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.
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
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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.
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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.
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3
Add the drumsticks to the marinade and toss, pushing marinade into the slashes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
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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.
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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.
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6
Transfer to a serving platter. Serve with 1 cut into wedges lemon and garnish with 1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro.