Air fryer frozen chicken drumsticks recipe that will show you how to cook frozen chicken legs in air fryer, how long to cook, tips, and more. With this easy and quick recipe, the chicken comes out flavorful, moist, juicy, and tender.
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
This air fryer frozen chicken drumsticks recipe is a time saver for when you forget to thaw chicken, and you need to make a delicious, quick dinner for the family.
You can cook frozen chicken legs in your air fryer and it comes out great just as if you thawed the chicken first.
For this post, I have used raw frozen chicken drumsticks that were not preseasoned nor breaded however you can use any of those too.
Related - Air fryer frozen chicken thighs, Frozen chicken wings in air fryer.
Ingredients
Chicken legs - Use chicken drumsticks or leg quarters
Paprika - I like to use this for my chicken seasoning. You can use the smoked one.
Onion granules - Use onion powder if that's what's available.
Garlic granules - Substitute with garlic powder
Parsley
Pepper- Use black pepper, cayenne pepper, chilli flakes or any type of pepper you prefer.
Salt
Olive oil
Sauce - This is optional. Some sauces you can use are BBQ sauce, teriyaki sauce, honey soy sauce. I didn't add any for this post but i use them regularly when making this recipe.
How To Cook Frozen Chicken Legs in Air fryer (Drumsticks)
Bring out the raw frozen drumsticks from the freezer. If there's a lot of ice on it, rinse under the tap to deglaze.
Make the marinade by mixing the paprika, parsley, onion, garlic granules, black pepper, salt, and oil.
Rub the deglazed chicken drumsticks with the marinade. Make sure that all the parts are covered with the marinade.
Arrange the chicken legs in the air fryer basket. Don't overlap them.
Set the air fryer to 180C/360F and cook the drumsticks for 15 minutes, bring out the basket, flip the drumsticks, and air fry for another 15 minutes.
If using sauce like bbq sauce, teriyaki or, honey soy, brush on the drumsticks and air fry for another 5 minutes.
Bring out the air fryer basket, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes then serve.
How Long To Cook Frozen Chicken legs in Air fryer
How long to cook frozen chicken legs in the air fryer depends on the size of the chicken legs, and the brand of air fryer you use. The below is a guide you can follow.
Frozen chicken drumsticks - When air fried at a temperature of 170C, it will take at least 30 minutes to cook average-sized frozen drumsticks.
Frozen chicken leg quarters - For medium-sized, this will take between 35 - 40 minutes at a temperature of 180C.
More Chicken Recipes
Air fryer chicken and vegetables
Chicken breast in tomato sauce
If you find this post helpful, please rate it 5 stars and leave a comment below. If you don't want to miss any of our posts Subscribe to the blog for free weekly recipes in your email. Also, follow us on Instagram and Pinterest.
Join our Facebook group to meet and share tips and recipes with other good food lovers.
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 7 pieces Frozen chicken drumsticks
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Parsley
- ¼ teaspoon Onion granules
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic granules
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons Oil Olive, sunflower or vegetable oil
Instructions
- Bring out the raw frozen drumsticks from the freezer. If there's a lot of ice on it, rinse under the tap to deglaze.
- Make the marinade by mixing the paprika, parsley, onion, garlic granules, black pepper, salt, and oil.
- Rub the deglazed chicken drumsticks with the marinade. Make sure that all the parts are covered with the marinade.Arrange the chicken legs in the air fryer basket. Don't overlap them.
- Set the air fryer to 180C/360F and cook the drumsticks for 15 minutes, bring out the basket, flip the drumsticks, and air fry for another 15 minutes.
- If using sauce like bbq sauce, teriyaki or, honey soy, brush on the drumsticks and air fry for another 5 minutes.
- Bring out the air fryer basket, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes then serve.
Notes
- If the drumsticks are stuck together, run under water to separate them into individual pieces before seasoning.
- If you are unable to seperate them by just running under water, you can air fry for 4 minutes then separate them into individual pieces, season, and then continue to air fry till cooked.
- The pepper quantity stated in this recipe is a guide and you can adjust to how hot you like your food.
- The oil added to the seasoning ensure that the seasoning sticks on the frozen chicken.
- If using sauce like bbq sauce or honey soy sauce to glaze, add in the last 5 minutes as instructed. If added earlier it will cause the chicken to brown quickly and might burn on the outside.
- Don't crowd the basket as air needs to circulate in the air fryer for even cooking. Place the frozen drumsticks in a flat single layer. Don't overlap them.
- Air fryer brands vary and so does their timing so you might have to adjust the temperature of your air fryer and it might also require you to cook for longer.
- If you are not sure if the chicken is cooked through to a safety standard then check the internal temperature with an instant-read meat thermometer. If it is at least 165F/75C it is safe to eat.
Rose says
They are delicious 😋
Kemi says
Thank you for the feedback.
Gloria Nydia Rodriguez says
I will be making this recipe this week, probably. It looks simple and the end product pic looks delicious ... I have the Emeril Lagasse 360 XL Air Fryer, I will test the timing & doneness, but I feel positive I will have no problem. Thanks for sharing this recipe
Kemi says
Thank you! Looking forward to read from you when you've tried the recipe.
Bella says
Tried this tonight and it was delicious! This recipe is a keeper!
Kemi says
Happy to read this! Thank you Bella for the feedback.
Patti says
Made the chicken legs last night but we love Indian Tandoori chicken and your air fryer timing was perfect. Just sliced small slits in the chicken, rubbed tandoori paste all over the chicken and marinated overnight. Thanks again for such great instructions and timing….
Kemi says
Hi Patti, Thanks so much for the feedback.
Arlene says
These were so yummy. Had no idea I could air fry frozen drumsticks. Thank you for sharing. I will definitely make these again.
Kemi says
Thank you for the feedback:)