Airfried Chicken Drumsticks

Close-up of several crispy fried chicken wings on a metal tray with a small container of dipping sauce in the background.

These air fryer chicken drumsticks use crushed pork rinds for a crispy coating without breadcrumbs. Mayonnaise helps the coating stick while the air fryer cooks the chicken until golden outside and juicy inside.

Course Main Course, Main dishes

Cuisine American, International

Keyword air fried, air fryer basket, air fryer chicken, air fryer chicken drumsticks, air fryer chicken legs, chicken drumsticks, chicken leg, chicken thighs, crispy, crispy skin, drumstick, drumsticks in the air fryer, internal temperature, juicy, place the drumsticks, preheat the air fryer

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings Servings

Calories 191kcal

Author Zuzana Paar

Equipment

1 Air Fryer
1 Food Processor

Ingredients

10 Pieces Chicken Drumsticks
2 Tablespoons Mayonnaise 30ml
1 Cup Crushed Pork Rinds
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
1 teaspoon Paprika Powder
¼ teaspoon Salt
¼ teaspoon Black Pepper

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 400°Fahrenheit (200°Celsius), blend the pork rinds with the seasonings, and transfer to a shallow bowl.
Toss the drumsticks with mayonnaise until evenly coated.
Press each drumstick into the pork rind mixture until fully covered.
Air fry for 25–30 minutes until golden and crispy, checking that the chicken is fully cooked before serving.

Notes

Take the drumsticks out of the fridge 15 to 20 minutes before cooking. Cold chicken straight from the fridge takes longer to cook through evenly, and the coating can darken before the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Use a meat thermometer at the thickest point of each drumstick, away from the bone.
Do not open the air fryer basket in the first 20 minutes. Every time you open it, you drop the temperature inside, and the coating takes longer to set and crisp properly.
Add a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the food processor with the pork rinds and spices if you want more heat in the coating. It distributes evenly through the mixture and comes through as a clean background heat in every bite.

Nutrition