Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks (氣炸鍋雞脾)

These Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks will let you enjoy Hong Kong-style fried chicken without any guilt.

These chicken drumsticks are juicy, flavorful, and crunchy!

You never would have guessed they are made using an air fryer.

The hyper is real y’all. The air fryer really is a game-changer.

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

One of the most iconic menu items in any Hong Kong Café is their fried chicken.

HK-style fried chicken is different than your typical western fried chicken.

It’s not coated with a thick batter or tossed in barbeque sauce.

Instead, it’s marinated before frying to infuse the chicken with tons of flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

What can I serve this dish with?

Serve this soup with side dishes like Lotus Root Stir Fry (蓮藕炒木耳) and Chinese Chayote Soup (合掌瓜湯).

Can I prepare this in advance?

Yes. You can prepare these chicken drumsticks in advance and reheat them using the air fryer. You can store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can this dish be frozen?

Yes. These chicken drumsticks can be frozen for up to 3 months. To serve, simply thaw and reheat in the air fryer.

Air Fried Chicken Drumsticks

Elaine Fung

These air fried chicken drumsticks are crispy, juicy and packed with flavor, plus healthy too.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 24 mins

Total Time 39 mins

Course Chicken

Cuisine Chinese

Servings 4 servings

Calories 652 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 12 Chicken Drumsticks

The Marinade

• 1 Tsp Salt
• 1/2 Tsp Sugar
• 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
• 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
• 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper

The Coating

• 1/3 Cup Cornstarch
• 1/3 Cup Flour
• 2 Tbsp oil

Instructions

 

• Pat dry chicken drumsticks with paper towels, then roll down the skin and prick the meat several times with a fork.
• Add the combined marinade to the chicken and massage it well into the meat.
• Roll the skin back up, cover and marinate for 2 hours in the fridge.
• Bring drumsticks to room temperature for half an hour before frying. Pat dry with paper towels.
• Combine the flour and cornstarch and coat the chicken lightly.
• Brush the coated chicken with oil.
• Pre-heat the air fryer at 390 degrees for 3 minutes.
• Place half the chicken into the air fryer and fry for 12 minutes.
• Turn the chicken over and fry for another 10 minutes until golden brown; remove and keep warm.
• Repeat the same steps for the rest of the chicken.

Notes

1. Rolling down the skin and pricking the chicken drumsticks with a fork help the marinade to flavor the meat better. Marinating overnight is even better.

2. Coating the chicken drumsticks with cornstarch and flour makes the skin crispy.

3. Do not overcrowd the air fryer, do smaller batches if necessary.

4. Keep the cooked chicken warm on a rack to maintain crispiness whilst frying the next batch.

5. Each air fryer performs differently, adjust the time to achieve that golden brown color.