10+ Chicken Drumstick Recipes You’ll Love to Try Tonight

Chicken drumsticks are a classic favorite for family meals. They’re easy to cook and you can make them so many ways, depending on what you’re craving.

Whether you bake, grill, or fry them, drumsticks are juicy and full of flavor. Honestly, who doesn’t love a good drumstick?

You can find simple recipes using common ingredients to make delicious chicken drumsticks at home. Adjust the flavors to your liking—these recipes are great for quick dinners or gatherings.

Cooking drumsticks adds variety to your meals without much hassle.

1) Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks

You can get crispy chicken drumsticks straight from your oven with just a few steps. Season the drumsticks with salt, pepper, and your favorite spices.

Bake them at a high heat, around 425°F (220°C), for about 40-45 minutes. Flip them halfway through so they get crispy all over.

Your drumsticks will be juicy inside and crunchy on the outside.

Ingredients:

• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika or your preferred seasoning

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Pat drumsticks dry with a paper towel.
3. Toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika.
4. Arrange on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment.
5. Bake for 20 minutes, flip, then bake another 20-25 minutes.
6. Make sure the internal temp hits 165°F (74°C) before you dig in.

2) Honey Garlic Baked Drumsticks

Honey garlic baked drumsticks are sweet, savory, and almost too easy. Marinate them in a mix of honey, garlic, butter, and a little mustard.

The sauce clings to the chicken as it bakes, turning sticky and delicious. Bake them slowly so the drumsticks stay juicy and the skin crisps up a bit.

Ingredients

• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix honey, garlic, melted butter, and mustard in a bowl.
3. Season drumsticks with salt and pepper.
4. Coat drumsticks in the sauce.
5. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, turning once.
7. Check that the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).

Learn more about this recipe at honey garlic baked chicken drumsticks.

3) Spicy Curry Yogurt Marinated Drumsticks

Marinate drumsticks in Greek yogurt and curry spices for a spicy, tangy kick. The yogurt keeps the chicken tender, and the spices add a ton of flavor.

Let the drumsticks soak for at least 2 hours, or overnight if you remember. You can bake or air fry them for a crispy outside and juicy inside.

This recipe uses simple stuff you probably have, like garlic, cumin, and chili powder.

Ingredients

• 12 chicken drumsticks
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix yogurt, curry powder, cumin, chili powder, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Coat the drumsticks in the marinade.
3. Cover and chill for 2 hours or overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
5. Place drumsticks on a foil-lined baking sheet.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden and cooked through.
7. Serve hot.

You can find more on making curry chicken drumsticks here.

4) Garlic Parmesan Roasted Drumsticks

Garlic Parmesan roasted drumsticks are simple and packed with flavor. Coat the chicken in olive oil, minced garlic, and a good amount of grated Parmesan.

Roast at 425°F (220°C) for about 40 to 45 minutes. Make sure they’re golden brown and juices run clear.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chicken drumsticks
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Mix olive oil, garlic, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
3. Coat drumsticks evenly.
4. Place on a greased baking sheet.
5. Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden and cooked through.

5) BBQ Smoked Chicken Drumsticks

Smoking chicken drumsticks brings out a deep, smoky flavor that BBQ lovers crave. Dry brine them overnight with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika so the seasoning really gets in there.

Smoke the drumsticks at 275°F (135°C) for about 90 minutes. Throw in some applewood or maple chips for a sweet, smoky aroma.

Brush on your favorite BBQ sauce during the last 10 minutes if you want them sticky. The skin crisps up, and the meat stays juicy.

Ingredients:

• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 cup BBQ sauce (optional)
• Wood chips (applewood or maple)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Dry brine drumsticks with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic, and onion powder overnight.
2. Preheat smoker to 275°F (135°C).
3. Add wood chips.
4. Place drumsticks on the rack.
5. Smoke for about 90 minutes, turning now and then.
6. Optional: Brush with BBQ sauce in the last 10 minutes.
7. Pull them when they hit 165°F (74°C).
8. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

6) Asian Honey-Soy Glazed Drumsticks

These Asian honey-soy glazed drumsticks are sticky, sweet, and savory. The sauce is just honey, soy sauce, garlic, and a little oil.

