Are you ready for crispy baked chicken drumsticks, in a buttermilk marinade, and a buttered baking dish for a golden, crunchy coating without the mess of deep frying?
I've tested multiple methods, and I know exactly how to get truly crispy results (not soggy coating) every time.
For specifics on the recipe, use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.
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- Why These Baked Chicken Drumsticks Get So Crispy
- Why You'll Love These Crispy Chicken Drumsticks
- Ingredients for Crispy Baked Oven- Fried Drumsticks
- Kitchen tools for Oven Baked Fried Chicken
- How to make Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks in the Oven
- Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
- Eileen's Tips for the Best Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks
- Vary Ingredients for Oven Baked Crispy Chicken Drumsticks
- FAQs for the Best Baked Crispy Chicken Drumsticks
- Serving Ideas For Crispy Chicken Drumsticks
- More easy chicken dinner ideas
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Why These Baked Chicken Drumsticks Get So Crispy
I have mastered the secrets to crispy baked chicken drumsticks. Follow these simple steps for the best baked chicken legs.
- Marinating in Buttermilk: Marinating the chicken in buttermilk will tenderize the drumsticks and help the seasoned flour adhere to the chicken.
- Seasoning the flour will enhance the flavors of the crispy coating.
- Buttering the Baking Pan: The melted butter on the baking sheet helps coat the chicken and ensure a crispy crust.
- High Heat/Quick Bake: A quick, high-temperature bake is the key to crispy, crunchy, and tender oven-baked fried drumsticks.
Why You'll Love These Crispy Chicken Drumsticks
- Better for You: Oven-baking the drumsticks is better for you than frying.
- Affordable: Chicken drumsticks are budget-friendly, you will enjoy great food at a low price for dinner.
- Crowd Pleaser: This is an easy recipe to make for a crowd.
- Make Ahead: A great make-ahead recipe, and freeze for another day.
Love oven-baked chicken? Then you must try our Marinated Baked Chicken Drumsticks, Copycat Chick-fil-A Baked Chicken Nuggets, Crispy Baked Chicken Wings, or Baked Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders, all great choices to make soon.
Ingredients for Crispy Baked Oven- Fried Drumsticks
Buttermilk Marinade for Crispy Chicken Drumsticks
- buttermilk
- hot sauce
- smoked paprika
- black pepper
- Kosher salt
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- 10 pieces of chicken drumsticks
Seasoned Flour Coating for Crispy Chicken Drumsticks
- all-purpose flour
- smoked paprika
- ground thyme
- Kosher salt
- black pepper
- cayenne pepper
- unsalted butter
Kitchen tools for Oven Baked Fried Chicken
- Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Whisk
- Baking Sheets
- Instant Read Meat Thermometer
How to make Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks in the Oven
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
How to make oven-fried drumstick buttermilk marinade
- Combine the ingredients for the chicken drumsticks buttermilk marinade in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the drumsticks and marinate for at least 30 minutes. Overnight in the refrigerator is preferred.
Step-by-Step Crispy Coating for Oven-Baked Fried Chicken Drumsticks
- Whisk the ingredients for the seasoned flour in a large mixing bowl.
- Dredge the buttermilk- marinated chicken drumsticks in the seasoned flour.
How to Bake Oven-Fried Chicken
- Melt unsalted butter on the baking sheet.
- Place drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet
- Bake for about 45 minutes until cooked through.
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the drumsticks. Should be 165°f/74°C. Serve with your favorite side dishes.
Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
Storage - Leftover chicken drumsticks can be kept well-covered or wrapped in the refrigerator for 3 days.
Freezer-Friendly: Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks are freezer-friendly. Once the chicken is cooked and cooled, the drumsticks can be flash frozen by placing them on baking trays in the freezer for about an hour. Then move them to portion sizes to freeze for another day.
Date the freezer bags and ensure most of the air is removed from the bag. The baked chicken can be stored in the freezer for about 3 months.
This process will allow the drumsticks to freeze. They won't stick together in a freezer-safe bag or container.
Make-Ahead: The crispy drumsticks can be made ahead, 1 to 2 days ahead, and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat at 375°F/190°C until warmed through.
Eileen's Tips for the Best Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks
- Marinating the chicken in seasoned buttermilk adds tenderness and flavor to the chicken drumsticks.
- If you prefer to remove the chicken leg skin, the crispy coating adheres well to the drumsticks.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet so the chicken legs get nice and crispy.
