Craving crispy, golden-brown chicken drumsticks without the hassle of frying? This easy oven-baked recipe delivers all the crunch and flavor with simple ingredients and minimal effort! Perfectly seasoned and baked to juicy, crispy perfection, these drumsticks make an ideal weeknight dinner, meal prep option, or game-day favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

✔️ Oven-baked = less mess, all the crisp!
✔️ Perfectly seasoned for maximum flavor
✔️ Juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside
✔️ Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients

Whether you’re making a quick family dinner or feeding a crowd, these crispy baked drumsticks are sure to be a hit. Let’s get started!

What You’ll Need

Ingredients

• 13-15 pasture-raised chicken drumsticks
• 3-4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup flour
• 2 tsp sea salt
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp ground pepper

Equiment I used

• Mixing Bowl
• Baking Sheet Pan

How to Make It

Preheat the Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 420 degrees Fahrenheit (215 degrees Celsius). Make sure the oven rack is positioned in the middle of the oven to ensure even cooking.

Preheating the oven ensures it reaches the desired temperature before you place the drumsticks inside, which is crucial for achieving the perfect crispy texture. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes for most ovens to preheat to this temperature.

Prepare the Drumsticks

Pat all 13-15 chicken drumsticks dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This step is important as it helps the skin to crisp up during baking. Place the drumsticks in a large mixing bowl.

Ensuring the drumsticks are completely dry is key to achieving a crispy exterior. Moisture on the surface of the chicken can steam the skin rather than roast it, leading to a less crispy result. Take your time to pat each drumstick thoroughly.

Season the Drumsticks

Make sure the skin on each drumstick is covering the meat and not folded. Toss the drumsticks with 3-4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil until they are well-coated. Then, add 1/3 cup of flour, 2 teaspoons of sea salt, 2 teaspoons of garlic powder, 2 teaspoons of chili powder, 2 teaspoons of oregano, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and 1 teaspoon of ground pepper. Mix until the drumsticks are fully coated with the seasonings.

The olive oil helps the seasonings adhere to the chicken and contributes to the crispiness of the skin. Mixing the drumsticks thoroughly ensures that each one is evenly coated with the flavorful spices and flour. The flour helps to create a crispy crust when baked.

Prepare the Baking Sheet and Rack

Prepare a baking sheet by placing a wire rack on top of it. Spray the rack with oil to prevent the drumsticks from sticking. Arrange the drumsticks on the rack, ensuring they are spaced out evenly to allow for proper air circulation.

Using a wire rack allows air to circulate around the drumsticks, ensuring they cook evenly and become crispy on all sides. Spraying the rack with oil helps prevent the drumsticks from sticking and tearing the skin when you flip them.

Bake the Drumsticks

Place the baking sheet with the rack of drumsticks in the preheated oven. Bake for 35 minutes. After 35 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven and carefully flip each drumstick using tongs. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Flipping the drumsticks halfway through the cooking time ensures they crisp up evenly on all sides. Baking them at a high temperature for a total of 50 minutes results in juicy, flavorful meat with a perfectly crispy skin. Keep an eye on the drumsticks towards the end of the baking time to ensure they don’t overcook.

Air Fryer Option

Prefer to skip the oven? These Crispy Chicken Drumsticks can also be made in the air fryer with great results!

Here’s how:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Season the drumsticks as directed in the recipe.
3. Arrange drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket (you may need to cook in batches depending on your air fryer size).
4. Cook for 25–28 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden and crispy.
5. Optional: For extra crispiness, increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last 3–5 minutes.

Perfect for when you want crispy chicken without turning on the oven — especially on hot days or for small batch cooking!

Make-Ahead Tips

You can prepare these crispy chicken drumsticks ahead of time to streamline your cooking process. After seasoning the drumsticks, arrange them on a baking sheet, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and ensures a quick transfer to the oven when you’re ready to bake. Alternatively, bake the drumsticks as directed, let them cool completely, and store them in an airtight container. They can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Storage & Reheating

Refrigeration:

• Storage: Place cooled drumsticks in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.​
• Reheating: To maintain crispiness, reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15–20 minutes, or until heated through. For added moisture, you can cover the drumsticks with foil during the first 10 minutes, then uncover to crisp the skin.​

Freezing:

• Storage: Arrange cooled drumsticks in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.​
• Reheating: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). For a crispier skin, broil for an additional 2–3 minutes at the end.