Chicken Drumsticks Air Fryer Cooking Time
Bone-in drumsticks, single layer.
Temperature400°F200°C
Time20–24minutes
Safe internal165°F74°C · USDA
Turn every 8 minutes.
Safe at 165°F, but drumsticks are noticeably better at 175–180°F where the connective tissue softens.
How to cook Chicken Drumsticks in an air fryer
- Dry the skin thoroughly and salt it well — this is what makes the skin crisp rather than rubbery.
- Stand them on end leaning against the basket wall if you need to fit more in.
- Sauce after cooking, never before. Sugar in barbecue sauce burns long before the meat is done.
Cooking Chicken Drumsticks from frozen
From frozen, cook for 28–33 minutes at 400°F. Cook frozen at 360°F so the outside does not scorch.
Common questions
How long do you air fry Chicken Drumsticks?
Chicken Drumsticks takes 20–24 minutes at 400°F (200°C) in an air fryer. Turn every 8 minutes. Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
How do you get crispy skin on air fryer drumsticks?
Dry the skin completely, salt it, and cook at 400°F. Optionally toss with ½ tsp baking powder per pound — it raises the skin pH and crisps it further.
Converting your own recipe
If you have an oven recipe for Chicken Drumsticks and want to work it out yourself, the rule is to drop the temperature by 25°F and cut the time by 20%. The oven to air fryer converter does it for you.