Chicken lovers, get ready for a treat! Today, I am bringing you a recipe for air fryer chicken drumsticks panko that is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with flavor.
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing party dish, this recipe is sure to hit the spot.
In this recipe, we marinate chicken drumsticks in buttermilk and coat them in a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, chicken seasoning, smoked paprika, and black pepper.
Then, we air fry them until they are golden brown and crispy. The result is a mouth-watering dish that will leave you wanting more.
But that’s not all! I will also provide you with important tips for making air fryer fried chicken legs with panko, variations on the recipe, ingredient substitutions, and even suggestions for side dishes and dipping sauces. I got you covered!
Why You Should Try This Recipe
It’s Healthier Than Fried Chicken- Let’s be real, who doesn’t love fried chicken? It’s delicious, but it’s also not the healthiest option out there.
Well, this air fryer chicken drumsticks Panko recipe is the perfect solution for those who want to enjoy crispy chicken without all the added fat and calories.
Air frying the chicken instead of deep-frying it makes it a healthier option, and the panko breadcrumbs give it a satisfying crunch without the need for excess oil.
It’s Incredibly Easy to Make: Have you ever felt intimidated by a recipe that had too many steps or required a lot of prep work?
Fear not, my friend, because this recipe is so easy to make that even a novice cook can nail it.
All you need to do is marinate the chicken in buttermilk, coat it in the panko breadcrumb mixture, and air fry it until it’s crispy and golden brown. So easy, yet so tasty!
👨🍳 Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks Panko Ingredients
For this recipe you will need:
- 2 1/2 pounds (1.15kg) Chicken Drumsticks
- 1/4 cup Buttermilk
- 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Chicken Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- Olive Oil Cooking Spray
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
✨ Making Panko Chicken Legs In Air Fryer
Follow this easy air fryer chicken drumsticks panko recipe:
Step 1
Place the chicken drumsticks in a bowl. Drizzle them with buttermilk and let them marinate for 30-40 minutes in the fridge.
Step 2
Add the breadcrumbs, chicken seasoning, smoked paprika, and black pepper to a bowl. Mix them well. Then, place the drumsticks inside and coat them evenly.
Step 3
Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray. Then, place the drumsticks inside the basket and spray them with more cooking oil.
Step 4
Air fry at 390F (200C) for 8-10 minutes. Open the air fryer, flip the chicken, and air fry for 10-12 more minutes. The internal temperature needs to reach 165F.
Step 5
Remove the drumsticks from the air fryer and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. That’s it! Enjoy this tasty and easy air fryer chicken drumsticks panko recipe!
🟢 More Air Fryer Recipes
If you liked my panko breaded chicken drumsticks in air fryer recipe, make sure to check out these recipes too:
- Air Fryer Breaded Scallops
- Air Fryer Curry Chicken
- Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Chicken & Shrimp Alfredo
💡 Important Tips
Here you will find my best tips for making air fryer fried chicken legs with panko:
1. Use A Meat Thermometer
To ensure that the chicken is cooked properly, it is important to use a meat thermometer.
The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (75°C) before it is safe to eat.
Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the drumstick to get an accurate reading.
2. Marinate The Chicken
Marinating the chicken in buttermilk not only adds flavor but also tenderizes the meat. The acidity in buttermilk helps to break down the proteins in the meat, resulting in a juicier and more flavorful chicken.
It is important to let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes to ensure that the buttermilk penetrates the meat properly.
3. Spray The Air Fryer Basket
Spraying the air fryer basket with cooking spray prevents the air fryer fried chicken legs with panko from sticking to the basket.
Make sure to spray the basket with cooking spray before placing the chicken in it. You can also spray the chicken with cooking spray to help it brown evenly.
4. Add A Twist With Different Coatings
While panko breadcrumbs are a delicious coating for chicken, you can also try other coatings to add variety to your air fryer chicken drumsticks.
Some other coatings you can try include crushed cornflakes, seasoned flour, or crushed potato chips.
Make sure to coat the chicken evenly and follow the same air frying instructions as the panko coating.
5. Mix Up The Seasonings
While chicken seasoning, smoked paprika and black pepper are a great combination for this recipe, you can also experiment with other seasonings.
For example, you can use Cajun seasoning for a spicy kick, Italian seasoning for a Mediterranean twist, or curry powder for an Indian-inspired flavor.
Just make sure to mix the seasonings well with the breadcrumbs before coating the chicken.
✔️ Variations
1. Air Fryer Lemon Herb Chicken Drumsticks: Instead of using buttermilk for the marinade, mix together lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano. Coat the drumsticks in seasoned flour and air fry until crispy.
2. Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks: Replace the chicken seasoning and smoked paprika with buffalo sauce and cayenne pepper.
Coat the drumsticks in a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and crushed cornflakes for extra crunch. Serve with blue cheese dressing for dipping.
3. Air Fryer Korean-style Chicken Drumsticks: Mix together soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger for the marinade.
Coat the drumsticks in a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and sesame seeds.
Air fry until golden and crispy. Serve with a side of kimchi for some added spice.
4. Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks: Coat the drumsticks in your favorite BBQ sauce and a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and crushed potato chips.
Air fry until crispy and glazed. Serve with extra BBQ sauce for dipping.
5. Air Fryer Garlic and Parmesan Chicken Drumsticks: Mix together grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
Coat the drumsticks in the mixture and air fry until golden and crispy.
6. Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Drumsticks: Mix together soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic for the marinade.
Coat the drumsticks in a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and sesame seeds. Air fry until crispy and glazed.
↩️ Ingredient Substitutions
Panko Breadcrumbs: If you don’t have panko breadcrumbs, you can use regular breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes, or crushed crackers instead.
Chicken Seasoning: Chicken seasoning typically contains a blend of herbs and spices like garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
If you don’t have chicken seasoning, you can make your own by mixing together these spices in equal parts.
Smoked Paprika: If you don’t have smoked paprika, you can use regular paprika or chipotle powder instead.
Smoked paprika adds a smoky flavor to the dish, so chipotle powder is a good substitute if you want to maintain that smoky taste.
🔁 How To Reheat
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for 2-3 minutes. Arrange the leftover panko drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure there is some space between them so they can cook evenly.
Lightly spray the drumsticks with cooking oil to help them brown and crisp up.
Air fry the drumsticks for 3-5 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are heated through and the coating is crispy and golden brown.
Remove them from the air fryer and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
🌟 Side Dishes Ideas
Here are 5 side dishes that pair well with Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks Panko:
1. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes: Sweet potatoes have a natural sweetness and a slightly earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the smoky flavor of the panko chicken drumsticks.
2. Air Fryer Home Fries: Home fries are a classic side dish that complements the savory flavor of air fryer chicken drumsticks panko.
The air fryer method creates crispy, golden brown potatoes with a soft and fluffy interior. The seasoning can be adjusted to your preference, making it a versatile and delicious side dish.
3. Air Fryer Frozen Cauliflower: Frozen cauliflower is a quick and easy side dish that can be air fried for a crispy and flavorful result.
4. Creamy Coleslaw: Creamy coleslaw is a refreshing and crunchy side dish that balances the richness of the chicken drumsticks.
The creamy dressing and the crunchiness of the cabbage and carrots provide a nice contrast to the texture of the chicken.
5. Grilled Vegetables: Grilled vegetables are a healthy and delicious side dish that goes well with the smoky flavor of the chicken drumsticks.
👍 Best Dipping Sauces
No chicken drumstick meal is complete without a selection of delicious dipping sauces. Here are some dipping sauces that will take your air fryer chicken drumsticks panko to the next level:
1. Honey Mustard Sauce: This sweet and tangy sauce is a classic pairing with chicken.
Mix together equal parts honey and Dijon mustard, and add a squeeze of lemon juice for extra zing.
2. Ranch Dressing: Ranch dressing is a versatile and creamy sauce that goes well with almost anything.
It’s perfect for dipping air fryer panko chicken drumsticks, and you can make your own by mixing together sour cream, mayonnaise, buttermilk, and a blend of herbs and spices.
3. Sweet Chili Sauce: It’s the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, and it pairs well with the smoky flavor of the chicken.
4. Barbecue Sauce: Barbecue sauce is a classic dipping sauce for chicken drumsticks. It’s a tangy and smoky sauce that adds depth and richness to the chicken.
You can use your favorite store-bought barbecue sauce, or make your own by mixing together ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, vinegar, and a blend of spices.
5. Garlic Aioli: Garlic aioli is a rich and creamy sauce that has a hint of garlic. It’s made from mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. It’s a simple sauce that adds a lot of flavor to the panko breaded chicken drumsticks in air fryer.
🎉 Gluten Free Version
To make this recipe gluten-free, you can replace the panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.
Make sure to check that all of the seasonings you use are also gluten-free.
👑 Keto / Low Carb Version
To make this panko chicken legs in air fryer recipe low carb and keto, you will need to replace the breadcrumbs with a low-carb alternative such as almond flour or crushed pork rinds.
You can also replace the buttermilk with a low-carb alternative such as coconut milk or heavy cream.
👪 FAQ
How long should I cook the chicken?
The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken drumsticks and the power of your air fryer.
However, a good rule of thumb is to cook the chicken for 10-12 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165F.
Can I use any type of chicken?
You can use any type of chicken for this recipe, but bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks will give you the best results. The skin will help to crisp up the chicken, and the bones will help to keep the chicken juicy.
What if the chicken is not crispy?
If the chicken is not crispy, you can try cooking it for a longer period of time. You can also try increasing the temperature of your air fryer.
I hope you liked my panko chicken drumsticks air fryer recipe. This dish is so easy to make, and I am sure your family will love it! The panko creates a crunchy coating that is well complemented by the tender chicken drumsticks.
If you have any questions about this air fryer fried chicken legs with panko recipe- comment below. Don’t forget to check out other great air fryer recipes on my website.
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks Panko
- 2 1/2 pounds Chicken Drumsticks (1.15kg)
- 1/4 cup Buttermilk
- 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- 2 1/2 teaspoons Chicken Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- Olive Oil Cooking Spray
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- Place the chicken drumsticks in a bowl. Drizzle them with buttermilk and let them marinate for 30-40 minutes in the fridge.
- Add the breadcrumbs, chicken seasoning, smoked paprika, and black pepper to a bowl. Mix them well. Then, place the drumsticks inside and coat them evenly.
- Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil cooking spray. Then, place the drumsticks inside the basket and spray them with more cooking oil.
- Air fry at 390F (200C) for 8-10 minutes. Open the air fryer, flip the chicken, and air fry for 10-12 more minutes. The internal temperature needs to reach 165F.
- Remove the drumsticks from the air fryer and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
