SWEET & SPICY CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS (Air Fryer or Oven)

These Sweet & Spicy Chicken Drumsticks are a family favourite.  Juicy and tender, super easy to make, and suitable for gluten-free, paleo, and keto diets, too.

You can baste them with BBQ sauce or serve them with your favourite dip, but I love them naked, straight out of the fryer. 

Ingredients:

• 8 chicken drumsticks

• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 tsp Lakanto Golden sugar-free monk fruit (or brown sugar)

• 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp sea salt

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1/2 tsp ground cumin

• 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper

Air Fryer Directions:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF.

2. In a small bowl, combine Lakanto Golden (or brown sugar), salt, and spices.  Set aside. 

3. Pat the chicken drumsticks with a paper towel to dry. Add them to a medium-sized bowl or ziplock bag.

4. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and toss to coat. Then sprinkle with spice mixture and toss again.

5. Place the drumsticks in air fryer basket in a single layer with space in between (do multiple batches if needed) to ensure even cooking.

6. Cook for 10 minutes, turn drumsticks over, and cook for another 9 to 10 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF. Serve warm with your choice of dipping sauce.

Oven Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF.

2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and set a wire baking rack over the foil.  If you don’t have a baking rack, spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray.

3. In a small bowl, combine Lakanto Golden (or brown sugar), salt, and spices.  Set aside. 

4. Pat the chicken drumsticks with a paper towel to dry. Add them to a medium-sized bowl or ziplock bag.

5. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and toss to coat. Then sprinkle with spice mixture and toss again.

6. Place the drumsticks on the wire rack (or the greased foil) in a single layer with space in between each piece to ensure even cooking. 

7. Bake the chicken for 25 minutes, then turn over and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink at the bone and the juices are clear or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF. Serve warm with your choice of dipping sauce.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Enjoy cold or reheat in the air fryer or oven before serving. If using the air fryer, reheat at 375ºF for approximately 4 minutes, flipping halfway.

Leftover Sweet & Spicy Chicken Drumsticks packed for lunch.