Air fryer Lemon pepper chicken drumsticks
In 30 minutes or less, these lemon pepper chicken drumsticks come out of the air fryer perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Main ingredients:
![]() | Chicken drumsticks – you can use any type of chicken, but I’m using drumsticks in this recipe. |
![]() | Vegetable oil with a high smoking point like avocado, sunflower, or peanut oil. |
![]() | Lemons – fresh yellow lemons juiced |
![]() | Garlic powder or flakes for the spice rub |
![]() | Parsley – fresh or dried parsley |
![]() | Onion powder – for a bit more flavor in the spice rub. |
![]() | Paprika – smoked paprika for a bit of heat. |
![]() | Salt and pepper |
There is something inherently fun about eating chicken drumsticks. With finger-licking goodness, these chicken drumsticks in a lemon pepper seasoning make an excellent dish for weeknight dinners, outdoor picnics, and even fancy get-togethers.
It is a very simple dish as it is easy to prepare and cooks in a short time. For maximum flavor, I recommend marinating the chicken for at least 10-20 minutes, but none of that takes away from its crispy deliciousness that comes when making it in the air fryer.

And with very little oil being used in the recipe, it is also one of the healthier dishes to put together for a nightly meal or an easy lunch. Just let the natural juices do its job, and leave your friends and family wanting more.
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Air fryer lemon pepper drumsticks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks
- 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 2 lemons
- 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon of freshly cracked pepper
- 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon of dried parsley
- 1 tablespoon of onion powder
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Lay the drumsticks out on a paper towel and pat them dry.
- Place all the spices, oil, and juice from the lemons in a bowl and mix together.
- Mix each drumstick around in the spice mixture so that the drumsticks are fully coated.
- Let the chicken marinate for 10-20 minutes in the fridge.
- Then preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Spread the drumsticks into the air fryer basket and set the time to 20 minutes, turning them every 5-10 minutes.
- Open the air fryer to see if they are crispy enough for you, and heat them for a couple more minutes if you wish.
- Serve while warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Please note: We are not certified nutritionists and these estimates written and produced for entertainment purposes only.
What to serve with it?
This Instant pot chicken pot pie can be served by itself, or with side dish like this spinach salad with tahini yogurt dressing or homemade carrot soup.

How to store it?
You can easily prepare lemon pepper drumsticks in advance, and leave them in the fridge. When ready to eat, just put them back in the air fryer at 380°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes to make them crispy again.








