# Chicken drumsticks and legs cooking times

How long to cook chicken drumsticks: **35–45 min in the oven at 200°C (180°C fan), 20–25 min in an air fryer at 200°C, 30–40 min on the barbecue and 20–25 min under the grill**. Every way to cook it is below, with the temperature and how to tell it’s done.

Source: https://feastflow.co.uk/chicken-drumsticks-cooking-times (FeastFlow free cooking-time guides). Last checked 11 November 2026.

## How long to cook chicken drumsticks

Times are for 8 drumsticks or 4 whole legs, for 4.

Chicken drumsticks and legs: cooking times by method:

| Method | Time | Heat | How |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Oven](https://feastflow.co.uk/oven-cooking-times) | 35–45 min | 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6 | Turn halfway. Whole legs take 40–50 minutes. |
| [Air fryer](https://feastflow.co.uk/air-fryer-cooking-times) | 20–25 min | 200°C (400°F) | Turn halfway. Whole legs take 25–30 minutes at 190°C. |
| [Barbecue](https://feastflow.co.uk/bbq-cooking-times) | 30–40 min | over medium heat, lid down | Turn every 5 minutes; mostly over indirect heat so they don’t burn. |
| [Grill](https://feastflow.co.uk/grilling-times) | 20–25 min | under a medium grill | Turn every 5 minutes. |
| [Deep-fry](https://feastflow.co.uk/deep-frying-times) (Fried chicken) | 12–15 min | oil at 160°C (325°F) | Floured or battered; the oil is cooler so the middle cooks. |
| [Slow cooker](https://feastflow.co.uk/slow-cooker-cooking-times) | 4–6 hours | on low | In a sauce. 3–4 hours on high. |
| [Pressure cooker](https://feastflow.co.uk/pressure-cooker-cooking-times) | 12–15 min | on high pressure | With 250 ml liquid; natural release. |

Also see: [Chicken cooking time](https://feastflow.co.uk/roast-chicken-cooking-time) (whole chicken and chicken pieces).

## Before you start

Slash the meat a couple of times to the bone so heat (and marinade) gets in.

## How to tell it’s done

Juices run clear and the meat comes away from the bone.

**Food safety:** Cook until it reaches 74°C (165°F) in the thickest part, with no pink meat and clear juices.

## Questions

### How long to cook chicken drumsticks in the oven?

35–45 min at 200°C (180°C fan), 400°F, gas 6. Turn halfway. Whole legs take 40–50 minutes.

### How long to cook chicken drumsticks in an air fryer?

20–25 min at 200°C (400°F). Turn halfway. Whole legs take 25–30 minutes at 190°C.

### How long to barbecue chicken drumsticks?

30–40 min over medium heat, lid down. Turn every 5 minutes; mostly over indirect heat so they don’t burn.

### How long to grill chicken drumsticks?

20–25 min under a medium grill. Turn every 5 minutes.

### How long to deep-fry chicken drumsticks?

Fried chicken: 12–15 min in oil at 160°C (325°F). Floured or battered; the oil is cooler so the middle cooks.

### How long to cook chicken drumsticks in a slow cooker?

4–6 hours on low. In a sauce. 3–4 hours on high.

### How long to cook chicken drumsticks in a pressure cooker?

12–15 min on high pressure. With 250 ml liquid; natural release.

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Times are a guide for typical home portions: ovens, air fryers, microwaves and sizes vary. Check meat, poultry and fish with a thermometer. Safe temperatures follow USDA and UK Food Standards Agency guidance.

FeastFlow also plans a whole meal backwards from serving time, with every dish timed and oven temperatures that don’t clash: https://feastflow.co.uk/