This air fryer fried chicken is my favorite way to make fried chicken without all the mess and extra oil! I season chicken drumsticks with a delicious blend of spices, then cook them in the air fryer until golden and crispy. This recipe couldn’t be any easier, and I love that I can have dinner on the table in just 30 minutes!
I’m all for a good piece of fried chicken, but I don’t always have the time to set up my deep fryer. That’s why I love this fried chicken air fryer recipe – it gives me that same crispy, flavorful chicken without all the hassle. The chicken is always perfectly cooked and juicy, with a seasoned crust that turns out just right every time. A recipe that satisfies my fried chicken cravings AND saves me time? Yes, please!
What’s in This Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe?
This recipe has less than 5 ingredients (I wasn’t joking when I said it was easy!), and you probably already have most of them in your pantry.
- Chicken: Use bone-in skin-on chicken drumsticks for the best results.
- Canola Oil: Just a little bit goes a long way to help crisp up the chicken in the air fryer.
- Seasoning: My go-to seasoning blend for this recipe is smoked paprika (regular paprika also works), chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. It gives the chicken a good balance of flavor without being too spicy or overpowering.
- Baking Powder: The secret to getting a crispy, golden crust in the air fryer.
Variations To Try
I love this basic seasoning mix, but you can easily adapt the recipe to suit your own tastes. Make them spicy by adding a little cayenne to the seasoning, or use a taco, Italian, or ranch rub instead!
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How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover air fry fried chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, preheat your air fryer to 375°F and cook the chicken for about 5 minutes or until heated through.
How to Freeze
Let the chicken drumsticks cool completely, then lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for about an hour before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Your air fried fried chicken will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. Always let them thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating!
Notes and Tips
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket, as this will stop the chicken from cooking evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to do more than one batch.
- I always pat the chicken dry with a paper towel before tossing in the seasoning mix. It helps the seasoning stick to the chicken better and makes them really crispy in the air fryer!
- For the juiciest fried chicken, let the drumsticks rest for 5 minutes after cooking. The juices will redistribute and make the chicken even more tender.
- Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer to check if you’re unsure.
Top Reader Reviews
“This is a keeper. Smells so good when making and tastes great” – Mel
“Loved this recipe!!” – Emmett Worthy
Air Fryer Fried Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken drumsticks about 8
- 1½ tablespoons canola oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or sub. regular paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
Instructions
- Pat dry drumsticks.2 pounds chicken drumsticks
- In a large bowl, toss the drumsticks with the oil, then toss with the spices and baking powder to fully coat.1½ tablespoons canola oil, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 tablespoon baking powder
- Transfer chicken to the Air Fryer in a single layer (cook in two batches, if needed). Air fry at 375℉ for 25-30 minutes. Flip drumsticks halfway to ensure even cooking. The drumsticks are done when they are fully cooked (internal temperature is 165℉), browned, and crispy.
Notes
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning it. This helps it get extra crispy.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. The chicken should be in a single layer, so cook in two batches if needed.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute so that they won’t be dry.
How to Make Air Fryer Fried Chicken Step by Step
Dry the Chicken: Using a paper towel, pat dry 2 pounds of chicken drumsticks.
Make the Seasoning: Mix 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 tablespoon baking powder in a large bowl.
Season the Chicken: Coat the chicken drumsticks with 1 1/2 tablespoons of canola oil and then toss them in the seasoning mix.
Cook in the Air Fryer: Put the chicken drumsticks into the Air Fryer basket in a single layer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Cook for 25-30 minutes at 375℉, turning the chicken halfway through. The chicken is done when the skin is crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165℉.
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can oven-bake these too. They won’t be quite as crispy, but they will still be delicious! Bake them at 375℉ for 30 to 40 minutes until cooked through.
I loved this recipe, turned out so nice and crisp. Family said it is a keeper!!
That sounds like a win!
Loved this recipe!!
So glad you enjoyed it, Emmett!
This is a keeper. Smells so goo when making and tastes great
Yay! I’m so glad you love this recipe, Mel!