Crispy Lemon Pepper Air Fryer Chicken Thighs | Easy Air Fry Recipes with Chicken Drumsticks

Dinner time in my house feels like a whole sport. Three teenagers walk in acting like they have not eaten in years. They yell, they open the fridge fifty times, and then ask what is for dinner while I am still thinking. That is when I pull out my best trick… the air fryer. Seriously, whoever made that thing deserves a medal.

One of my go to meals is Air Fry Chicken Legs Bone In. The kids call them chicken drums, I call them lifesavers. These Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks come out so crispy you would think I deep fried them, but nope. It is just my trusty air fryer doing the work. The flavor is wild good and I barely have to lift a finger.

If you ever wondered how to make chicken drumsticks in the air fryer, this is the Air Fry Drumsticks Recipe you need. It is easy, it is fast, and it makes Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I have tried Air Fryer Chicken Drumlets, Air Fryer Chicken Drummies, even Air Fryer Baked Chicken Drumsticks, and every single time my kids clean their plates. Bonus for me, less whining.

I pair these Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks with sides like fries, rice, or roasted veggies depending on what I have around. That makes it one of the easiest Air Fry Recipes to throw together on a school night. The best part is it works with frozen too, because mom brain forgets to thaw chicken like half the time.

Honestly, this is the Best Air Fryer Chicken recipe in my house. These are the Best Air Fryer Drumsticks and they are on repeat because they taste like classic Air Fryer Fried Chicken Drumsticks but without the oil mess. If you want family dinner that is fast, tasty, and teenager approved, these Chicken Drumsticks in Air Fryer Oven are the way to go.

Ingredients You Will Need

• 4 chicken thighs, bone in and skin on
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 and 1 half teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika (this is optional but gives color)
• Half teaspoon salt
• Lemon wedges for serving

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Get the chicken ready

Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Do not skip this or the skin will not get crispy. Put the chicken in a big bowl.

Step 2: Season the chicken

Pour olive oil over the chicken. Add the lemon juice, zest, and all the seasonings. Use your hands or a spoon and mix it up until every piece is coated.

Step 3: Put it in the air fryer

Place the chicken thighs skin side down in the basket. Try not to crowd them because they need space to crisp up.

Step 4: Time to cook

Cook at 400 degrees for about 12 minutes. Flip them over and cook for another 12 to 13 minutes. Make sure the inside reaches 165 degrees.

Step 5: Serve them up

Squeeze fresh lemon juice on top before serving. Pair it with rice, roasted veggies, or even french fries if you are like me and need dinner fast.

These lemon pepper air fryer chicken thighs are my go to when life feels too busy. I can make them with frozen chicken, leftover chicken, or fresh. It always works out and makes me look like I know what I am doing in the kitchen even when I do not. The best part is my kids are quiet at the table which gives me maybe ten minutes of peace and that is worth everything.

FAQs for Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

Lemon Pepper Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe Card

Lemon Pepper Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Juicy chicken thighs with a crispy lemon pepper crust that tastes like you spent forever in the kitchen (but it is really just the air fryer doing the work). This recipe is family-friendly, teen-approved, and perfect for busy weeknights when you want dinner fast without babysitting the stove.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

• 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh if you got it
• 1 ½ teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon paprika optional for color
• ½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
• Fresh lemon wedges for serving

Instructions

 

Step 1: Prep the chicken

• Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This helps get that crispy skin.

Step 2: Season

• In a small bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, and all the seasonings. Rub the mixture all over the chicken thighs. Get under the skin if you can.

Step 3: Preheat air fryer

• Set your air fryer to 400°F for about 5 minutes. This makes the chicken extra crispy.

Step 4: Cook

• Place chicken thighs in the basket skin side down. Air fry for 12 minutes. Flip them and cook another 12–13 minutes, until crispy and golden.

Step 5: Check temp

• Use a meat thermometer—make sure chicken hits 165°F inside.

Step 6: Serve

• Squeeze fresh lemon over the top and serve with your favorite sides.

Notes

Tips

• Do not crowd the basket—air needs space to circulate for that crunchy skin.
• Want extra zing? Add fresh lemon zest to the seasoning mix.
• If your kids are spice fans, sprinkle a little cayenne.

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Variations

• Boneless thighs: Cook about 5 minutes less.
• Chicken breasts: Use the same seasoning, but reduce cooking time (15–18 minutes).
• No lemon pepper? Mix black pepper with lemon zest and a pinch of salt.
• Low effort marinade: Toss chicken in bottled lemon pepper dressing and air fry.

If you are anything like me, dinner time feels like a full on sport with three teens yelling what is ready to eat. That is why I keep coming back to this Air Fry Drumsticks Recipe. These Air Fry Chicken Legs Bone In come out crispy outside, juicy inside, and nobody leaves the table hungry.

The best part? Air Fry Recipes like this do not take all night. Just pop those chicken drums in the basket and boom—Air Fried Drumsticks that taste like the Best Air Fryer Chicken ever. Whether you call them Air Fryer Chicken Drumlets, Chicken Drummies, or just plain chicken legs, they always come out good.

I love that Air Fryer Baked Chicken Drumsticks can be dressed up or down. Want spicy? Add heat. Want family night comfort? Keep it simple. The kids call these Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks Crispy Easy because they always hit. Plus I can throw on simple Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks Sides like fries, salad, or mac and cheese. Dinner done.

So if you are stressing about what to make, just trust me—this Air Fryer Chicken Leg Recipe will save your night. Out of all my Air Fryer Chicken Legs Recipes, this one is top tier. It is crispy, quick, and feels like the Best Air Fryer Drumsticks you will ever make. Honestly, learning How To Make Chicken Drumsticks In The Air Fryer is the mom hack you did not know you needed.

Now go ahead and try it—because once you taste these Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks, you will never beg your oven again.

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