Description

Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Drumsticks offer the perfect balance of sweet and spicy with a crunchy coating and a sticky hot honey glaze. Ideal for weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings, this easy-to-make recipe delivers bold flavors and comforting texture in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

8 chicken drumsticks

Coating

1 cup all-purpose flour (or almond/rice flour for gluten-free)
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp cayenne pepper or chili flakes (adjust to taste)
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper

Cooking Fat

2 tbsp butter or oil (for frying or coating)

Hot Honey Glaze

½ cup hot honey
1 tbsp butter
1 tsp lemon juice (optional for brightness)

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Rinse and pat dry your chicken drumsticks using paper towels. Season them lightly with salt and black pepper to start building layers of flavor.
Create the Coating: In a large bowl, mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper evenly to form the dry coating mix.
Coat the Drumsticks: Dredge each drumstick one by one in the flour mixture, making sure every surface is thoroughly covered. Shake off any excess flour to avoid clumping.
Cook Until Crispy: Heat butter or oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the coated drumsticks and cook for 8-10 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Alternatively, bake at 425°F (220°C) for 30-35 minutes until crispy and fully cooked.
Prepare the Hot Honey Glaze: Gently warm hot honey with butter and optional lemon juice in a small saucepan until smooth and sticky.
Glaze and Serve: Toss the cooked drumsticks in the warm hot honey glaze until each piece is generously coated. Serve immediately while warm for best texture and flavor.

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly before coating for extra crispy skin.
Shake off excess flour to avoid soggy coating spots.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if needed for even crispiness.
Apply the hot honey glaze right before serving to keep the crust crispy and sticky.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 drumstick
Calories: 250
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 400mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 15g
Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: Hot honey chicken, crispy chicken drumsticks, sweet spicy chicken, easy chicken recipe, gluten free chicken, baked chicken drumsticks