Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks

Name: Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Indian
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

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

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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Questions

What internal temperature should Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks reach?

For Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks, the air fryer is set to 400 F (about 205 C) in step 4. The longest stretch at that heat is 13 minutes, in step 5. Air fryers run hot or cool by model, so check two minutes early the first time. The target internal temperature is 400 F (about 205 C), given in step 5. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork. The target internal temperature is 165 F (about 75 C), given in step 5. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

How do I know when Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 5: cook until the surface is charred in spots and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). A reading of 400 F on a thermometer settles it.

Is there a substitute for Kashmiri chili in Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks?

The entry for Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks calls for 1 tsp Kashmiri chili powder (or 1/2 sweet paprika + 1/2 cayenne). In its place: Three parts sweet paprika to one part cayenne gives the color and the gentle heat.

Can I make Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks less spicy?

Yes. The heat in Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks comes from 1 tsp Kashmiri chili powder (or 1/2 sweet paprika + 1/2 cayenne). For a milder plate, halve the chili powder; nothing else in the method changes.

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

Yes. The dairy in Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks 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.

Is Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks keto-friendly?

A serving of Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks carries 12 g of carbohydrate. Against a strict 20 g keto day that is 60 percent of the budget; against a moderate 100 g low-carb day it is 12 percent.

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