Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken

Three cooked hot honey chicken drumsticks in an air fryer basket.

These air fryer hot honey chicken legs are the ultimate combo of crispy, sticky, sweet, and spicy, without the hassle of deep frying. The drumsticks come out juicy with golden edges, and the hot honey glaze adds just the right kick. It’s fast, easy, and ridiculously good.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Total Time 25

Course Main Course

Servings drumsticks

Calories 161

Protein 15

Ingredients

1.1 kg chicken drumsticks - about 2.5 lbs
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2-1 teaspoon salt

For the hot honey sauce

4 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons hot sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Preheat the Air Fryer to 200°C/400°F, and set the time to 25 minutes, allowing it to heat for 5 minutes.
Strain the drumsticks in a strainer and pat them dry with a paper towel.
1.1 kg chicken drumsticks
Place the drumsticks in a mixing bowl along with the spices and mix them well together.
1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2-1 teaspoon salt
After the air fryer has heated for 5 minutes, place the drumsticks in the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, remove the air fryer basket from the air fryer and turn the drumsticks with tongs.
Close the basket and air fry for another 8 minutes.
In a small bowl, mix together the honey, hot sauce, and garlic powder.
4 tablespoons honey, 2 teaspoons hot sauce, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Open the air fryer basket and brush the hot honey sauce all over the chicken, turning it over to make sure the other side is covered.
Air fry for 2 more minutes.
Make sure the chicken is cooked through by checking it with a meat thermometer. It should read 75°C/165°F.
Let it rest for 5 minutes, then serve and enjoy!

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the basket: Give each drumstick space so the hot air can circulate—hello, crispy skin.

Use tongs, not fingers: That air fryer gets hot fast, and flipping with tongs keeps things safe and clean.

Adjust spice to taste: Go mild or wild with the hot sauce. It’s easy to scale the heat.

Double the sauce if you want extra: That hot honey glaze is magic. If you’re serving a crowd (or just love dipping), make a little more.

Make ahead: You can season the chicken and refrigerate it up to a day in advance. Cook and glaze when ready.

Storage instructions

Use an airtight container: Once cooled, store the chicken in an airtight container to keep it fresh.

Refrigerate: Pop it in the fridge within two hours—leftovers stay good for up to 3–4 days.

Reheat: For the best texture, reheat in the air fryer or oven at 180°C/356°F for a few minutes until warmed through.

Freeze: You can freeze the cooked chicken for up to 2 months—just defrost in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Nutritional Information