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Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 425 °F (220 °C), with rack in center. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment for easier cleanup. Craving Home Cooked+1
Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels — removing excess moisture helps skin crisp up. Craving Home Cooked+1 -
Oil and Season
Drizzle olive oil over the drumsticks and rub to coat evenly.
In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper — and optional chili or cumin if using. -
Coat Drumsticks
Sprinkle the seasoning‑sugar mix over the drumsticks, pressing gently so the mix adheres well to the skin. Make sure each piece is evenly coated. -
Arrange on Baking Sheet
Place drumsticks on the prepared sheet pan in a single layer — space them so that air can circulate around each piece (crowding leads to soggy skin). Don’t Go Bacon My Heart+1 -
Bake — Part One
Bake for 30 minutes. This cooks through the drumsticks and starts caramelizing the brown sugar. Craving Home Cooked+1 -
Flip & Finish Baking
Use tongs to flip each drumstick, then bake another 10–15 minutes (or until internal temperature reaches 165 °F / 75 °C and skin is nicely browned and a bit crispy). Don’t Go Bacon My Heart+1
Tip: For even crispier skin, consider placing drumsticks on a rack over the baking sheet instead of directly on the sheet — this lets heat circulate and excess fat drip away. Don’t Go Bacon My Heart+1 -
Rest & Serve
Let the drumsticks rest 5–10 minutes before serving. That helps juices redistribute and keeps meat moist.
Serve warm — with sides like roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, rice, salad, or corn.
Pro Tips for the Best Results
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Pat the chicken dry — essential for crispy skin. Moisture = steam = soggy skin. Craving Home Cooked+1
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Don’t skip spacing or a rack — crowding causes steam and less crunch; using a rack helps skin crisp evenly. recipetineats.com+1
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Watch sugar caramelization — brown sugar helps create a sticky‑sweet crust, but if your oven runs hot, the sugar can burn. If crust darkens too quickly, you can tent loosely with foil for last few minutes to protect it.
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Check doneness with a thermometer — chicken is safe at 165 °F, but drumsticks often taste better when cooked to 175–185 °F because the dark meat becomes more tender and juices render. Craving Tasty+1
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Customize seasoning — you can add chili powder for some heat, smoked paprika for smoky depth, or even a dash of cayenne for spicy-sweet contrast.
️ What to Serve With It
These drumsticks are flexible:
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Roasted veggies — carrots, broccoli, Brussels sprouts
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Starches — mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, rice, quinoa
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Salads / Slaws — crisp coleslaw, cucumber‑tomato salad, green salad with vinaigrette
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Sauces for dipping — ranch, honey‑mustard, spicy mayo, BBQ sauce, or even a quick lime‑yogurt dip
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Side breads — garlic bread, dinner rolls, or flatbreads to soak up any sauce
Storage & Leftovers
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Fridge: Store cooled drumsticks in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in oven at 350 °F until warmed through to help keep skin as crisp as possible.
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Freezer: You can freeze — freeze on a tray until firm, then transfer to freezer bag. Reheat from frozen in oven, though skin crispiness may reduce slightly.
Final Thoughts
“Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Brown Sugar” is one of those recipes that feels simple but delivers big: sweet, smoky, crispy, tender — all in one. It’s easy enough for a weekday dinner, but tasty enough to impress family or guests.
