Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks

Name: Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Mexican Inspiration
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 8 chicken drumsticks; 3 tablespoons avocado oil; 4 ounces tortilla chips ((crushed)); 3 tablespoons Mexican seasoning

December 17, 2019 *Updated* Aug 21, 2024 / By: Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy 150 Comments

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Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks will quickly become a family favourite. Love crispy skin chicken? This is for you.

Crushed tortilla chips and Mexican seasoning are the secret ingredients. This chicken drum recipe is sure to be a winner in your house.

A pile of the Crispy Drumsticks piled on a plate.

I love breaded chicken baked in the oven. Getting all the crispy goodness with oven-fried chicken instead of deep-frying is a winner for sure.

So much easier, not to mention healthier too.

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RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this crispy chicken recipe can be found at the bottom of this post.

This is a super easy chicken drumstick recipe. In my opinion, drumsticks are the best part.

These juicy tender chicken legs are coated, then baked! Did you know you can get extra-crispy results without using Panko breadcrumbs and buttermilk?

Once you try these you will be hooked. Biting through that crispy tortilla crusted, Mexican seasoned skin to the juicy meat underneath is a party in your mouth. Make lots, the family will be fighting for the last one. Our favourite oven-fried chicken hands down.

You Will Need:

All it takes is Mexican seasoning and tortilla chips to make the most delicious crispy chicken you have EVER tasted.

chicken drumsticks
avocado oil
tortilla chips
Mexican seasoning

The seasoning can be your own homemade blend, or store-bought (that’s what I used). Most often I make my own blends, EXCEPT when I can get my hands on some REALLY GOOD blends.

The blend I used in this drumstick recipe is called Mexican Kitchen Cartel, and it is made by The Spice Company. There are LOTS of great blends to choose from (and cool names to go along with them too).

Coated drumsticks on a baking tray ready to go into the oven.

Crumb Coating Chicken

The secret to making crispy baked chicken without frying is the crumb coating and leaving the skin on. YES, you can get a crispy crust with this recipe. If you love southern-fried, THIS is better!

Removing the skin still produces tasty results. If you are looking for that crunchy sound and crisp texture, it is all about the skin.

There are several options for the crumb coating. For this recipe, I used crushed tortilla chips. Panko breadcrumbs or crackers are great, and so are cornflakes.

Have you ever had cornflake chicken? I remember my mom making that when I was a kid. These oven-fried chicken drumsticks are even better!

Raw drumsticks on a plate, crushed tortilla chips in a bowl to coat the chicken.

How To Bake Chicken Drumsticks

Some baked chicken recipes use the “flour-egg-crumb method” to coat the chicken. My method is way easier, which means less mess and fewer dishes.

Wash the drumsticks and pat dry.
Place crushed tortilla chips in a large bowl.
Generously rub Mexican seasoning on each piece of chicken.
One at a time, take a drumstick and brush it with oil and generously coat it with the crushed tortilla chips.
Place on a baking sheet and cook until golden brown.

While this chicken bakes, the aroma will have you licking your lips in anticipation of the deliciousness that is only a few minutes away.

Close up of the drumsticks right out of the oven.

Recipe Tips

Be sure to a foil-lined *(affiliate) baking sheet coated with cooking spray. This will make cleanup a breeze.
For this recipe, I used regular tortilla chips. Feel free to try blue chips or lime flavoured chips. Doritos would work as well (you could skip the seasoning all together).
If you don’t have Mexican seasoning, *(affiliate) taco seasoning would work fine.

How long do you cook chicken drumsticks in the oven?

I baked these for 25 minutes at 400º F. The safe internal temperature of poultry is 165º F. I like to use an *(affiliate)instant-read thermometer to be sure.

Can you freeze baked chicken?

Yes, you certainly can. In fact, I love to have some leftovers for another meal. Chicken is best reheated from frozen. Do not cover while heating to ensure crispy results. I would heat it around 400º F until it reaches a safe internal temperature.

Close up of 2 drumsticks on a plate with some fries.

This crispy chicken recipe is so full of flavour, all it takes is some simple sides for the perfect weeknight dinner.

A simple cucumber salad is nice and refreshing. If it is the right time of year a snap pea salad would pair well too.
Looking for a few condiments? Pickled onions and zucchini pickles would be great.
You can never go wrong with crispy fries or baked beans to round out the meal.
Of course, onion rings are always a hit too.
Love pasta salad? This Greek couscous salad is always a hit.
If you love potatoes, these loaded sweet potatoes are so easy to make.

Crispy Baked Chicken Drumsticks are a favourite around here. Takeout doesn’t have a chance in our house. Easy to make, delicious to eat, and I guarantee your family won’t complain if you have leftovers either.

Loving the idea of oven-fried recipes? Here are a few more to try.