Easy Baked Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks – Game Day Favorite
These Easy Baked Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks are packed with bold, spicy flavor and come out perfectly juicy every time. They’re oven-baked for a crispy outside without the mess of frying. Serve them with blue cheese dip and a side of creamy broccoli salad for the ultimate game day meal.
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 193kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 Chicken Drumsticks (large family pack 10-12 legs)
- Avocado Oil (or olive oil)
- Salt (to taste)(be careful not to over-salt because the buffalo sauce is salty)
Chicken Drumstick Rub: (combine)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Thyme
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
Buffalo Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 stick Unsalted Butter (melted)
- 1 cup Hot Sauce (my fav Franks Red Hot)
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and place a wire rack on top if you have one—this helps the chicken crisp up.
- Prep the chicken: Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels—this helps the skin get crispy. Place them in a large mixing bowl or on a tray.
- Add oil and salt: Drizzle the drumsticks lightly with avocado oil (or olive oil) and sprinkle with salt to taste. Be careful not to over-salt, since the buffalo sauce will add more saltiness later.
- Mix the rub: In a small bowl, combine the dry rub ingredients — 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper. Sprinkle the dry rub evenly over the drumsticks and rub it in well on all sides.
- Bake the drumsticks: Arrange the drumsticks on the prepared baking rack or sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 40–45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the skin is crisp and the chicken reaches 165°F inside.
- Make the buffalo sauce: While the chicken is baking, melt 1 stick of unsalted butter in a saucepan over low heat. Stir in 1 cup of hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot) and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Whisk until smooth and warmed through.
- Toss in buffalo sauce: When the drumsticks are done, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the warm buffalo sauce over the chicken and toss until evenly coated. Pro-Tip: Wait for the sauce to cool down before tossing other wise the sauce will slide right off.
- Serve hot: Plate with blue cheese or ranch dressing and your favorite sides like creamy broccoli salad or celery sticks.
Nutrition
Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 609mg | Potassium: 212mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 393IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg