This Crispy Skin Baked Chicken Drumsticks recipe is a mouth-watering delicacy that your whole family will love. This is an easy recipe with juicy, flavorful chicken that can be perfect for any dinner or gathering.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
The beauty of these baked chicken drumsticks is that the skin is so crispy, yet so tender and moist on the inside.
The spices work so well together to create just the right balance that delivers a bold and pleasant flavor that will delight your senses. Can you tell how much I love this recipe?
And I’m not the only one. I make a batch of twelve pieces of drumsticks, and it doesn’t last more than a few hours in my home. My son can eat six pieces all by himself if I allow him!
Ingredients Used
- Chicken drumsticks: I use 12 chicken drumsticks for this recipe.
- Olive oil: This forms the base of the marinade.
- Coconut aminos: You can use soy sauce instead.
- Smoked paprika: Made from pimiento peppers dried and smoked over an oak fire, smoked paprika lends a rich, smoky flavor to this recipe. It also provides some color with mild heat.
- Cayenne pepper: This pepper provides a lot of heat depending on how much you use. It is also popularly used medicinally to aid digestive health, lower blood pressure, and relieve pain, among other great benefits.
- Black pepper: Known for its sharp aroma and woody flavor, black pepper lends a different kind of spicy to these drumsticks.
- Rosemary: I use rosemary as my herb of choice because I really love the lemon-pine flavor it gives. You can use your favorite herb here but be careful not to add too much, or it might become overpowering.
- Bouillon powder: These are concentrated stock cubes that give a burst of flavor to these chicken drumsticks. I use the chicken flavor, but there are different flavors out there, or you can use vegetable bouillon instead if you prefer. If you leave this out, you’ll need to add more salt.
- Salt to taste.
How to Make Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks
You can make this recipe in the oven or air fryer.
- Preheat your oven or air fryer to 400F.
- Wash and pat the chicken drumsticks dry with some paper towels.
- Mix the coconut aminos, olive oil, and spices in a bowl. Mix with a fork or whisk till it is completely blended in.
- Smear it all over the drumsticks and rub it in. You can use your bare hands or wear a glove, which I do because it can get under my nails, which I don’t like.
- Rub in as much as you can to be sure there is contact with most parts of the chicken. You don’t need to let it sit or marinade because the spices will penetrate deep into the drumsticks due to the longer cooking time.
- If you’re using an oven, line the baking pan to prevent drippings, or better yet, use a crisper tray that will collect the drippings and prevent them from getting on your coil.
- Bake for 40 minutes in the oven flipping halfway, or in the air fryer for 30 minutes flipping halfway.
- Let it cool for a few minutes as the skin will begin to crisp up even more. Dive in and enjoy with your favorite vegetable side or creamy dip!
Recipe Tips and Variations
- After you wash the chicken, let all the water drain, either by patting them dry or leaving them in a colander. You want the chicken to completely dry so it will crisp up quickly.
- Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 175 degrees before you take it out.
- Use the drippings as a sauce. Just toss the already-baked chicken in, rub it in, and you’re good to go.
- If you want less heat, reduce the cayenne pepper by half. If you want more, add as much as you can handle!
- For an alternative non-spicy seasoning, try this homemade chicken seasoning recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I bake chicken drumsticks?
Drumsticks take a bit longer to cook than chicken breasts because of their higher fat content and density. The drumsticks should cook to an internal temperature of 175. Don’t eyeball it; use a thermometer to be safe.
The air fryer setting on the model I use is roughly 400F. I bake it for 40 minutes because not only do I want it very crispy, but I also like it completely cooked on the inside.
Try these other delicious keto chicken recipes!
- Keto Spicy Hot Wings
- Keto Stuffed Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Keto Chicken Tenders
- Keto Teriyaki Chicken
- Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Breast
📖 Recipe
Crispy Skin Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 12 chicken drumsticks with skin on
- 3 tablespoon coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon bouillon powder
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
In The Oven
- Preheat the oven 400F (200C).
- Wash and pat the chicken drumsticks dry with some paper towels.12 chicken drumsticks
- Pour the coconut aminos and spices into a bowl.3 tablespoon coconut aminos, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon bouillon powder, 1 teaspoon rosemary, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon salt
- Mix with a fork or whisk till it is completely blended in.
- Rub the spice marinade all over the chicken drumsticks.
- Arrange the chicken on a baking pan and back for 40 minutes, flipping halfway.
In The Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer to 400F.
- Mix the marinade and rub on the chicken like stated in the instructions above.
- Arrange the chicken in an air fryer basket and air fryer for 30 minutes, flipping halfway.
Notes
- Make sure all the water drains from the drumsticks after washing to ensure it crisps up quickly.
- Check to be sure the internal temperature of the drumsticks reaches at least 175 degrees before you take it out. Don’t eyeball it.
- Don’t toss the dripping! Use as a sauce by rubbing on the chicken just before serving.
- If you want less heat, reduce the cayenne pepper by half. If you want more, add as much as you can handle!
Nutrition
Tayo Oredola is the founder of Low Carb Africa, where she shares healthy, low carb dishes with global flavors. She is passionate about teaching people how to cook drool-worthy dishes while losing weight and living their best lives. Tayo’s recipes have been featured on MSN, Women’s Health, Parade, Yahoo News, Pure Wow, Essence, and other online publications.
These are amazing. You are my new best friend. I love Keto, spice, and authenticity. I will be trying your turkey wings this Christmas. Thank you.
I am so glad you enjoyed this, MsVee! The turkey wings are also a winner. Merry Christmas to you!
Are you sure cooking drumsticks at 400* for 60 minutes is correct?
Thanks
Deb
Yes. My chicken thighs were really large and thick, so I needed 60 minutes. You might have to reduce the cooking time if the chicken is a lot smaller.
Hi,
I made this chicken today and it was delicious!! I did I have the coconut amino so I left it out. Crispy outside and juicy inside. I am definitely making it again and again. I had three pieces already. Delicious!!! Thank you! Looking forward to trying more of your recipes.
Thank you so much for your feedback, Angel! Let me know which other recipes you try.
What can I use in place of coconut aminos?
Hi Kemi, you can use soy sauce or omit it entirely.