needed!
- Marinade - Soy Sauce, Ginger Paste/ Crushed Ginger, Garlic Paste/Crushed Garlic, Chili Flakes, Chili Powder, Dried Oregano, Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Salt & Pepper
- Oil for spraying/brushing over the chickens
Prepping & Freezing
You can marinade the chicken up to two days in advance, it will still be good on day three, but the flavours to tend to change. I find that that's the case with freezing it as well. However, sometimes a busy mamas gotta do what she's gotta do. Just remember to defrost and bring it to room temp before air frying!
Some Other Fun Recipes to Try
Made these Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks? Rate them by clicking the number of stars you want to give it on the recipe below! Tag me in your recreations on Instagram @flourandspiceblog
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 12 drumsticks
Marinade
- 1.5 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1.5 tbsp Crushed Ginger
- 1.5 tbsp Crushed Garlic
- 1.5 tbsp Dried Oregano
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Chili Flakes
- 1 tsp Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Crushed/Minced Green Chilies (if you want it spicy)
- Oil for air frying
Instructions
- Combine all the marinade ingredients in a bowl
- Score the chicken pieces with a sharp knife and cover the chicken with the marinade making sure to rub it well
- Marinade overnight or at least 6 hours
- Preheat your air fryer to 390F
- Place your chicken inside and cook for ten minutes undisturbed. Do make sure to leave space between the drumsticks. You will likely need to cook the drumsticks in batches
- Flip them over after ten minutes, spray with a little oil if they are looking dry, then cook them for another 10-15 minutes until the skin outside is bronze and the chicken is cooked through.
Ayesha says
What would be the temperature and time if I wanted to bake these instead? (Don’t have an air fryer)
Sarah Mir says
Hi Ayesha! No worries - a air fryer is essentially a convection oven so dropping the temp to 350 and baking for 35-40 minutes (flipping halfway) should do the trick!
shafaq says
Quick and easy and super flavorful. I cooked it on the stove and in the oven also. Love the marinade .
Mariam Ghaznavi says
Tried this recipe and my super foodie husband loved it! Super simple and easy to make and tasted delicious!
Sarah Mir says
that is fantastic to hear Mariam! THANK YOU for trying it, your comment, and rating!
tayyaba moazzam says
Tried drumsticks today and they were finger lickin’ goood!
Tho i deep fried them and had with buffalo sauce🤌🏻
Sarah Mir says
Oooh I love your twist on them!
Maria z says
Are these skinless legs or with skin?
Thanks
Sarah Mir says
With skin! It's so much tastier that way!
Sabira says
Absolutely love this recipe. It's so easy to make and super delicious. Thanks Sarah!
Sarah Mir says
I am so glad to hear that Sabira! Thank you!
Munawar Shariff says
Approximately would the 12 drumsticks be a kilo?
Sarah Mir says
Hi Munawar! I think it's a little more depending on the size of the drumsticks