Best Baked Chicken Legs {Drumsticks}

Ingredients

8 skin-on chicken drumsticks approx. 2 pounds total weight
3 tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp sea salt

½ tsp black pepper

1 Tbsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp onion powder
1 Tbsp smoked or sweet paprika
1 Tbsp dry mustard optional

Directions

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
Add the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and black pepper to a small mixing bowl.

Using a fork, blend the spices together.

Add the olive oil to the spices and blend them together.
Allow the chicken legs to come to room temperature.
Using a pastry brush (or your hands) coat the chicken legs with the seasoning oil mixture. Make sure to coat the entire drumstick
Place the chicken legs in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet, making sure to leave room between the drumsticks.
Bake the chicken legs for 30 minutes at 400 degrees on the middle rack of your oven.
Brush the legs with the oil that has gathered on the tray and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until crispy (cooking time may vary).
*If you use an instant-read thermometer the internal temperature must be at least 165 degrees. At this temperature and time, they should be well above that internal temp
CAN I USE DIFFERENT SEASONINGS ON THE CHICKEN LEGS?
Absolutely! Use your favorite premade seasoning blends or create your own blend using the spices with the flavor profiles you enjoy eating.
Some of my favorite spice blends for seasoning these crispy baked chicken drumsticks are Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, old bay, barbecue seasoning and jerk seasoning.
Yes, you can, the only real change is cutting back on the olive oil.
Coat the chicken drumsticks with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Mix the seasonings together. Toss the chicken legs with the seasoning. Spray the seasoned chicken legs with olive oil spray.
Place the drumsticks into the air fryer basket, making sure not to crowd them.
Cook at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Flip the drumsticks and cook for another 10 minutes. Remove and serve immediately.

Should you cover drumsticks in the oven?

No, you shouldn’t cover the chicken legs. The skin needs to brown and get crispy. Covering the chicken during the entire cooking process will steam the chicken instead of roasting it.

Can you overcook chicken drumsticks?

You sure can. Overcooking the chicken will dry it out and make it tough. Check on the chicken legs after 30 minutes since all ovens are different.

Notes

CAN I USE CHICKEN THIGHS TO MAKE THIS RECIPE?

Yes, you can. I suggest using bone-in chicken thighs. I prefer skin-on chicken for this type of dish. The skin serves as a layer of protection to prevent the meat from drying out and creates a crispy exterior. That’s a win-win!

You can also use whole chicken legs with the thigh attached (chicken quarters).

*To get really crispy skin you need to thoroughly dry the chicken before applying the oil and seasonings. Use paper towels to pat dry the chicken legs. Removing the excess moisture from the skin will allow you to get that perfectly crispy skin.

Nutrition