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How Long To Bake Chicken Drumsticks At 400 In Three Fun And Fast Ways?

The drumstick is one part of the entire chicken leg. The other part of the leg is the thigh. The drumstick is the lower part of the leg – the calf.

The thigh is the upper part of the leg, and there is a joint which connects the two parts.

In grocery stores, whole chicken legs, thighs, and drumsticks are all sold separately, so you can decide which cut you want. The whole leg, as the larger cut, gives you more chicken.

Drumsticks are packaged bone-in, and skin-on. Compared to the thigh portion of the leg, the drumstick has less meat.

The chicken leg is dark meat while the breast is light meat. The chicken breast, especially the boneless, skinless option, is the more highly valued cut of the chicken, and therefore is the more expensive. 

Many people prefer the chicken breast to the leg because there is a lot of meat on the breast, and when it is purchased boneless and skinless, it is perceived as healthier than the leg portion of the chicken. 

In addition, white meat has fewer calories than dark meat.

Nutritionists sing the praises of the white breast meat, and there is no arguing that a boneless, skinless chicken breast is easy to prepare and to eat  – no bones to deal with, and no greasy skin to drive up those calories!

how long to bake chicken drumsticks at 400

So, what are the good things about chicken legs, and specifically, of drumsticks?

Number one is price. Compare the price of a package of drumsticks with the price of a package of chicken breasts – both bone-in, skin-on and boneless, skinless – and you will find that the drumsticks are significantly cheaper.

This makes drumsticks a wise purchase in times of rising food costs.

Number two is the taste. Drumsticks are very tasty. The dark meat of the chicken tends to be juicier than the white meat, and while it’s easy to overbake a boneless, skinless chicken breast, the chicken drumstick is not as fussy to cook.

In addition, the skin on the drumstick seals in juices.

Number three is fun. Drumsticks are right up there with wings for great party food. If you have a group of people over to watch a sporting event, or you’re hosting a children’s birthday party, drumsticks are a terrific option. 

Drumsticks come with their own ‘handle’, making them easy for children to grab onto, and they’re less messy to eat than wings.

Read on to see recipes for drumsticks three ways: an easy and quick standard drumstick recipe; a recipe for kid-friendly drumsticks, and an adult hot and spicy drumstick recipe.

What are you waiting for? Let the drumstick fun begin!

RELATED: How To Defrost Chicken Breast In Microwave?

How Long To Bake Chicken Drumsticks At 400 With BBQ Sauce?

This recipe for drumsticks in the oven really couldn’t be simpler. The preparation consists of only two steps!

If you’re in a hurry to get dinner on the table before running your children to their evening activities, this recipe for drumsticks with BBQ sauce is not only doable, but it tastes really good! Psst, it’s a good source of protein, but don’t tell your kids.

There are many delicious BBQ sauces on the market. Choose one made especially for chicken and ribs, or maybe honey garlic – whatever your family likes!

When you place the drumsticks on the baking sheet, make sure they are not touching each other. This will allow each drumstick to bake thoroughly, and you will get an even bake across all of the drumsticks.

To make clean-up super fast, line the baking sheet with parchment paper before placing the chicken drumsticks on it.

After baking, simply gather up the parchment paper and dispose of it. A quick wipe with a wet, soapy cloth and your baking sheet will be clean! The parchment paper will also eliminate any sticking.

How Long To Bake Chicken Drumsticks At 400 With BBQ Sauce?

How Long To Bake Chicken Drumsticks At 400: Kid-Friendly Recipe?

Children love chicken drumsticks. They are attracted to them because they look yummy, but they are also easy for little hands to grab and hold onto. They’re great finger food!

You’ll bake these for 30 minutes, then brush on the glaze and bake for another 10 minutes.

This kid-friendly version of chicken drumsticks uses flavors that kids love like orange juice and honey. 

Make lots and have some left over for another meal.

Invite your children to help you pour ingredients into the bowl and whisk them together.

Children enjoy helping in the kitchen, and it will develop confidence in their cooking skills at a young age, making them more likely to feel comfortable in the kitchen as adults.

Be prepared for messy faces and hands. Have a wet washcloth at the ready, or fill finger bowls with a slice of lemon for each person at the table. Set a napkin at each place setting as well.

French fries and a tossed salad or celery and carrot sticks with dip round out the meal.

RELATED: Thawing Chicken Safely in a Microwave

How Long To Bake Chicken Drumsticks At 400 For An Adult Party?

When you are entertaining adults, take the flavor up a notch, and the heat. Buffalo wings are a popular dish and this recipe is a version of the Buffalo wings except with chicken drumsticks.

There is quite a bit of heat in the sauce for these drumsticks. Feel free to adjust to your liking, and of course the preference of your guests.

Featuring hot sauce and hot pepper flakes, here is my recipe for Buffalo drumsticks baked in a 400 F oven.

The addition of a little brown sugar causes the drumsticks to brown nicely.

If you feel the sauce may be too hot, it is easy to adjust some of the ingredients. For example, you may use a milder mustard, and you could leave the hot pepper flakes off.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients to get the spice and flavor that you want.

how long to bake chicken drumsticks at 400 for an Adult Party

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Safely Dispose Of The Bones?

I always keep a bag in my freezer which I use for bits of meat and bones when I’m scraping off plates. I keep these bits frozen until the weekly compost bin collection when I put the meat into the larger compost bin.

