Easy Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks (Oven and Slow Cooker)

These buffalo chicken drumsticks are super easy to make so they're perfect for busy weeknights. Bake them in the oven or in the slow cooker depending on your preference! A simple 3-ingredient homemade buffalo sauce infuses the chicken with plenty of flavor making this a super satisfying meal.

Ever feel like there just isn't enough meat on Buffalo chicken wings to be truly satisfied? This easy-baked buffalo chicken legs recipe is the answer!!

When the craving hits for Buffalo wings (and I get them often than not), I have the option of making these oven Buffalo chicken drumsticks or sometimes these Buffalo chicken thighs depending on the type of chicken I've got on hand.

Even better you can bake them in the oven or use the slow cooker for hands-off cooking. If you're looking to cook them in the air fryer, try my air fryer buffalo drumsticks recipe. Baked chicken drumsticks became the gold standard for my family and hopefully for yours as well!

I've had plenty of inspiration for this recipe since I love cooking with buffalo sauce. Consider trying this buffalo chicken stuffed potatoes, buffalo chicken mac and cheese, cheesy buffalo chicken dip, and buffalo chicken enchiladas recipes next.

Why You Will Love This Buffalo Drumstick Recipe

• Taste So Good. These crispy, flavorful buffalo chicken drumsticks are packed with bold, tangy, and spicy flavors that you'll love.
• Save Money On Groceries. Buffalo drumsticks are a budget-friendly, easy recipe made with just a few simple ingredients.
• Easy to Make. No matter which method you choose, these baked buffalo chicken legs are perfect for busy weeknights or casual get-togethers.
• Two Cooking Methods. Use the oven or slow cooker! Both yield excellent results!

Ingredients to Make Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks

Here's a quick look at what you need to gather to make this drumstick recipe. Be sure to check the recipe card for the full ingredient list and quantities of each.

• Chicken Drumsticks: Perfect for a cost-effective weeknight meal. This recipe also works with chicken leg quarters if preferred.
• Cooking Spray: Use your favorite vegetable oil instead and brush it on.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds wonderful flavor and a smooth rich taste to your buffalo sauce.
• Hot Sauce: The base for this classic spicy sauce.
• Molasses: You need the sweetness from light or dark molasses to balance the spiciness of the hot sauce. Avoid blackstrap molasses as it's too bitter. You can use honey instead if you don't have molasses.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce nicely.
• Paprika: Used to season the chicken but feel free to use smoked paprika, chili powder, chili pepper flakes, our jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder for more heat and a slightly different flavor.

Substitutions and Variations

• In a Hurry? Skip the homemade buffalo sauce and use store-bought instead.
• Experiment with Different Wing Sauce Flavors. This Asian Zing Sauce, Caribbean Jerk Sauce, and Spicy Garlic Sauce are a few options.

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Legs in the Oven

Let's get started cooking! Here's a quick glance at the steps involved in using the oven to bake buffalo drumsticks. Be sure to read the recipe card for the full details and instructions.

1. Place the rinsed and dry drumsticks in a bowl of plastic bag. Add the paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss them until fully coated.
2. Transfer the drumsticks to a sprayed wire rack or prepared sheet pan leaving space between each. Bake until the skin is crisp and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.

3. Combine the ingredients to make the quick buffalo sauce in a small bowl.
4. Stir together with a whisk until well combined. This sauce makes about a cup which is more than enough for this recipe. If you have leftovers you can store them in a jar to use later on.

5. Coat the chicken legs with your Buffalo wing sauce using a brush.  Bake the drumsticks for another 5 minutes.
6. Remove the pan from the oven and coat with more buffalo wing sauce.

Serve your buffalo chicken with additional buffalo wing sauce, blue cheese, Caesar or ranch dip, or dressing on the side. Check out my Best Dips Recipes and discover a world of dips that go with so many things! 

Ahhhh....lovely! Enjoy every bite!

⭐️ Hint: Pat dry the drumsticks with paper towels before seasoning or coating to help the skin become extra crispy.

How to Make Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks

If you prefer to cook your drumsticks in a slow cooker here's how to do it.

1. Place the seasoned chicken drumsticks inside the crockpot after spraying well or brushing the sides with oil.
2. Cover and cook the chicken until tender. This usually takes between 4 and 5 hours on low.

3. Transfer the chicken to a sprayed rack. Broil the chicken until lightly browned and slightly charred, a few minutes, flipping chicken drumsticks halfway through broiling.
4. Brush the chicken with buffalo sauce and continue to broil until lightly charred, about 5 minutes, flipping and brushing chicken with more sauce halfway through broiling. Brush chicken with remaining sauce.

PRO TIP: For best results, adjust the oven rack at least 6 inches from the broiler. Make sure to line a rimmed baking sheet with tinfoil with a rack and coat it with cooking spray to make for easy cleanup.

If you love this recipe you may also enjoy our Slow Cooker Honey Barbecue Drumsticks, Buffalo Chicken Bites or Baked Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings.

Storage

Storing: Store the cooled drumsticks inside a resealable container for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to reheat, allow to defrost in the fridge overnight.

Reheat: When you're ready to reheat, preheat your oven to 325°F (175°C). Place the drumsticks on a baking sheet and bake for about 10-15 minutes or until they are heated through.

You can also heat them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until they reach the desired temperature.

What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Legs

• Serve with A Sauce: Cool and creamy buttermilk ranch dip or buffalo ranch sauce balances out the heat. This quick blue cheese dip or creamy blue cheese dip are also tangy flavorful options for buffalo chicken legs.
• 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

• How to Know You're Chicken is Done. It's crucial to cook the chicken to the proper internal temperature to ensure both safety and quality. The internal temperature of cooked chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature by inserting it into the thickest part of the drumstick, away from the bone.
• Prepping the Chicken Legs. Remove any excess fat on the drumsticks to prevent burning while baking.
• Secret to Crisp Skin. Pat dry the drumsticks with paper towels before seasoning or coating to help the skin become extra crispy.
• Adjustable Cooking Time. If the drumsticks are not cooked through at the end of the initial cooking time you can extend the baking time to 10 minute intervals until it's fully cooked. In general, you need to bake chicken legs and drumsticks between 40-45 minutes while chicken thighs need 35-40 minutes. If you decide to use the small chicken drummettes or wings cook for 30-35 minutes.
• Serve Immediately. For the best texture and taste serve your chicken drumsticks right after they finish cooking.

FAQ

Recipe Video

From carrots and celery sticks to salads, there's nothing you can't serve with these Easy Chicken Drumsticks!  Have a peek at this video and see just how easy these drumsticks are to make!

More Easy Chicken Drumstick Recipes

Do you like chicken drumsticks? We make these air fryer buffalo chicken drumsticks too. Here some other recipes you may also like to try.

Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

This post was originally published November 2017. It has been updated with new images and content.