Crispy chicken drumsticks coated in thick honey garlic sauce

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Honey Garlic Chicken Drumsticks

These honey garlic chicken drumsticks are crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and coated in a sticky sweet and savory honey garlic glaze. Cooked in the air fryer and tossed in a quick garlic ginger sauce, they’re an easy weeknight chicken dinner that’s full of flavor.

Prep Time10

Cook Time25

Total Time35

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Servings:

Calories: 255kcal

Author: Davinah

Equipment

Air fryer

Ingredients

Chicken

1.5 lbs Chicken Drumsticks about 6
¼ tsp Natural Ancient Sea Salt
½ tsp Black Pepper
½ tsp Smoked Paprika
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Onion Powder
1½ tbsp Baking Powder
2 tbsp Olive Oil or avocado oil

Honey Garlic Sauce

¼ cup honey
3 tbsp Soy Sauce or coconut aminos
2 tbsp Butter unsalted
1 tbsp Unseasoned Rice Vinegar or apple cider vinegar
3 cloves Garlic minced
1 tbsp Fresh Ginger minced
½ tsp cornstarch optional for thickening
1 tbsp Water use to create a slurry with the cornstarch if using

Instructions

For the Chicken Drumsticks

Pat the drumsticks very dry with paper towels to help the skin crisp.
In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and baking powder.
Toss the chicken with the seasoning until evenly coated. Be sure to use all of the spice mix since it helps make crispy chicken drumsticks and gives the meat flavor.
Arrange drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Drizzle with olive oil.
Air fry at 400°F for 12–15 minutes, flip, then cook another 12–15 minutes until the skin is golden and the chicken is cooked through.

For the Honey Garlic Sauce

While the chicken cooks, add honey, soy sauce, butter, vinegar, garlic, and ginger to a small saucepan over medium heat.
Stir until the butter melts and the sauce begins to simmer. If thickening, mix cornstarch with water and stir it into the sauce. Simmer 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.

Finish & Serve

Toss the hot drumsticks in the honey garlic sauce or brush the sauce over the chicken. Serve immediately.

Notes

Pat the chicken dry: Removing surface moisture helps the skin crisp.
Cook in a single layer: Air circulation helps the drumsticks brown evenly.
Add the sauce at the end: Tossing the chicken after cooking keeps the skin crisp.
Use all of the spice mix: the baking powder and spice mixture helps make the chicken drumsticks crispy and gives the meat all of its flavor. Toss the chicken (and re-toss it if needed) to be sure to use all of it.

Nutrition