Hot Honey Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
These hot honey drumsticks are sticky-sweet, peppery-spicy, and oven-baked with no fuss. It’s a good recipe for weeknights - simple, bold, and full of flavor.
Ingredients
- 10 chicken drumsticks - about 2.5 lbs/1.1kg
- 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 oven to 200°C/400°F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Strain the drumsticks in a strainer and pat them dry with a paper towel.10 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
- Place the drumsticks on the baking tray and bake for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, turn the drumsticks with tongs.
- Return to the oven and bake for another 10 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
- Brush the hot honey sauce all over the chicken, turning it over to make sure the other side is covered.
- Bake 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
- Dry is key: Pat the drumsticks dry before seasoning to help the skin crisp in the oven.
- Spacing matters: Give each piece a little room on the baking sheet so they roast, not steam.
- Brush, then bake: Add the glaze just before the final minutes so the honey doesn't burn.
- Thermometer check: A quick check at the thickest part makes sure they’re cooked through.
- Rest time counts: Let them sit for 5 minutes before serving - this keeps the juices in the meat, not on the plate.
Storage instructions
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm in the oven at 180°C/350°F until heated through - about 10-12 minutes.
- Freezer: Freeze cooled drumsticks in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
- Best texture: Reheat in the oven or air fryer to bring back the crispy edges.
Nutritional Information
Serving: 1drumstick | Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 241mg | Potassium: 203mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 96IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg