Jerk Chicken Drumsticks In Air Fryer (Jerk Chicken Leg)
Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Drumsticks The most flavorful, lips-smacking jerk chicken drumsticks are marinated in jerk seasoning and cooked in the air fryer. They are crispy on the outside, moist, and tender on the inside. These air fryer jerk chicken legs are spicy (obviously, from the jerk marinade), tasty, easy to make, and great for…
Air Fryer Jerk Chicken Drumsticks
The most flavorful, lips-smacking jerk chicken drumsticks are marinated in jerk seasoning and cooked in the air fryer. They are crispy on the outside, moist, and tender on the inside. These air fryer jerk chicken legs are spicy (obviously, from the jerk marinade), tasty, easy to make, and great for meal prep. Make a double batch of jerk chicken drumsticks at the beginning of the week and enjoy them throughout the week. Finally, jerk chicken drumsticks are versatile; in other words, they are great with salads, bowls, rice, plantains, etc.
May I share a secret with you? Please, don’t tell anyone, but this jerk chicken recipe is actually my husband’s favorite chicken drumstick recipe. When it comes to drumstick, my husband doesn’t want us making it any other way. The kick of heat from the jerk seasoning does fantastic things to his tastebuds. I call him the caretaker of anything jerk! Lolz.
The bottom line is that you can never go wrong with these easy and tasty jerk chicken drumsticks. And to make this process even easier, I will be using Walkerswood Traditional Jamaican jerk seasoning. Amazingly, you don’t have to worry about having all the different ingredients. All you need are two tablespoons of Walkerswood. Listen, this is an easy jerk chicken air fryer recipe you need in your arsenal. Thank me later.
What is Jerk?
The first time I learned that jerk simply means a style of cooking and not a spice or marinade, I was perplexed. Jerk actually refers to a method of slow-cooking marinated meat (chicken, pork, goat, seafood, vegetables, etc.) over coal/green pimento wood or grill. And the smoke is instrumental to the taste as it flavors the marinated meat or vegetables. However, what’s also important here is the marinade that gives jerk chicken, jerk pork, etc. that pungent, lips-smacking, finger-licking good taste! It will be correct to say that the smoke and the spices (jerk marinade) are instrumental to the taste of the jerk meat. The fire and the fiery marinade simultaneously flavor the marinated meat or vegetables.
We mainly use jerk seasoning to make jerk meat (especially here in America)! And am sure nothing will ever compare to the authentic jerk chicken in Jamaica. I look forward to trying those whenever I happen to visit. While I continue to dream, I strongly count on this easy air fryer jerk chicken drumsticks. You can make jerk chicken in the oven, air fryer, or electric grill with jerk seasoning or jerk marinade.
Also, remember that the jerk chicken you make in the air fryer or electric grill will not have a smoky taste like those cooked over coal/green pimento wood or grill.
You can call me lazy, but when it comes to jerk seasoning, I rarely make it myself. I prefer a good brand that I can grab from a grocery store or Amazon. I have always used this one – Walkerswood. Please note that this post is NOT sponsored by them.
What Is Jerk Chicken?
Jerk chicken is a hot and spicy chicken marinated in jerk seasoning and then grilled, oven-baked, or air-fried to perfection. Jerk chicken is spicy due to the jerk marinade. It comprises several ingredients alongside scotch bonnet peppers or habanero.
Making jerk chicken drumsticks in the air fryer is easy, and cleanup is even way easier, so there is absolutely no reason not to make this recipe. So grateful that the people of Jamaica and the entire Island of the Caribbean can share this tasty jerk chicken with us.
Why You Will Love This Jerk Chicken Drumsticks:
- These jerk chicken drumsticks are flavorful, tasty, and finger-licking good!
- They are easy to make!
- Perfect for meal prep.
- Cleaning up afterward is easy, just because we used the air fryer!
- These air fryer jerk chicken drumsticks are healthy; they aren’t breaded, tossed in flour, or fried. And the ingredients are health–improving!
- It can wake you up (the heat in this dish is liberating)!!!
- Jerk chicken drumstick recipe is gluten-free and sugar-free. The jerk seasoning that I used is sugar-free.
- This is the perfect keto jerk chicken air fryer recipe you need. Nevertheless, you can bake it in the oven.
- If you are ready to add some flavors to your dish, this easy air fryer jerk chicken drumsticks are so worth it!
WATCH HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE:
Ingredients For Jerk Chicken Drumsticks In Air Fryer:
- Chicken drumsticks
- Jerk seasoning (I used Walkerswood brand)
- Olive oil or avocado oil
- Onion powder
- Dry thyme
- Maggi cube (Knorr chicken powder); optional
- Monk fruit (optional; for a bit of sweetness)
NOTE: You do not need to add salt to this recipe because the jerk seasoning has sodium. I suggest only adding salt if using sodium-free jerk seasoning. See recipe card for the exact measurements of the ingredients.