Let the drumsticks marinate so the flavors really get in there. Bake them until the skin is golden and the glaze caramelizes.

Serve with rice or steamed veggies if you want a full meal.

Ingredients

• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, and oil.
2. Coat drumsticks and marinate at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
4. Place drumsticks on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes, turning once.
6. Brush with extra sauce if you like before serving.

7) Lemon Herb Grilled Drumsticks

Lemon and herbs make these grilled drumsticks super fresh and bright. Marinate the chicken in lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic herb seasoning.

Grill over medium heat so the skin crisps up and the inside stays juicy. Let them rest a few minutes before serving—trust me, it helps.

Ingredients

• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons garlic herb seasoning

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, and seasoning.
2. Coat drumsticks and marinate at least 1 hour.
3. Preheat grill to medium (about 350°F/175°C).
4. Grill for 25-30 minutes, turning now and then.
5. Check for 165°F (74°C) inside.
6. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

For more on lemon herb grilled chicken, see this lemon herb grilled chicken recipe.

8) Buffalo Style Baked Drumsticks

Baked Buffalo drumsticks let you enjoy that classic spicy flavor without frying. You still get crispy skin and a tangy, spicy coating.

Make a quick Buffalo sauce with melted butter and hot pepper sauce. Toss the drumsticks so they’re well coated and bake until golden and cooked through.

Serve them with celery sticks or a side salad if you want to keep it classic.

Ingredients:

• 2 to 3 lbs chicken drumsticks
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/4 cup hot pepper sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
2. Mix melted butter and hot sauce.
3. Season drumsticks with salt and pepper.
4. Coat drumsticks in Buffalo sauce.
5. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet.
6. Bake for 40-45 minutes until crispy.
7. Toss with more sauce if you want before serving.

9) Sweet and Spicy Sriracha Drumsticks

Sweet and spicy sriracha drumsticks are honestly hard to resist. The sticky glaze—honey and sriracha mingling together—hits you with just enough heat and a little sweetness.

The chicken skin gets nice and crispy in the oven. Every bite? Crunchy, juicy, and packed with flavor.

You start by marinating the drumsticks in the sauce. That way, the flavors really soak in.

Bake them until the skin turns golden and the meat feels tender. It’s simple, but it works.

This recipe’s a lifesaver for busy weeknights or game night snacks. I usually serve them with rice or roasted veggies—nothing fancy, just good.

Ingredients

• 10 chicken drumsticks, skin on
• 3 tablespoons sriracha sauce
• 6 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix sriracha, honey, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Toss the drumsticks in the sauce and let them marinate for 20 minutes.
4. Place drumsticks on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes until cooked through and crispy.
6. If you want extra flavor, brush on more sauce halfway through baking.

10) Maple Mustard Baked Drumsticks

Maple mustard baked drumsticks are surprisingly easy to throw together. The sauce? Just a quick mix of maple syrup and mustard—sweet, tangy, and a bit addictive.

Coat your drumsticks in the sauce. Pop them in the oven, and that glaze really clings to the chicken as it bakes.

You end up with a meal that’s a little sweet, a little savory, and totally satisfying. I like it with roasted veggies, but a fresh salad works too.

Want to mix things up? Try swapping in whole grain or Dijon mustard for a different vibe. Baking drumsticks like this brings out so much flavor and keeps them juicy.

Ingredients:

• 8 chicken drumsticks
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons mustard (whole grain or Dijon)
• 1 tablespoon oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, mix maple syrup, mustard, oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Toss the drumsticks with the sauce until they’re coated.
4. Arrange them on a foil-lined baking tray.
5. Bake for 35–40 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
6. Check that the chicken hits 165°F (74°C) inside.
7. Let them rest for about 5 minutes before digging in.

Give this recipe a shot if you want chicken that’s sweet, savory, and honestly, pretty hard to mess up. For a closer look, check out Maple Mustard Chicken Legs.