Spicy Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks
Crunchy, spicy oven-baked chicken drumsticks marinated in tangy buttermilk and hot sauce, coated in a fiery chip crust, and baked to crispy perfection without deep frying.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
8 chicken drumsticks
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup hot sauce
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups crushed spicy chips (Flamin’ Hot or spicy nacho recommended)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional: cayenne pepper for extra heat
Cooking spray or oil
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce. Add the drumsticks, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- In a shallow dish, mix flour, crushed spicy chips, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using.
- Remove drumsticks from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Dredge each drumstick in the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere coating evenly.
- Place a wire rack on a baking sheet and lightly grease with cooking spray or oil. Arrange coated drumsticks on the rack without touching.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake drumsticks for 35-40 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and coating is golden and crispy.
- Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving. Pair with creamy dip like ranch or blue cheese if desired.
Notes
- Extra heat: Add more cayenne pepper or use hotter spicy chips.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute flour with gluten-free blend and use gluten-free chips.
- Herb-Infused: Add dried herbs like thyme or oregano to coating mix.
- Sweet and Spicy: Drizzle honey or sweet chili sauce after baking.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in airtight container refrigerated up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 min or air fryer for 5-7 min.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure doneness (165°F/74°C).
- Double coating for extra crunch by dipping again in buttermilk then flour mix.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 drumsticks
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
