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Deliciously crispy oven-baked chicken drumsticks artfully arranged on a platter.

Classic Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Achieve perfectly crispy and flavorful chicken drumsticks every time with this simple oven-baked recipe. The secret ingredient, baking powder, helps create an incredibly crunchy skin.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • paper towels
  • large bowl
  • baking sheet
  • wire rack

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 8-10 chicken drumsticks skin on
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder aluminum-free
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika smoked paprika for depth
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Pat the chicken drumsticks thoroughly dry with paper towels.

Seasoning

  • In a large bowl, combine the baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
  • Add the dried drumsticks to the bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and toss until evenly coated.

Baking

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Line a baking sheet with foil, place a wire rack on top, and arrange the drumsticks with space in between.
  • Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  • For extra crispiness, increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) for the last 5-10 minutes.

Resting

  • Remove drumsticks from the oven and let them rest on the wire rack for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For even crispier skin, you can refrigerate the seasoned drumsticks uncovered for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight, before baking.