Name: Lemon pepper drumsticks in air fryer
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 8 chicken drumsticks; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning; 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste); 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; Fresh lemon zest (from 1 lemon for added freshness (optional)); Fresh lemon wedges (for serving)

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Lemon pepper drumsticks in air fryer is a very easy everyday recipe that we have on the regular in our house. Few simple ingredients and your dinner is ready in under 20 minutes. Also try my teriyaki chicken in air fryer recipe for another weeknight meal.

air fryer lemon pepper chicken drumsticks

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If you are just like me and love everything chicken, you will definitely love this drumsticks recipe. My kids love to dip them in ranch and enjoy for lunch with some carrot sticks or steamed broccoli.

Why this recipe works

Drying the chicken with paper towels: This step removes moisture, which is key for getting that amazing crispy skin on the drumsticks. Wet skin won't crisp up as well.
Not crowding the drumsticks in the air fryer: Giving them enough space allows the hot air to move freely around each drumstick, cooking them evenly and making every part crispy.
Turning the drumsticks halfway through: This ensures that every side of the drumsticks gets direct heat, making them crispy all over, not just on top.
Letting the chicken rest after cooking: This little wait allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, so when you bite into it, the chicken is incredibly moist and flavorful.
Adding fresh lemon for zing: The lemon zest in the seasoning and the option to squeeze fresh lemon juice over the cooked drumsticks add a bright, fresh flavor that elevates the whole dish, making it taste even better.

Ingredients

Chicken Drumsticks: These are the parts of the chicken that you hold like a stick when eating. They're juicy and full of flavor, perfect for cooking and easy to eat with your hands.
Olive Oil: Olive oil is a healthy oil that comes from olives. It helps cook the chicken and adds a nice smooth taste.
Lemon Pepper Seasoning: This is a special mix of lemon flavor and black pepper. It gives the chicken a zesty, slightly spicy taste.
Garlic Powder: Garlic powder is made from dried garlic and adds a warm, slightly spicy taste to the chicken.
Fresh Lemon Zest: Lemon zest is the very outer part of the lemon's skin. It's grated into tiny pieces and used to add a fresh, lemony flavor. This is optional, so you can add it if you want more lemon taste.
Fresh Lemon Wedges: These are slices of lemon that you can squeeze over the chicken before you eat it. It adds a bright, fresh lemon juice flavor to the dish.

Step by step instructions

Let's make some yummy chicken legs! First, make sure they're super dry for the best crunch. Just dab them with paper towels until they're not wet anymore.

Next, let's flavor them up. Take a big bowl and put some olive oil in it. Sprinkle a bunch of lemon pepper seasoning in there. You can also add a little salt and garlic powder if you like. Want it extra lemony? Grate the skin of a lemon into the bowl. Mix everything up. Then, put your chicken legs in the bowl and shake them around so they get all covered in your tasty mix.

seasoning and lemon zest on top of chicken drumsticks in the bowl

While you're doing that, remember to heat up your air fryer to 380°F. This makes sure it's ready to cook your chicken just right, making it crispy and delicious.

When your air fryer is hot, pop the chicken legs in. Don't squish them together; they need space to get crispy all over.

Cook them at 380°F for about 10 minutes, then flip them over and cook for another 10 to 15 minutes. You'll know they're done when a meat thermometer says 165°F in the thickest part, which means they're perfectly cooked and safe to eat.

After they're cooked, wait a few minutes before eating. This makes them even juicier.

To serve, put the chicken legs on a plate with some lemon wedges if you like. Squeezing lemon on them adds a super fresh taste.

And there you go, crispy, juicy, lemony chicken legs made in your air fryer. Enjoy your meal!

lemon pepper chicken drumsticks in air fryer

Variations and substitutions

Mix dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano with olive oil for an aromatic twist.
After cooking, brush the drumsticks with a sauce you love, like buffalo, teriyaki, or honey mustard, and pop them back in the air fryer for a couple of minutes to glaze.
If you don't have olive oil, other cooking oils like avocado oil or vegetable oil work well too. They all help the seasonings stick and add moisture.
If you prefer less fat, you can use skinless drumsticks. Just keep in mind they might not get as crispy but will still be tasty with the seasonings.

Leftovers and reheating

Store cooked lemon pepper chicken drumsticks in the air tight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Reheat in the air fryer for couple minutes or in the microwave for 1 minute or until heated through.

More air fryer recipes

Hope you will like this lemon pepper chicken drumsticks in air fryer recipe as much as we do. Rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.

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