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Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks

Chicken drumsticks marinated in yogurt and warming spices, then air-fried for a charred, aromatic crust that mimics a tandoor oven. Plan ahead: marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

45 minEasyServes 4380 cal/serving

IndianDinnerAir FryerHigh ProteinLow CarbGluten-FreeNut-FreePork-Free

Ingredients

  • 8 chicken drumsticks, skin-on, slashed
  • 1/2 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste (or equal parts minced fresh)
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp Kashmiri chili powder (or 1/2 sweet paprika + 1/2 cayenne)
  • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp neutral oil (vegetable or canola)
  • as needed cooking spray
  • 1 lemon, cut into wedges
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

Instructions

  1. 1

    Using a sharp knife, cut 2-3 deep slashes to the bone in each 8 skin-on, slashed chicken drumsticks. This allows the marinade to penetrate deeply.

  2. 2

    Whisk together 1/2 cup plain whole-milk yogurt, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste (or equal parts minced fresh), 1 tsp garam masala, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp Kashmiri chili powder (or 1/2 sweet paprika + 1/2 cayenne), 1/2 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 2 tbsp neutral oil (vegetable or canola) in a large bowl to make the marinade.

  3. 3

    Add the drumsticks to the marinade and toss, pushing marinade into the slashes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

  4. 4

    When ready to cook, preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Remove drumsticks from the marinade, letting the excess drip off. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.

  5. 5

    Arrange drumsticks in a single layer in the basket. Air fry at 400°F for 12 minutes, flip, then cook for another 10-13 minutes until the surface is charred in spots and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Work in batches if needed.

  6. 6

    Transfer to a serving platter. Serve with 1 cut into wedges lemon and garnish with 1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro.

Questions

Can I make Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 1/2 cup plain whole-milk yogurt. Swap the yogurt for an unsweetened coconut or soy yogurt. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks ahead?

Yes, it takes well to being made ahead. Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Re-crisp leftovers in the air fryer at 350 F for three to four minutes; the microwave softens the coating.

Can I halve or double Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, air-fry in batches; a crowded basket steams instead of crisping.

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