Air Fryer Tandoori Drumsticks
Charred, yogurt-marinated drumsticks that eat like tandoor food.
Kit that makes this foolproof
A few inexpensive bits that get you crispier results with less mess.
A roomy air fryer
A larger basket means fewer batches and crispier results.
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Perforated liners
Less sticking and mess, without blocking the airflow.
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Silicone tongs
Turn and lift without scratching the non-stick basket.
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Before You Start
A tandoor is a clay oven running brutally hot, and the air fryer is the closest thing most kitchens have. The yogurt marinade chars into exactly the right blistered patches. Slash the drumsticks to the bone so the marinade gets in, and give it at least an hour, though overnight is where this recipe lives.
Instructions
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1
Cut two or three deep slashes into the meaty side of each drumstick, right to the bone.
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2
Whisk the yogurt with every spice, the garlic, lemon juice, salt and oil. Massage it into the drumsticks and into the slashes. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour, ideally overnight.
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3
Preheat the air fryer to 190°C / 375°F for 3 minutes. Shake the excess marinade off each drumstick. A thick wet coat steams instead of charring.
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4
Arrange in a single layer, meaty side up, and air fry for 12 minutes.
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5
Turn and cook another 8 to 10 minutes, until blistered and dark in patches and the meat by the bone reads 74°C / 165°F.
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6
Rest 5 minutes and serve with lemon wedges, sliced onion and mint yogurt.
♨️ Air fryer notes
- Cook at 190°C / 375°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
💡 Cook's tips
- The dark, almost burnt patches are the tandoori part. If yours come out uniformly pale, the marinade was too thick on the chicken or the basket too full.
- Kashmiri chilli powder instead of paprika is the authentic move, giving colour and mild heat.
🔀 Make it your own
- The same marinade works on thighs, wings, or paneer cubes for a vegetarian plate.
- Add ½ teaspoon of cayenne for heat closer to restaurant tandoori.
📦 Storing & reheating
Fridge for 3 days. Reheat at 190°C for 5 minutes. The raw marinated drumsticks freeze well for 2 months and can thaw overnight into a ready dinner.
❓ Frequently asked
How long do drumsticks take in an air fryer?
20 to 22 minutes at 190°C / 375°F, turned once, to 74°C / 165°F at the bone. Big drumsticks can need a couple more minutes.
Why slash chicken before tandoori marinating?
The cuts let the yogurt and spice reach the interior and help the drumstick cook evenly. Without them the flavour stays on the surface.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
