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Plate of flavorful Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks garnished with celery and blue cheese

Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks

Crispy and spicy Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks made in an air fryer for a healthier version of this classic dish, perfect for game days or casual meals.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 drumsticks
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 8 pieces chicken drumsticks
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
Seasoning Mix
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Buffalo Sauce
  • 1/3 cup hot sauce
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) For added heat

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
  2. Remove any moisture from the chicken skin using a paper towel.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, drizzle the drumsticks with olive oil and toss to coat evenly.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and chili powder. Sprinkle this mixture over the drumsticks and toss to ensure even coating.
  5. Arrange the drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer, leaving space between pieces.
Cooking
  1. Air fry for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure crisp skin.
  2. In the last 5 minutes of cooking, make the buffalo sauce by combining hot sauce, butter, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and cayenne in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until smooth.
Serving
  1. Once the chicken is done, transfer it to a large bowl and drizzle with the buffalo sauce, tossing to coat evenly. Serve immediately.

Notes

Serve with celery sticks and a side of blue cheese or ranch dressing for a refreshing crunch. Make sure to dry the chicken skin well for extra crispiness. Feel free to adjust hot sauce to personal taste and consider marinating the chicken for enhanced flavor.