Orange Ginger Glazed Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks 

Check out this yummy Orange Ginger Glazed Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks recipe. These chicken drumsticks in air fryer are crispy, caramelized from the glaze, and packed with tons of flavor. The chicken drumsticks are butterflied or "spatchcocked" for even and faster cooking.

You can enjoy these delicious Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks for lunch or dinner. Perfect for any get-togethers, barbecues and so much more.

This tasty dish was inspired by another easy recipe, Lemongrass Chicken Drumsticks as the main attraction. Paired with crunchy Sesame Braised Cabbage and perfectly prepared Cilantro Lime Rice.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• How to make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
• How to bake in the oven
• Substitutions for these chicken drumsticks in air fryer
• Equipment
• How to reheat and store air fryer chicken drumsticks
• Top tips for these chicken drumsticks in air fryer
• Orange Ginger Glazed Chicken - FAQs
• Related
• Pairing
• Orange Ginger Glazed Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks 
• Food safety

Ingredients

• Chicken drumsticks, butterflied
• Garlic powder
• Baking powder
• Black pepper
• Salt

Orange Glaze:

• Zest and juice of an orange
• Ginger, sliced
• Cloves of garlic, smashed
• Honey
• Butter
• Chili oil
• Cornstarch mixed with water (to create a slurry)

See recipe card for quantities.

How to make Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

These chicken drumsticks in air fryer are super easy to make. Here are the step-by-step instructions.

• Prepare the Chicken:
  • Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels.
  • In a bowl, mix garlic powder, baking powder, black pepper, and salt.
  • Rub the spice mixture evenly over the chicken drumsticks.
    
• Preheat the Air Fryer:
  • Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 extra minutes.
    
• Air Fry the Chicken:
  • Place the seasoned chicken drumsticks in the preheated air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded.
  • Air fry for 25-30 minutes, flipping the drumsticks halfway through, until they are golden brown and reach an internal  temperature of the chicken of 165°F (74°C).
    
• Prepare the Orange Glaze:
  • In a saucepan over medium heat, combine orange zest, orange juice, sliced ginger, smashed garlic, honey, butter, and chili oil.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    
• Thicken the Glaze:
  • In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry.
  • Add the slurry to the orange glaze, stirring constantly until it thickens to your desired consistency.
    
• Glaze the Chicken:
  • Once the chicken drumsticks are cooked, baste them with the Orange Ginger glaze.
  • Baste each side a few times until you are satisfied and the chicken is nice and caramelized.
    
• Serve:
  • Arrange these glazed chicken drumsticks in air fryer on a serving platter.
  • Garnish with additional orange zest or chopped green onions or onion powder if desired.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy your Orange Ginger Glazed Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks!

Feel free to adjust the seasoning and spice according to your taste preferences. 

How to bake in the oven

• Oven Instructions:
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 
  • Line the baking tray with parchment paper for easy clean up. Trust me, it gets sticky. 
  • Bake for 45 minutes, flip a few times to get the chicken nice and crispy. 
  • Glaze at the last 10 minutes of cooking to get the chicken nice and caramelized. 

Substitutions for these chicken drumsticks in air fryer

• Chicken Drumsticks: Substitute with chicken thighs, chicken breasts (with crispy skin), chicken legs, chicken wings, juicy chicken quarters, or any preferred cuts of chicken.
  
• Garlic Powder: Use fresh minced garlic or garlic paste as a substitute.
  
• Baking Powder: Replace with baking soda, but use half the amount specified for baking powder. Alternatively, use buttermilk or yogurt for leavening.
  
• Black Pepper: Swap with white pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or freshly ground peppercorns, depending on your preference.
  
• Salt: Use sea salt, kosher salt, or any other type of salt you have on hand.

Orange Glaze:

• Zest and Juice of an Orange: Substitute with orange juice concentrate or a combination of lemon and tangerine juice for a delicious flavor.
  
• Ginger, Sliced: Replace with ground ginger or ginger paste. Use approximately ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger for every teaspoon of fresh sliced ginger.
  
• Cloves of Garlic, Smashed: Use garlic powder or minced garlic as a substitute. Typically, ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder equals one clove.
  
• Honey: Substitute with maple syrup, agave nectar, or brown rice syrup for sweetness.
  
• Butter: For a non-dairy option, use olive oil, cooking oil (little oil), vegetable oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil as a substitute.
  
• Chili Oil: Create your own by infusing regular oil with red pepper flakes. Alternatively, use hot dipping sauce, chili powder,  bbq sauce, or red pepper flakes for heat.
  
• Cornstarch Mixed with Water (to Create a Slurry): Arrowroot powder or tapioca starch can be used instead of cornstarch. Mix with water to create a slurry for thickening.

Equipment

• Air fryer
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Bowl
• Skillet

How to reheat and store air fryer chicken drumsticks

Storing Chicken Drumsticks:

• Refrigeration:
  • Allow the glazed chicken drumsticks to cool to room temperature.
  • Place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap.

Reheating Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks:

• Air Fryer:
  • Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  • Place the chicken drumsticks in the air fryer basket.
  • Reheat for 5-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until thoroughly heated and the glaze caramelizes.
• Oven:
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Place the drumsticks on a baking sheet.
  • Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through, turning once to ensure even reheating.
    
• Avoid Microwave if you want crispy chicken:
  • While the microwave is an option, it may make the skin less crispy. If using the microwave, heat in short intervals to prevent overcooking.

Orange Ginger Glazed Chicken - FAQs

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Orange Ginger Glazed Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks:

Food safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.