Print

Crispy Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken Drumsticks Recipe with Easy Blue Cheese Dip

crispy air fryer hot honey chicken drumsticks - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy recipe for crispy chicken drumsticks glazed with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce, served with a tangy blue cheese dip. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 chicken drumsticks, skin-on and bone-in
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Smoked paprika
  • Hot honey glaze:
  • – 1/4 cup honey (preferably runny wildflower honey)
  • – 2 tablespoons hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot recommended)
  • – 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • – 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Blue cheese dip:
  • – 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
  • – 1/4 cup sour cream
  • – 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • – 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • – Pinch of garlic powder
  • – Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • – Chives or parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin.
  2. Season the drumsticks generously with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika in a large bowl, tossing to coat evenly.
  3. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
  4. Arrange the drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, skin side down if possible, leaving space between pieces.
  5. Cook for 10 minutes, then flip the drumsticks using tongs and cook for another 10-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden and crisp.
  6. While the chicken cooks, whisk together honey, hot sauce, melted butter, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl to make the hot honey glaze. Adjust heat and sweetness to taste.
  7. Brush the hot honey glaze generously over each drumstick.
  8. Return the drumsticks to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes to set the glaze, watching closely to prevent burning.
  9. In a separate bowl, mix blue cheese crumbles, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine, leaving some texture. Add chopped chives or parsley if desired.
  10. Serve the hot glazed drumsticks with the blue cheese dip on the side. Garnish with extra herbs or a drizzle of hot honey if desired.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry before seasoning is essential for crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation. Flip the drumsticks halfway through cooking for even crispiness. Brush the hot honey glaze near the end of cooking to avoid burning. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Leftovers reheat well in the air fryer to maintain crispiness. For dairy-free dip, substitute sour cream with coconut yogurt and mayonnaise with vegan mayonnaise. Check hot sauce labels for gluten-free certification if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken, hot honey chicken, crispy chicken drumsticks, blue cheese dip, easy chicken recipe, spicy sweet chicken, quick dinner, snack recipe

Find it online: https://evabake.com/crispy-air-fryer-hot-honey-chicken-drumsticks-recipe-with-easy-blue-cheese-dip/