Description
Make crispy KFC-style fried chicken drumsticks at home using an air fryer. This recipe delivers juicy, flavorful chicken with a fraction of the oil.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 chicken drumsticks
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Place chicken drumsticks in a bowl and cover with buttermilk. Let marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour and all spices.
- Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off.
- Coat each drumstick thoroughly in the flour mixture.
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
- Lightly spray air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Place drumsticks in the basket in a single layer.
- Cook for 12 minutes, flip, then cook another 10-12 minutes until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, spray chicken lightly with oil before cooking.
- Double coating gives thicker crust – dip in flour, then buttermilk, then flour again.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer – cook in batches if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drumstick
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: air fryer chicken, KFC copycat, southern fried chicken, crispy chicken drumsticks