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER JERK CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS (step-by-step):
Here’s how to make air fryer jerk chicken drumsticks. Literally anyone can make this. No expertise is required.
- clean chicken well.
I like washing the chicken drumsticks with lemon and water. Simply place the chicken in a big bowl and juice or squeeze in lemon juice. Wash and rinse thoroughly. Finally, use paper towels to dry and put them into a big bowl.
- season the drumsticks.
Add all the ingredients to the chicken. Then while wearing gloves, use your hands to combine. Allow chicken to marinate for up to 2 days or air fry immediately.
- air fry jerk chicken drumsticks.
Set the air fryer to 350 degrees and set the time to 15 minutes; preheat. Place marinated jerk chicken drumsticks inside the air fryer basket and air fry.
- flip/turn chicken.
Check the chicken after 15 minutes and flip. Then set the air fryer to 400 degrees and air fry for 7 minutes.
- check for doneness and finish cooking.
Use a meat thermometer to check the air fryer jerk chicken legs for doneness after 7 minutes. Insert it to the thickest part of the drumstick, and if it reads 165, they are ready. If not, cook until well done. I cooked these jerk chicken drumsticks for a total of 22 minutes. You may need to cook yours longer if they are bigger drumsticks.
- serve and enjoy.
Allow jerk chicken drumsticks to cool, and then serve. You can serve this healthy air fryer jerk chicken drumstick with carbohydrates like rice, beans and plantains. Also, you can serve them with salads, or roasted vegetables. Feel free to remove the skin before eating if you wish.
RECIPE NOTES/TIPS:
- If using the same jerk seasoning that I used, there is no need to add salt. Only add salt if using sodium-free jerk marinade.
- Typically, only the jerk seasoning is enough to season the chicken; however, I enjoy great flavors. Alongside the jerk seasoning, I added onion and garlic powder, plus a few other spices.
- Be sure to use less jerk marinade if you are not used to spicy foods. This recipe packs up the heat!
- Undoubtedly use hand gloves when combining the chicken with the spices unless you don’t mind the heat!
- Monk fruit is a no-calorie sweetener; it adds a hint of sweetness to counter the heat. This is optional; feel free to skip it.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Feel free to add more time if you have giant chicken drumsticks.
- I typically cook jerk chicken drumsticks for a total 22 – 25 minutes. Even without using a meat thermometer they should be well done. Always fully cooked chicken.
- Air fryer jerk chicken legs are perfect for meal prep.
- Jerk chicken drumsticks in the air fryer are notably the easiest way to cook jerk drumsticks (in my opinion). However, if you do not have an air fryer, you can follow all the processes and bake them in the oven instead.
- Ensure to have cold water when enjoying these air fryer jerk chicken drumsticks. They are really hot and spicy!
Jerk Chicken Drumsticks FAQs:
Yes, you can absolutely air fry jerk chicken. First, marinate chicken with jerk seasoning. Second, air fry for 22 – 25 minutes or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken reads 165.
Jerk chicken is indisputably spicy, flavorful, and overall lip-smacking, finger-licking good! Jerk chicken cooked over coal/green pimento wood or grill will equally have a rich smoky taste.
Jerk seasoning consists of Scotch bonnet peppers, cinnamon, scallions, nutmeg, thyme, garlic, ginger, allspice, lemon, olive, and salt. Some people include brown sugar for a hint of sweetness.
Yes, jerk chicken is both healthy and tastier than most drumstick recipes. You can serve this healthy air fryer jerk chicken drumsticks with carbohydrates, salads, or roasted vegetables. Feel free to remove the skin before eating.
Yes, jerk chicken and jerk cooking originated from Jamaica. It is a style of cooking that is famous on the Caribbean Island. Thankfully it is everywhere today.
You can store air fried jerk chicken in the refrigerator for 5 – 7 days. On the other hand, you can keep cooked jerk chicken in the freezer for 12 weeks. You can allow jerk chicken to marinate for up 2 days before cooking.
Yes, you can make chicken drumsticks in the air fryer. Equally, you can make any other type of chicken in the air fryer. This jerk chicken air fryer recipe shows you one of the ways to make chicken drumsticks in the air fryer.
HOW TO MAKE JERK CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS IN THE AIR FRYER:
PrintJerk Chicken Drumsticks In Air Fryer (Air Fried Jerk Chicken)
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Jamaican
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
The most flavorful, lips-smacking jerk chicken drumsticks are marinated in jerk seasoning and cooked in the air fryer. They are crispy on the outside, moist, and tender on the inside. These air fryer jerk chicken legs are spicy (obviously, from the jerk marinade), tasty, easy to make, and great for meal prep. These keto air fried jerk chicken legs are hot, spicy, and flavorful! Easily make jerk chicken drumsticks in air fryer with jerk seasoning.