- Flip the chicken legs halfway through baking so they are evenly crisp.
- I tested this recipe with the oven temperature lower, 375°F, and the drumsticks were less crispy. A high oven temperature, 425°F, gives a crispier results.
Vary Ingredients for Oven Baked Crispy Chicken Drumsticks
Do you want to change up this recipe? \
- Protein: This will work on chicken breasts, but cooking time will vary.
- Gluten-Free: Use a one-to-one gluten-free all-purpose flour.
- Seasonings: Change up the seasonings by using any of these combinations:
- More variations for Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks:
- Spicy Nashville Hot Style – add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper and 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
- Garlic Parmesan – toss in garlic butter + parmesan after baking
- BBQ Baked Drumsticks – brush with BBQ sauce last 10 minutes
- Extra Crispy Version – add 1 teaspoon baking powder to flour
FAQs for the Best Baked Crispy Chicken Drumsticks
Marinate the chicken legs for at least 30 minutes. For the juiciest, tender, oven-fried crispy chicken drumsticks, marinate overnight.
I recommend not skipping the buttermilk marinade. The acid in the buttermilk helps break down protein and locks in the moisture in the chicken drumsticks.
Buttermilk tenderizes the drumsticks and helps to make them juicy once baked.
If you are having issues with the seasoned flour coating sticking to the drumsticks, be sure to shake excess buttermilk off the chicken before coating it in the seasoned flour.
Bake the chicken drumsticks uncovered; they get crispy and crunchy. Covering the chicken will cause the drumsticks to steam, and not get crispy.
Absolutely. Baking soda has been found to crisp baked vegetables that need to be crispy. Add ½ teaspoon to the seasoning mixture for extra crispy drumsticks.
Serving Ideas For Crispy Chicken Drumsticks
These crispy baked chicken drumsticks pair perfectly with comforting sides or lighter options.
I love any comments or questions. Please feel free to leave them below.
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Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card, you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
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Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add 2 cups buttermilk, 4 dashes hot sauce , 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Mix to combine the ingredients.
- Add the 10 pieces chicken drumsticks to the bowl. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes; overnight is preferred.
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Once heated, add 2 teaspoons unsalted butter on a large baking sheet and place on the center rack of the oven for about 2 minutes to melt the butter. Once the butter is melted, remove the rack from the oven and set it aside.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon ground thyme, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and ½ - 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper. (Note 1)
- Remove the buttermilk-marinated chicken from the refrigerator. Shake excess marinade off each marinated chicken drumstick before placing them in the seasoned flour.Repeat the process of dredging the chicken in the flour mixture, shake off excess flour, and place the seasoned drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet.
- Once all chicken drumsticks are floured and placed on the prepared baking sheet, bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165°F/74°C. Use an internal meat thermometer to get the internal temperature of the drumsticks.
- Remove drumsticks from the oven and serve with your favorite side dishes.
Nutrition
Notes
- I prefer using low-fat buttermilk. Full-fat buttermilk (which is still not very fattening) can be used.
- I love the flavor of smoked paprika in this crispy baked chicken. Regular paprika works if you do not have smoked paprika.
- Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation, and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
Joanna Lynn Mccarthy
Is there a substitute for flour , like gluten free sub or just different flour , I am diabetic so I have to watch my carbs.
Eileen xo
Hi Joanna, you can use Bobs Red Mill 1 to 1 gluten-free flour as I have because I have a gluten-free daughter. I have not tried any other flour but now I need to try it out with almond flour. If you try it, please let me know. Otherwise, I will let you know once I have experimented with other flours.
Bobby B.
Looks great! In the instructions, you mention adding thyme to the flour. But thyme doesn't appear in ingredient list. Can you please clarify?
Eileen xo
Hi Bobby, our apologies, we have corrected the recipe to include the dried thyme. It will be 1 teaspoon added to the flour. I hope you enjoy the drumsticks. They are a favorite.
Cindy
Made for a family picnic. We also took the skin off the drumsticks. Excellent recipe. Thanks Eileen
Eileen xo
Woohoo~ So happy you like the recipe Cindy! I am thrilled
Karyl Henry
I just got done eating lunch, but my mouth is WATERING!! Drumsticks are my favorite piece of chicken, and this looks absolutely amazing. I have to try this recipe
Eileen xo
Aw, thank you Karyl! I hope you enjoy the crispy drumsticks! I'd love to hear back after you make them
Jill
Could I use skinless, boneless chicken breasts, do you think? Weight Watchers allows white chicken meet to have zero points, so just the breading would count!?
