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 drumsticks come out flavorful, moist, juicy, and tender.
It's perfect served with side dishes like potatoes, rice and vegetables or you can eat as appetizers.
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.
This recipe is simple, straightforward, easy and I believe you will thank me for it.
For this post, I have used raw frozen chicken drumsticks that were not preseasoned nor breaded but you can use any of those too.
This air fried frozen chicken legs recipe makes use of a few ingredients, It's quick and cooks in under 40 minutes.
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 regurlarly 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.
What to serve with
You can serve with any side dishes just like the one air fried from fresh. Some of the side dishes we like serving it with are:
Mashed potatoes
Roasted potatoes
Air fryer Vegetables
Sauteed vegetables
Rice
Storage Instructions
To store leftovers, leave to cool, then pack in an airtight container or fridge/freezer storage bags, label then store in the fridge where it will last for up to 4 days.
If you want to keep it for longer than 4 days, store it in the freezer where it will last for up to 5 months. Don't forget to label the container or freezer bag with dates before putting it in the freezer.
It can be reheated in the air fryer, oven, or microwave from frozen. No need to thaw first.
Once reheated, consume it and don't re freeze.
Tips for Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Drumsticks
- If the drumsticks are stuck together, run under water to separate them into individual pieces before seasoning.
- If you are unable to separate 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.
More Chicken Recipes
Air fryer chicken and vegetables
Chicken breast in tomato sauce
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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.
They are delicious 😋
Thank you for the feedback.
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
Thank you! Looking forward to read from you when you've tried the recipe.
Tried this tonight and it was delicious! This recipe is a keeper!
Happy to read this! Thank you Bella for the feedback.
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….
Hi Patti, Thanks so much for the feedback.
These were so yummy. Had no idea I could air fry frozen drumsticks. Thank you for sharing. I will definitely make these again.
Thank you for the feedback:)