Air fryer buffalo chicken drumsticks have a mouth-watering crispy skin and juicy, tender meat in every bite. Easily adjust the heat level, they're always a hit whether serving as a weeknight dinner, a game day feast, or a quick snack.
Not only is the slow cooker my best friend, so is my air fryer! The beauty of it is that air fryer Buffalo chicken drumsticks or legs can be done in under 40 minutes. If the need for speed is in order, then here is a recipe for the best air fryer Buffalo chicken drumsticks or chicken legs you'll ever make!
This was inspired by my incredible buffalo chicken thighs and air fryer buffalo chicken wings recipe on this site, and pairs well with this collection of buffalo chicken recipes.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- This budget-friendly, perfectly crispy chicken drumsticks recipe results in flavorful, juicy meat and is super quick and easy to make.
- Air frying produces consistent results and is always a kid-friendly crowd pleaser.
Ingredients
To start creating your own air fryer buffalo chicken drumsticks, you need to gather the following ingredients.
- Chicken Drumsticks: Use chicken leg quarters instead, if desired.
- Vegetable Oil: Use your favorite oil or cooking spray instead.
Spice Rub
- Paprika: Use smoked paprika, chili powder, chili pepper flakes, our jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder for more heat and slightly different flavor.
- Salt: Always a flavor enhancer and use seasoned salt instead if desired.
- Pepper: Adds flavor and feel free to use cayenne if preferred. Remember you can add more or less depending on your heat tolerance.
Buffalo Wing Sauce
- Unsalted Butter: Adds flavor and a smooth rich taste to your sauce.
- Hot Sauce: The base for this spicy sauce.
- Molasses: The sweetness from light or dark molasses is what you need. Avoid blackstrap molasses as it's too bitter and if you prefer, honey works great too.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce nicely.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
Substitutions and Variations
Don't have the correct ingredients on hand? Or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change up this recipe.
- Additional Seasonings: Add garlic powder and/or onion powder to the buffalo sauce if desired. A splash of Worcestershire sauce also adds a hint of smokiness to your buffalo sauce, if desired.
- Different Sauce: Instead of homemade buffalo sauce use store-bought or your favorite barbecue sauce instead.
Instructions
This air fryer chicken buffalo drumstick recipe could not be easier.
Combine paprika, pepper and salt in a bowl. Pat drumsticks dry with paper towel. Using a sharp knife or metal skewer, poke 10 to 15 holes in the skin of each drumstick. Rub with oil and sprinkle evenly with spice mixture.
Arrange drumsticks in air fryer basket, spaced evenly apart, alternating ends and skin side up if using chicken legs.
Cook until chicken DRUMSTICKS are crisp and register 195 degrees, 22 to 25 minutes, flipping and rotating chicken halfway through cooking.
Cook until chicken LEGS are well browned and crisp and register 195 degrees, 27 to 30 minutes, rotating chicken halfway through cooking but do not flip the chicken.
While chicken is close to finished cooking, microwave hot sauce, butter, molasses (or honey), and cornstarch in large bowl, stirring occasionally, until hot, about 1 minute, maybe 2. Do a taste test to see if more molasses or honey is required. Honey was our ingredient of choice for years in our homemade buffalo sauce but when I switched to molasses, the difference was astounding and I hope you'll try it.
Brush with buffalo sauce and cook for 2 more minutes. Transfer chicken to large plate, tent loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 minutes.
Add chicken and toss with more buffalo sauce until coated in large bowl or brush more on before serving. Serve.
Hint: For crispier skin pat your chicken drumsticks dry with paper towel before seasoning to remove as much excess moisture as possible.
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs, Buffalo Chicken Ranch Pasta, Butterfly Drumsticks, Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (No Breading), Air Fryer General Tso's Chicken, Buffalo Chicken Bites or our delicious Easy Crock Pot Salsa Chicken recipe!
Storage
Refrigerator:
Place cooled drumsticks in an airtight container or wrapped tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap inside the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezer:
Wrap drumsticks individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag or airtight container inside the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat from frozen, thaw your drumsticks in the fridge overnight and reheat as suggested below.
Reheat:
When ready to enjoy your drumsticks again, preheat your oven or air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place your drumsticks on a baking sheet or an air fryer basket and reheat for about 10-15 minutes. The goal is to heat them through while restoring their exterior to a satisfying crunch.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks
- Serve with Dip: Cool and creamy buttermilk ranch dip or buffalo ranch sauce balances out the heat or our popular quick blue cheese dip or creamy blue cheese dip are also tangy flavorful options.
- Fresh Vegetables: Celery and carrot sticks are classic choices that provide a wonderfully crisp contrast to the heat. Sweet peppers, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber and your favorites will also work well.