Ingredients
- 6 chicken drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons of Jerk seasoning (I like and use Walkerswood brand)
- 1 tablespoon of Olive oil or avocado oil
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dry thyme
- ½ teaspoon of small Maggi cube (or ½ teaspoon Knorr chicken powder); optional
- ½ teaspoon monk fruit (optional; for a little sweetness)
NOTE: You do not need to add salt to this recipe because the jerk seasoning has sodium. I suggest only adding salt if using sodium-free jerk seasoning.
Instructions
- Step one: clean chicken well. I like washing the chicken drumsticks with lemon. Simply place the chicken in a big bowl and juice or squeeze in lemon juice. Wash and rinse thoroughly. Finally, use paper towels to dry and put them into a big bowl.
- Step two: season the drumsticks. Add all the ingredients to the chicken. Then while wearing gloves, use your hands to combine. Allow chicken to marinate for up to 2 days or air fry immediately.
- Step three: air fry jerk chicken drumsticks. Set the air fryer to 350 degrees and set the time to 15 minutes; preheat. Place marinated jerk chicken drumsticks inside the air fryer basket and air fry.
- Step four: flip/turn chicken. Check the chicken after 15 minutes and flip. Then set the air fryer to 400 degrees and air fry for 7 minutes.
- Step five: check for doneness and finish cooking. Use a meat thermometer to check the air fryer jerk chicken legs for doneness after 7 minutes. Insert it to the thickest part of the drumstick, and if it reads 165, they are ready. If not, cook until well done. I cooked these jerk chicken drumsticks for a total of 22 minutes. You may need to cook yours longer if they are bigger drumsticks.
- Step six: serve and enjoy. Allow jerk chicken drumsticks to cool, and then serve. You can serve this healthy air fryer jerk chicken drumstick with carbohydrates like rice, beans and plantains. Also, you can serve them with salads, or roasted vegetables. Feel free to remove the skin before eating if need be. However, I eat the skin, lolz. SEE INSIDE OF POST FOR STEP-BY-STEP PHOTOS & TIPS. Watch Video below to see how to make this recipe. ⬇️
Notes
If using the same jerk seasoning that I used, there is no need to add salt. Only add salt if using sodium-free jerk marinade.
Typically, only the jerk seasoning is enough to season the chicken; however, I enjoy great flavors. So, I added onion and garlic powder, plus a few other spices.
Be sure to use less jerk marinade if you are not used to spicy foods. This recipe packs up the heat!
Use kitchen hand gloves when combining the chicken with the spices unless you don’t mind the heat!
Monk fruit is a no-calorie sweetener; it adds a hint of sweetness to counter the heat. This is optional; feel free to skip it.
Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Feel free to add more time if you have giant chicken drumsticks. I typically cook jerk chicken drumsticks for a total 22 – 25 minutes. Even without using a meat thermometer they should be well done. Always fully cooked chicken.
Air fryer jerk chicken legs are perfect for meal prep.
If you do not have an air fryer, you can follow all the processes and bake them in the oven.
Ensure to have cold water when enjoying these air fryer jerk chicken drumsticks. They are really hot and spicy!
This is my Air Fryer; I love it so much!
SOME SIDES THAT GO WITH AIR FRIED JERK DRUMSTICKS:
MORE EASY + TASTY AIR FRYER RECIPES TO TRY:
- Tasty Broccoli with Balsamic Vinegar
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Best Steak Bites in Air Fryer
- Homemade Air Fried Popcorn Chicken from Scratch
- Air Fryer Soda Bread
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Slices
- Healthy Chicken Breast Fajitas
- Whole30 Beef Tips and Sweet Potatoes
- Air Fryer Potatoes, Sausage, Carrots and Broccoli.
- Shawarma Chicken Leg Quarters in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Swai Fish with Asparagus.
- Giant Cinnamon Roll in the Air Fryer.
Finally, let’s connect on social media, am on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. If you like video recipes, then be sure to head over to my YouTube Channel. Share this post, and SAVE/PIN THIS IMAGE ON PINTEREST! ⤵️
These air fryer jerk chicken drumsticks are hot, spicy, and seriously so good. Annnnnnd worth a try! Make sure to let me know when you try them!
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! Stay well, safe and keep living your life to the fullest!
My family adores chicken legs. So when we bought the air fryer this was the first recipe we cooked :lought: Amazing, tasty and easy to follow. Thank you!
Jerk chicken is the best!! The flavors are unmatched. Thanks for your feedback!😊
Such a great recipe! The flavors were spot on and making it in the air fryer is so easy!
Thank you, Angela!
Jerk chicken in air fryer sound nice idea.
I love how versatile this recipe is! It’s a perfect fit for my family! So delicious!
Thank you!😊
Love this air fryer version of chicken drumsticks. I will be trying this soon.
Thanks for stopping by, Kushigalu! I hope you enjoy the recipe.😊
I wanted Jerk Chicken but it’s toooo hot to light the grill, this is what we’re having for dinner tonight!!!
Woohoo!!! Hope you enjoy!😊