This keeps your kitchen garbage from getting smelly.

How Do I Store Leftover Drumsticks?

Leftovers may be safely kept in a refrigerator for 3-5 days by placing them in an airtight container.

When you are ready to eat them, heat them up in the microwave in a microwave-safe container for 1-2 minutes, depending on the number of drumsticks you are heating.

Leftover drumsticks may also be reheated in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350, place the drumsticks on a baking sheet, and heat in the oven for about 10 minutes.

Can I Bake Chicken Drumsticks From Frozen?

Absolutely, yes. Add 10 minutes to the recommended time given in the recipe you are using.

Can I Cook Drumsticks In An Air Fryer?

Yes, the air fryer is a great alternative to cooking drumsticks in the oven. Use your favorite coating, and cook them at the same temperature that you would set your conventional oven to, 400 F. 

Make sure you don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket or the meat will not cook properly. If necessary, cook the drumsticks in batches.

Can I Buy Chicken Legs And Then Separate The Drumstick And Thigh Myself?

Buying chicken legs and then cutting the leg into the thigh and drumstick portions is an excellent way to take advantage of a sale price if the legs are a feature that week. 

You will need a sharp knife and cutting board. The cut is very simple and it will not take long to do several legs.

Do this when you first bring the chicken home from the grocery store instead of waiting until you want to cook the drumsticks. It just makes it way easier when you are usually under a time constraint, trying to get dinner on the table.

What Can I Do To Make Sure I Guard Against Salmonella When I Am Cooking Chicken?

There are two things you need to do. Follow these two steps and you will keep you, your family, and your guests healthy.

  1. Wash everything you used when preparing the chicken with hot, soapy water. Be sure to do this when you have finished with the chicken, and before you start working on the next food item.
  2. It’s important that chicken be cooked to a safe temperature – 165 F. The easiest and most sure-fire way of knowing your chicken has reached a safe temperature is to insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. 

If you do not have a meat thermometer, cut into the thickest part of a piece of chicken, and look at the color of the juices that run out.

If the juices are at all pink, the chicken is not done, and needs to be cooked longer. Check frequently during the last few minutes of baking to ensure you do not overcook the chicken which will make it dry.

How Long To Bake Chicken Drumsticks At 400 With BBQ Sauce?

How Long To Bake Chicken Drumsticks At 400 With BBQ Sauce?

Active Time: 6 minutes
Additional Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 46 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Drumsticks are placed on a baking sheet, and brushed with ready-made BBQ sauce of choice. The drumsticks are baked in a 400 F oven for 40 minutes.

Materials

  • Drumsticks
  • Bottled BBQ sauce - your favorite

Tools

  • Baking sheet
  • Basting brush
  • Tongs

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
  2. Place drumsticks on a baking sheet.
  3. Brush the drumsticks with a BBQ sauce of your choice.
  4. Place the drumsticks in the oven and bake for 40 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 165.
How Long to Bake Chicken Drumsticks at 400: Kid-Friendly Recipe?

How Long To Bake Chicken Drumsticks At 400: Kid-Friendly Recipe?

Active Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Chicken drumsticks are salted and peppered, then baked in a 400 F oven for 30 minutes. A honey, orange glaze is then brushed on the drumsticks and they are baked for an additional 10 minutes.

Materials

  • Chicken drumsticks
  • Salt and pepper
  • Thawed frozen orange juice concentrate
  • Honey
  • Soy sauce
  • Ground ginger
  • 1 clove garlic, minced

Tools

  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Medium-sized mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Tongs
  • Basting brush

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Place the drumsticks onto the baking sheet, keeping space between each.
  4. Bake for 30 minutes.
  5. While the drumsticks are baking, prepare the glaze.
  6. Into a medium-sized mixing bowl, pour the orange juice concentrate, honey, soy sauce, ground ginger and minced garlic.
  7. Whisk all of the ingredients until they are well-blended.
  8. When the 30 minutes are up, remove the baking sheet from the oven and, with a basting brush, spread the glaze over the drumsticks.
  9. Return the drumsticks to the oven for 10 minutes.
  10. Remove from the oven and serve.
How Long To Bake Chicken Drumsticks At 400 For An Adult Party?

How Long To Bake Chicken Drumsticks At 400 For An Adult Party?

Active Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Chicken drumsticks are sprinkled with salt and pepper and baked for 30 minutes in a 400 F oven. Then a hot sauce is brushed on the drumsticks and they are baked for an additional 10 minutes.

Materials

  • Chicken drumsticks
  • Salt and pepper
  • Hot sauce
  • Paprika
  • Chili powder
  • Brown sugar
  • Spicy brown mustard
  • Hot pepper flakes

Tools

  • Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Basting brush
  • Tongs

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Place the drumsticks on the baking sheet and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  4. Put the drumsticks in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, in a small mixing bowl whisk together, hot pepper sauce, brown sugar, spicy brown mustard, and chili powder.
  6. When the 30 minutes are up, remove the baking sheet from the oven, and brush the drumsticks with the sauce.
  7. Return the drumsticks to the oven for an additional 10 minutes.
  8. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, and sprinkle the drumsticks with hot pepper flakes, if desired.
  9. Remove from the baking sheet and serve.
Jess Smith
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Saturday 20th of May 2023

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