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air fryer chicken legs
Carmen Spillette

Orange Ginger Glazed Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks 

5 from 5 votes
Check out this yummy Orange Ginger Glazed Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks recipe. They're crispy, caramelized from the glaze, and packed with tons of flavor. The chicken drumsticks are butterflied or "spatchcocked" for that perfectly cooked chicken.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 chicken drumsticks
Course: Air Fryer
Cuisine: Air Fryer
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Chicken drumsticks:8 chicken drumsticks butterflied1 tablespoon garlic powder1 teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon black pepper½ teaspoon salt
  • Orange Glaze:Zest and juice of an orange1-inch ginger sliced3 cloves of garlic, smashed¼ cup of honey3 tablespoon butter1 tablespoon chili oil2 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with water (to create a slurry)

Equipment

Method
 

Prepare the Chicken:
  1. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels.
  2. In a bowl, mix garlic powder, baking powder, black pepper, and salt.
  3. Rub the spice mixture evenly over the chicken drumsticks.
Preheat the Air Fryer:
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
Air Fry the Chicken:
  1. Place the seasoned chicken drumsticks in the preheated air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded.
  2. Air fry for 25-30 minutes, flipping the drumsticks halfway through, until they are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Prepare the Orange Glaze:
  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine orange zest, orange juice, sliced ginger, smashed garlic, honey, butter, and chili oil.
  2. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Thicken the Glaze:
  1. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry.
  2. Add the slurry to the orange glaze, stirring constantly until it thickens to your desired consistency.
Glaze the Chicken:
  1. Once the chicken drumsticks are cooked, baste them with the Orange Ginger glaze. 
  2. Baste each side a few times until you are satisfied and the chicken is nice and caramelized.
Serve:
  1. Arrange the glazed chicken drumsticks on a serving platter.
  2. Garnish with additional orange zest or chopped green onions if desired.
OVEN INSTRUCTIONS:
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. 
  2. Line the baking tray with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Trust me, it gets sticky. 
  3. Bake for 45 minutes, flip a few times to get the chicken nice and crispy. 
  4. Glaze at the last 10 minutes of cooking to get the chicken nice and caramelized.

Notes

Butterfly chicken drumsticks
  • Butterflying chicken drumsticks, also known as "spatchcocking," involve cutting in the middle right to the bone to create a flat, even piece of meat. This technique offers several advantages like even cooking and faster cooking.
Dry the chicken drumsticks with a paper towel:
  • To get crispy chicken, you need to dry them well with paper towels. 
Baste the chicken a few times:
  • Baste the chicken a few times to get that caramelized perfect bite every time!

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Let us know how it was!