The Ultimate Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Jump to Recipe

There’s something irresistible about perfectly crispy, golden-brown chicken drumsticks — especially when they’re baked, not fried! This Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks recipe delivers tender, juicy meat with a satisfyingly crunchy skin, all without deep frying. It’s quick to prep, uses simple pantry seasonings, and is perfect for a family dinner or casual gathering.

Let’s dive into how to make this easy, crowd-pleasing meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Healthier than deep-frying
• Crispy, flavorful skin every time
• Simple ingredients you already have
• Perfect for weeknights or family weekends

The role of each ingredient in these Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks

• Chicken Drumsticks: This is the star of the recipe! Juicy, flavorful, and perfect for baking because their skin crisps up while the meat stays tender and moist. The bone inside also helps keep the meat juicy. It’s always best to brine the drumsticks fast before seasoning to bake.
• Cooking Oil: Helps the seasoning stick to the chicken and promotes browning and crispiness in the oven. It also ensures the skin doesn’t dry out while baking.
• Oil Spray: Gives an even light coating of oil over the chicken surface. This encourages the skin to crisp up nicely without making it greasy.
• Garlic Powder: Adds a rich, savory depth to the seasoning mix. Garlic powder is more mellow than fresh garlic and distributes evenly in the flour coating.
• Onion Powder: Brings a subtle sweetness and umami flavor that complements the garlic and paprika beautifully, enhancing the overall flavor of the crispy coating.
• Paprika: Provides a warm, smoky flavor and gives the drumsticks a gorgeous reddish-golden color when baked. It also balances the savory elements of garlic and onion powder.
• All-Purpose Flour: Acts as a light crust base, helping the seasonings and baking powder cling to the chicken. It also forms a thin, crispy layer on the skin during baking.
• Baking Powder: The secret weapon for extra crispy skin! It raises the pH of the chicken skin, breaking down proteins so the skin crisps up and turns beautifully golden in the oven.
  Important: Use baking powder, not baking soda — baking soda is much stronger and will give an unpleasant, soapy taste.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste): Basic flavor enhancers. Salt brings out the natural flavors of the chicken and seasonings, while black pepper adds a subtle heat and depth.

Summary:

Each ingredient in this recipe works together to give you juicy, tender drumsticks with perfectly crispy, flavorful skin — baked, not fried. From the seasoning mix that flavors the chicken to the baking powder that crisps the skin, every element plays a specific, important role.

Step By Step Instructions of the Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Place a wire rack over a baking tray — this ensures the heat circulates around the chicken, making the underside just as crispy as the top.

2. Prepare the Seasoning Mix

In a shallow bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, all-purpose flour, baking powder, sea salt, and black pepper. This mix packs flavor while helping the skin crisp up beautifully.

3. Coat the Chicken

Remove the chicken drumsticks from the brine & pat them dry with a paper towel (this helps them crisp). Toss them in the cooking oil, making sure each piece is well coated. Stretch and pull the skin to cover as much of the flesh as possible — this ensures even crisping.

4. Dredge in Seasoning

Roll each oiled drumstick in the seasoning mix, shaking off any excess, and place it on the prepared rack. Repeat with all the drumsticks.

5. Spray & Bake

Generously spray the chicken with oil spray to encourage that crunchy, golden skin. Bake for 30 minutes, then rotate the tray and bake for another 15 minutes or until the skin is crispy and the juices run clear.

6. Serve & Enjoy!

Serve hot with baked potatoes and a fresh salad for a wholesome, satisfying meal.

Techniques on Preparation & Cooking:

• Wire Rack: Lifts the chicken off the baking tray so heat circulates underneath, making the underside crispy too.
• Rotating the Tray: Ensures even baking and color since most home ovens have hotter and cooler spots.
• Stretching the Skin: Ensures more surface area crisps up, reducing the chances of over-drying the meat while still delivering crunch.

Recipe Notes & Tips

• Other Chicken Cuts: This recipe works beautifully with chicken wings (same temperature and time) or skin-on, bone-in thighs (add 5–10 extra minutes baking time).
• Why Baking Powder?
  The baking powder is the secret ingredient here. It helps break down the proteins in the chicken skin, making it irresistibly crispy when baked. Make sure to use baking powder, not baking soda, which is much stronger and will alter the flavor.
• No Wire Rack?
  No problem! You can line your baking tray with parchment paper, but be sure to flip the drumsticks halfway through baking and add an extra 5–10 minutes to ensure crispiness on both sides.

Watch the Full Video Tutorial!

Here is a quick video showing how I made these Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks. You can also subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more recipe videos, kitchen tips & hacks!

More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love:

Looking for more delicious chicken recipes?! Check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to enjoy!

• Simple One-Pot Chicken & Rice
• The Best Spicy Soy Baked Chicken Drumsticks for Flavor Lovers
• Easy Butter Chicken Recipe (Murgh Makhani)
• Apple & Sage Kienyeji Chicken
• Garlic Butter Saucy Chicken Wings
• Baked Honey-Soy Chicken Thighs
• Rosemary Kienyenji Chicken Stew
• The Best Baked Chicken Thighs (easy, juicy & flavorful)
• One pot Cashew Cream Chicken Stew (loaded with vegetables)
• The Best Chicken & Veggies Stir Fry
• The Best Honey Barbecue Chicken Wings
• Pineapple Chicken
• Coconut Chicken Curry
• Honey Dijon Chicken
• Honey Sesame Fried Chicken

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

Leave a comment below and tag @gwenjikoni on Instagram and hashtag it #gwenjikoni

I love seeing what you’ve made!