- Serving Options: They go excellently with so many sides, Check out our starch side dishes for some great ideas. Grandma's Coleslaw or Jalapeño Coleslaw, Broccoli Salad, Cucumber Salad, Bell Pepper Salad, Greek Rice Salad or Greek Pasta Salad work great too.
Tips
- For appetizers or a snack, plan on 2 drumsticks per person. However, if served as the main course, aim for 3 to 4 drumsticks per person.
- For crispier skin pat your chicken drumsticks dry with paper towel before seasoning to remove as much excess moisture as possible.
- Rub the spices all over the drumsticks, including beneath the skin before cooking.
- Place the drumsticks in a single layer inside your air fryer basket so they cook evenly and try not to overcrowd them. Air needs to circulate to achieve even cooking and a crisp skin.
- Cook in multiple smaller batches if necessary, and keep the already cooked drumsticks warm in a 250 degree oven if needed, to serve all drumsticks warm and crisp at the same time.
- Halfway through cooking, rotate drumsticks to ensure all sides are golden brown.
- Apply the buffalo sauce after cooking to keep the skin crispy.
- Preheat your air fryer for a few minutes before adding the drumsticks to help achieve crispy skin.
- Always check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it is safely cooked.
- Allow drumsticks to rest for a few minutes before serving so buffalo sauce sets and flavors meld together.
FAQ
It's not ideal to stack chicken drumsticks in an air fryer, as it can lead to uneven cooking. For best results, place them in a single layer, allowing enough space for the air to circulate and cook the drumsticks evenly.
Breading is not necessary for air frying chicken drumsticks, but it can add extra crunch. If you prefer to skip the breading, simply season the drumsticks or marinate them to infuse flavor.
Video
More Chicken Drumstick Recipes
Do you like chicken drumsticks? Here some recipes you may also like to try.
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
- skewers to poke holes in skin
- small microwave bowl
- whisk or spoon
Ingredients
- 4 chicken drumsticks or 2 chicken legs, trimmed
- 1 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Spice Rub
Buffalo Sauce Coating
- 6 tablespoons hot sauce
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 4 teaspoons molasses or honey
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees for a few minutes..
- Combine paprika, pepper or cayenne and salt in a bowl.
- Pat drumsticks dry with paper towel. Using a sharp knife or metal skewer, poke 10 to 15 holes in skin of each drumstick or chicken leg, through the skin.
- Rub with oil and sprinkle evenly with spice mixture. Rub the spices all over the drumsticks, including beneath the skin.
- Arrange drumsticks or chicken legs in air fryer basket, spaced evenly apart, alternating ends.
- Place basket in air fryer.
- Cook until chicken DRUMSTICKS are crisp and register 195 degrees, 22 to 25 minutes, flipping and rotating chicken halfway through cooking.
- Cook until chicken LEGS are well browned and crisp and register 195 degrees, 27 to 30 minutes, rotating chicken halfway through cooking but do not flip the chicken.
- Meanwhile, microwave hot sauce, butter, molasses, and cornstarch in a large bowl, stirring occasionally, until hot, about 1 minute, maybe 2.
- Brush with buffalo sauce once chicken is cooked and air fry for 2 more minutes.
- Transfer chicken to large plate, tent loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Add chicken and toss to coat in more buffalo sauce in large bowl or brush more on before serving. Enjoy every bite.
Video
Notes
- For appetizers or a snack, plan on 2 drumsticks per person. However, if served as the main course, aim for 3 to 4 drumsticks per person.
- For crispier skin pat your chicken drumsticks dry with paper towel before seasoning to remove as much excess moisture as possible.
- Rub the spices all over the drumsticks, including beneath the skin before cooking.
- Place the drumsticks in a single layer inside your air fryer basket so they cook evenly and try not to overcrowd them. Air needs to circulate to achieve even cooking and a crisp skin.
- Cook in multiple smaller batches if necessary, and keep the already cooked drumsticks warm in a 250 degree oven if needed, to serve all drumsticks warm and crisp at the same time.
- Halfway through cooking, rotate drumsticks to ensure all sides are golden brown.
- Apply the buffalo sauce after cooking to keep the skin crispy.
- Preheat your air fryer for a few minutes before adding the drumsticks to help achieve crispy skin.
- Always check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it is safely cooked.
- Allow drumsticks to rest for a few minutes before serving so buffalo sauce sets and flavors meld together.
Kelly Ann says
Love this recipe! These drumsticks turned out so good. Kid and husband approved! Will definitely make again! Thank you Diva for sharing this ❤️
Karin and Ken says
As always you’re most welcome. I try my best. I’m glad you enjoyed this easy recipe. All the best. Karin