Eileen xo
Jill, absolutely use skinless boneless chicken breasts. I make them all the time with this coating and they are delicious. I bake for about 20 minutes and they are done. Let me know how it works for you too! Enjoy!
Ellen
Is there a more perfect picnic food than chicken?
Eileen xo
I agree Ellen, a favorite picnic food.
Femi. O
Yasss! That is some good looking chicken right there! I love baked chicken because it tends to keep the insides juicy while retaining that crunch on the outside! Your buttermilk looks delicious too! Great tasting and healthy I can always live with!
Eileen xo
thank you so much, so agree about keeping the juices inside the chicken to keep the chicken moist. I hope you enjoy Femi.
Sara
It has been too long since I had a crispy chicken leg! These look awesome! I love that you baked instead of fried!
Eileen xo
Thank you, Sara, baked is so much better and healthier. Glad you enjoy!
Kat Jeter
I'll be honest I love fried chicken but I've always been a little intimidated by it. I love that you managed to get all of the flavor of buttermilk fried chicken into a baked version. Can't wait to try this!
Eileen xo
Thank you Kat, and yes so easy to make great baked "fried chicken" that tastes amazing
Jennifer
I can’t believe these are baked and not fried! They look delicious and so incredibly crispy!!
Michele @ Queenbeebaker
Pinning this! We are planning a lot of get-togethers this Spring and Summer. These chicken drumsticks are perfection!
Eileen xo
Thank you so much Michelle, I hope your party enjoys these yummy drumsticks
Karyl Henry
I'm totally a dark meat girl, so this recipe is so speaking to me! I love the super crispy coating, and that it's not fried. Definitely will be making this soon
Eileen xo
Karyl, awesome, I hope you enjoy!
Anne Murphy
Those are beautiful! Most oven-fired chicken I've seen (and eaten, and made...) doesn't brown that beautifully. I have to try your method!
Madi
This has to be the perfect chicken drumstick recipe! These look so amazing!
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
How did I miss out on National Picnic Day?! Fried chicken is such a perfect picnic food. My 6-year-old absolutely loves drumsticks, and the crispier, the better! This looks like a dish that would totally hit the spot!
elcitrakale
always looking new way to serve healthier fried chicken for my fams.. can't wait to try your recipe. Thx for sharing
Eileen xo
Thank you, I hope you enjoy. One of my favourites
Kim @ Berly's Kitchen
These look super crispy and really easy to make! I can't believe they're baked and not fried. I wonder if I could get the boys to try these. They look amazing! You know your chicken!!
Eileen xo
Thank you, Kim, these are great. I hope your boys try them
Jenni LeBaron
Yum! I have been meaning to put drumsticks in our dinner rotation again soon. This recipe look super tasty.
Eileen xo
Jenni, these are a family favorite. I hope you add it into your dinner rotation soon.
Carrie
I love that these are marinated in buttermilk, they must be so delicious. trying this next time!
Eileen xo
Thank you Carrie. The buttermilk adds amazing flavor.
Codrut Turcanu
I usually buy drumsticks at KFC... but my mother can go well with this recipe, thanks!
Eileen xo
Condrut, ask your Mom to make these and you won't eat KFC again :), trust me. Thank you so much for stopping by and let me know when you try there!
Jolene
I really wish I could reach through the screen and grab a piece, looks so perfectly crispy and delicious. And I love that it's baked!
Eileen xo
Thank you, Jolene, these are delish and crispy.I hope you enjoy.
Cindy
Gorgeous photos! So crispy too!
Eileen xo
Thank you Cindy!
Liz @ Books n' Cooks
These look delicious - so excited to try a healthier alternative to a classic fried chicken at my next picnic!
Eileen xo
Thank you Liz.These are much healthier and no one misses the grease from deep frying.
Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck
I really do think these are going to make it onto my MUST MAKE LIST!!! YUMMY!!!
Eileen xo
Awesome Colleen,I hope you enjoy as much as we do!
Camilla at Culinary Adventures
Those look delicious, Eileen. Can't wait to try these.
Eileen xo
Thank you Camilla. They are delicious!
Wendyf
Love this lightened up version. I often use buttermilk for my fried chicken. Happy to know that I can bake it with wonderful results.
Eileen xo
I hope you try it baked, so good.