These buffalo drumsticks are baked in the oven and coated in a delicious sauce made from melted butter and hot pepper sauce. Ready in about 50 minutes and with a prep time of just 10 minutes, this is a great recipe for weeknight dinners since the oven does most of the work!
My family loves this buffalo wings recipe, and I make it often. We also adore these buffalo chicken lettuce wraps, made with shredded cooked chicken breast. But the first time I made this recipe, I had chicken drumsticks in the fridge, so I decided to use them and make buffalo drumsticks. We all loved the result so much that I now make this recipe regularly.
Ingredients
Here's a look at the ingredients needed to make this recipe. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below.
- Drumsticks: I use three pounds of chicken drumsticks in this recipe, which typically equals 10-12 pieces.
- Olive oil spray: You can use avocado oil if you prefer an oil with a higher smoke point.
- To season: Kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. I prefer garlic powder to minced fresh garlic because it better coats the chicken.
- For the sauce: Melted unsalted butter and hot pepper sauce.
Variations
The best way to vary this recipe is with the seasonings you use. You can add a generous pinch of dried thyme to the chicken. You can also add a pinch of garlic and smoked paprika to the buffalo sauce.
Instructions
Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here's an overview of the steps for making this recipe:
Coat the chicken pieces in oil and season them. Bake them in a hot (400°F) oven until they are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. At this point, we're essentially making baked chicken drumsticks.
While the chicken is baking, quickly mix the buffalo sauce. When the drumsticks are fully baked, coat them in the sauce and serve.
Expert Tip
It's a good idea to make the sauce in advance while the chicken is cooking. This allows it to slightly thicken, which helps it better adhere to the chicken. If you make the sauce at the last minute, it is thinner and tends to slide off the drumsticks.
Recipe FAQs
This simple sauce is made from melted butter and hot pepper sauce. Sometimes, I add garlic powder and smoked paprika. But the basic ingredients are just butter and hot sauce.
I like to leave the skin on since it's so flavorful, but you can remove it if you wish. I tried both options, and both were very good, although personally, I prefer the one with the skin on.
Yes. Depending on their size, they'll likely need just 30 minutes in the oven, so check with an instant-read thermometer after 30 minutes and see if they're ready. Their internal temperature should reach 165°F.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve these buffalo drumsticks, as shown in the photo below, the same way you would serve buffalo wings, with celery sticks and a dipping sauce - either ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing.
I usually serve two drumsticks per person for dinner. There's no need for other sides, although you can add more raw veggies for dipping, and you can also serve these drumsticks with homemade coleslaw or a simple side dish like steamed broccoli or sauteed spinach.
Alternatively, take advantage of the 400°F oven and serve the drumsticks with sides that can be cooked in the same oven, like roasted mini peppers or roasted carrots.
Storing Leftovers
You can keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To avoid overcooked leftovers, reheat them covered in the microwave at 50% power or enjoy them cold.
More Buffalo Sauce Recipes
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Recipe Card
Easy Buffalo Drumsticks Recipe
Video
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 10 chicken drumsticks - medium size, about 3 pounds
- Olive oil spray
- ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt - or ¼ teaspoon of any other salt, including Morton kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Buffalo sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter - melted
- 4 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with high-heat-resistant parchment paper (or foil).
- Arrange the drumsticks on the prepared pan. Spray them with olive oil and sprinkle them with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Lightly spray them again.
- Bake the chicken until golden brown and cooked through (its internal temperature should reach 165ºF), about 40 minutes.
- 10 minutes before the chicken is done, in a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and hot pepper sauce. Set aside until the chicken is done.
- Toss the cooked chicken pieces in the buffalo sauce until well coated. Serve immediately.
Notes
- It's a good idea to make the sauce in advance while the chicken is cooking. This allows it to slightly thicken, which helps it better adhere to the chicken. If you make the sauce at the last minute, it is thinner and tends to slide off the drumsticks.
- You can keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To avoid overcooked leftovers, reheat them covered in the microwave at 50% power or enjoy them cold.
Nutrition per Serving
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Most recipes are low-carb and gluten-free, but some are not. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate. Please verify it independently. The carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Please read these Terms of Use before using any of my recipes.
Cindy says
These were great! Loved the flavor and they were so easy to make. Thank you!
Vered DeLeeuw says
You're welcome, Cindy! Glad you liked it.
Janis says
This is definitely a quick recipe and pretty simple. Probably next time what I would do is Pat dry them and then coat them in some baking powder to get them a little more crispy.
Kaycee says
First, I want to start by saying I do not like hot sauce BUT this was the best baked chicken recipe I’ve made! My husband agrees! He loves hot sauce and always gets sets of it for Christmas and he just keeps using the same old Louisiana hot sauce so I finally have a way to use up his gifts! I used my regular seasoning of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and paprika and did one batch with chipotle hot sauce and one with jalapeño hot sauce. I still can’t believe I love something covered in something I don’t like but I highly recommend!
Vered DeLeeuw says
Yay! I'm so glad this was such a big success, Kaycee! Thank you for taking the time to write a detailed comment. I appreciate it.
JAX says
Add 1 1/2 - 2 tablespoons of some vinegar to the sauce. It gives it a nice Zing. I use Franks Hot sauce. Marzetti's Blue Cheese Dressing with Wings is amazing.
Vered DeLeeuw says
Thanks for these suggestions!