Air Fryer Panko Breaded Fried Chicken Drumsticks (Legs) is a quick and easy, kid-friendly recipe that only requires a handful of ingredients, including, buttermilk, to produce crispy and crunchy chicken. This post will demonstrate how to cook chicken drumsticks using your Power Air Fryer, Cooks Essentials, or any air fryer brand for this recipe. Use fresh or frozen chicken legs.
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This post was originally published in January 2019. It has since been updated.
FOR THE FULL LIST OF INGREDIENTS AND COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE SEE THE RECIPE CARD AT THE END OF THIS POST. BEFORE YOU SCROLL, THERE’S IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN THIS BLOG POST.
How To Cook Chicken Drumsticks in an Air Fryer
- Drizzle the chicken drumsticks with buttermilk. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Add the seasonings to the panko breadcrumbs.
- Coat the chicken in the seasoned panko breadcrumbs.
- Air fry the chicken for 20-24 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a meat thermometer.
How Do You Add Oil To An Air Fryer?
I like to use this oil spray bottle from Amazon. Spray the air fryer basket and the chicken. I use olive oil.
How Long to Cook/Cook Time
The chicken will need 20-24 minutes to cook.
Can You Cook Fried Chicken in an Air Fryer?
Absolutely! Check out my Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken Wings, Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, and Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets.
Is the Air Fryer Really Healthy?
Air frying cuts up to 80% of the fat of traditional frying, making it a much healthier alternative. Most deep-fried recipes require 2 to 3 cups of oil. With the air fryer, you need only a tablespoon. Because air-fried meals are so much lighter, you will feel less bogged down after eating them.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Air Fryer Grilled Chicken
Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
Popular Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Air Fryer French Fries
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
Air Fryer PicklesAir Fryer Kale Chips
Air Fryer Grilled Cheese
Air Fryer Panko Breaded Fried Chicken Drumsticks (Legs)
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken drumsticks
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons McCormick’s Grill Mates Montreal Chicken Seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- cooking oil spray
Instructions
- Drizzle the chicken with the buttermilk. You can place the chicken in a bowl or in a Ziploc bag. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil.
- Add the panko breadcrumbs to a bowl with the chicken seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir.
- Dredge the buttermilk chicken in the panko breadcrumbs mixture. Spray both sides of the chicken with cooking oil.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes on 380 degrees.
- Open the air fryer and flip the chicken. Cook the chicken for an additional 10-14 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use your judgment for how long the chicken should cook. I like to ensure my chicken has a crispy exterior, in addition to reaching the appropriate internal temperature.
- Tip: If you notice the chicken has formed a crunchy brown crust on the outside but needs more time to cook internally, lower the temperature on the air fryer to 350 degrees and continue cooking the chicken until it reaches the appropriate internal temperature.
- Cool before serving.
Cassandra
Monday 31st of May 2021
Super yummy. I did marinate in pickle juice instead of buttermilk due to casein allergy. So incredible and tasty
staysnatched
Friday 11th of June 2021
Glad you enjoyed it.
MarkB
Thursday 13th of May 2021
I'm getting ready to air fry some some drum sticks. . . but I'm trying cashew flour and nutritional yeast instead of the panko. . . Want to make it Keto.
staysnatched
Thursday 20th of May 2021
Thanks for sharing!
Laura
Sunday 7th of February 2021
Oh my goodness....my chicken legs never turn out this delicious and juicy when I grill them. These were amazing!!
I didn't have any buttermilk but wanted something "extra" besides just eggs/milk. So I took a page from Brandi's famous Chick-fil-a recipe and soaked the legs in pickle juice for 30 minutes beforehand. I don't know how much of a difference it made.....but it all tasted great!! Definitely will make again!
MarkB
Thursday 13th of May 2021
@Laura, You basically brined the chicken, it always comes out better that way. It does something to the proteins in the meat. . . Turkeys are amazing brined. . and pork is healthier for you if you brine it before cooking. Just remember to go light on any additional salt.
staysnatched
Monday 8th of February 2021
that's a great tip!
krissy
Saturday 9th of February 2019
oh my these turned out so incredible! I highly reccomend this recipe!
Meagen Brosius
Saturday 9th of February 2019
I love using the air fryer for recipes like this. SO quick and easy and a more healthy option! SO delish!