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Air Fryer Keto Chicken Drumsticks with Lemon Garlic Butter

Spice-rubbed drumsticks air fried to crisp skin, then tossed in a lemon garlic butter, done in about 25 minutes.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 chicken drumsticks bone-in, skin-on
  • 1.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 tbsp butter melted
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 lemon zested, plus 2 tbsp juice
  • chopped parsley optional

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • Small saucepan
  • Meat thermometer

Method
 

  1. Pat the drumsticks very dry. Combine the salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Toss the drumsticks with the oil, then the spice mix.
  2. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F. Cook in a single layer, not touching, 10 minutes. Flip and cook 10 to 12 minutes more, to 175 to 185°F. Small drumsticks run 18 to 20 minutes total, jumbo up to 26.
  3. Warm the melted butter with the garlic 1 minute, then off the heat stir in the lemon zest and juice.
  4. Toss the hot drumsticks in the lemon garlic butter and scatter parsley.

Notes

Dry the skin hard — the drier it starts, the crisper it finishes.
Take dark meat to 175 to 185°F for tenderness without dryness.
Toss while hot so the butter clings.