Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks
In short: Drumsticks coated in baking powder and spices bake on a rack until the skin turns blistered and crackly, with no frying needed. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 50 min
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 470 kcal
Baking powder is what makes oven chicken skin crisp. It raises the pH of the skin, so it browns faster and blisters into a crackly shell without any frying. The drumsticks are dried, coated in a thin layer of spiced baking powder and baked on a rack so hot air circulates all around. They are cheap, easy to eat by hand and popular with children, and they reheat well.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 220°C (425°F). Line a baking tray with foil and set a wire rack on top. Lightly oil the rack.
- Pat the drumsticks very dry with paper towels. Dry skin is the key to crispness.
- Mix the baking powder, salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and pepper in a large bowl.
- Add the drumsticks and the oil and toss until every piece is evenly and thinly coated.
- Arrange the drumsticks on the rack with space between them. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Turn the drumsticks and bake for 20 to 25 minutes more, until the skin is deep golden and crisp and the meat reads at least 74°C (165°F) near the bone.
- Rest for 5 minutes and serve with lemon wedges.
Tips
- Use baking powder, not baking soda, which leaves a soapy taste. An aluminum-free baking powder avoids any metallic flavor.
- For even crispier skin, leave the coated drumsticks uncovered on the rack in the fridge for 1 to 12 hours before baking.
Questions and answers
Can I make crispy drumsticks in an air fryer?
Yes. Air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 25 to 30 minutes, turning halfway, until the skin is crisp and the meat reaches 74°C (165°F).
How do I reheat them without losing the crunch?
Warm them on a rack in a 200°C (400°F) oven for 10 to 12 minutes. The microwave makes the skin soft.
What sauces go well with drumsticks?
Try a squeeze of lemon, hot sauce, sweet chili sauce or a garlic dip. Barbecue sauce can be brushed on in the last 5 minutes.
How long does it take to make Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks?
About 1 h in total: 10 min of preparation and 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks?
About 470 kcal per serving, with 58 g of protein, 2 g of carbohydrates and 24 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 470 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 58 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 1300 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
