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These garlic parmesan drumsticks bake until the skin is crisp, then get tossed with melted butter, fresh garlic, parmesan and a pinch of red pepper flakes. I like that the garlic parmesan mixture goes on at the end, so you get all that buttery garlic flavor without softening the skin while it bakes. Using a wire rack also makes a real difference because the drumsticks aren’t sitting in their juices. A couple of readers have mentioned making these more than once, which is always a good sign with a dinner like this.
Why You’ll Love It
Crispy skin, juicy chicken and plenty of buttery garlic parmesan flavor make these drumsticks an easy dinner with very little prep.
Crispy skin: Baking the drumsticks on a wire rack allows the heat to circulate around them instead of letting the bottoms sit in the pan juices.
Garlic parmesan butter: Fresh garlic, parmesan, melted butter and red pepper flakes are tossed with the chicken after baking, so the coating doesn’t interfere with the skin crisping in the oven.
Very little prep: Season the chicken, get it into the oven and mix the garlic parmesan butter while it cooks.
Readers make them again: More than one reader has come back to say these drumsticks have become a repeat recipe in their house.
Other sheet pan recipes you might like to try include honey garlic pork chops, eggs benedict, and this delicious turkey breast dinner.
Garlic Parmesan Drumsticks Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below
Chicken drumsticks: Use skin-on, bone-in drumsticks so the skin can crisp as the chicken bakes.
Garlic: Garlic powder seasons the chicken before baking, while fresh minced garlic goes into the parmesan butter.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated parmesan mixes more easily into the warm butter and gives you better texture than the pre-shredded kind.
Butter: Melted butter forms the base of the garlic parmesan coating that’s added after the chicken is baked.
Red pepper flakes: Just a pinch adds a little heat. Add more, use less or leave them out depending on your preference.
Parsley: Add it at the end for some fresh flavor and color.
How to Make Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card
Season the drumsticks: Pat the chicken very dry, then toss it with olive oil, garlic powder, salt and black pepper.
Bake the chicken: Arrange the drumsticks on a wire rack set over a rimmed sheet pan, leaving space between them. Bake at 425 degrees F for 35 to 40 minutes, or until they reach at least 165 degrees F in the thickest part without touching the bone.
Make the garlic parmesan butter: Stir together the melted butter, fresh garlic, parmesan and red pepper flakes while the chicken cooks.
Coat and serve: Toss the hot drumsticks with the garlic parmesan butter, sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve right away.
Substitutions and Variations
Make them spicier: Add more red pepper flakes or a little hot sauce to the garlic parmesan butter.
Use chicken thighs: Skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs can work here too. Cooking time will vary, so use a meat thermometer to check them.
Change the herbs: Fresh basil can replace the parsley if that’s what you have.
Add some lemon: A little fresh lemon zest over the finished drumsticks would work well with the garlic and parmesan.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: Good appetizers to enjoy before the oven-baked chicken drumsticks include marinated olives with feta and burrata-stuffed tomatoes.
Side dishes: Mashed red potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, green beans, mac and cheese, and smoked asparagus are just a few ideas for tasty sides.
How to Store
Store: Keep leftover drumsticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Freeze cooled drumsticks in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Reheat in the oven or air fryer until hot throughout. Either will do a better job of bringing back some of the crispness than the microwave.
Top Tips
Dry the chicken well: Pat the drumsticks really well before adding the oil and seasonings. The drier the skin is going into the oven, the better it will crisp.
Use the wire rack: This is one step I wouldn’t skip. Keeping the drumsticks raised above the pan lets the heat circulate underneath and stops them from sitting in their juices.
Give them some room: Leave space between each drumstick so they roast rather than steam. Use a second pan if you need to.
Use freshly grated parmesan: It mixes much better with the warm butter than pre-shredded parmesan and coats the chicken more evenly.
Add the garlic parmesan butter at the end: Toss the drumsticks while they’re still hot from the oven so the butter, garlic and parmesan cling to the chicken without interfering with the crispy skin.
Garlic Parmesan Drumsticks FAQs
Yes, although skin-on drumsticks work better for this recipe because the skin gets crisp on the wire rack. Skinless drumsticks will still work, but you won’t get the same crispy exterior.
No, but it does help the drumsticks cook more evenly and keeps the bottoms from sitting in the rendered juices. If you don’t have one, bake them directly on a lined sheet pan and turn them partway through cooking.
Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Garlic Parmesan Drumsticks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 chicken drumsticks, skin-on and bone-in
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ Teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ Teaspoon black pepper
- 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ Cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 Cloves garlic, minced
- ½ Cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 Pinch red pepper flakes
- parsley, freshly chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Place a wire rack on top of a large sheet pan.
- Remove drumsticks from their package and gently pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Add the drumsticks to a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Toss until the drumsticks are coated.
- Place drumsticks on the sheet pan, ensuring they are not touching.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a digital thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a drumstick without touching the bone reads at least 165 degrees F.
- While the drumsticks are baking, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes in a bowl.
- When the drumsticks are done baking, remove them from the oven and toss with the garlic parmesan butter until evenly coated.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Use the wire rack: This is one step I wouldn’t skip. Keeping the drumsticks raised above the pan lets the heat circulate underneath and stops them from sitting in their juices.
Give them some room: Leave space between each drumstick so they roast rather than steam. Use a second pan if you need to.
Use freshly grated parmesan: It mixes much better with the warm butter than pre-shredded parmesan and coats the chicken more evenly.
Add the garlic parmesan butter at the end: Toss the drumsticks while they’re still hot from the oven so the butter, garlic and parmesan cling to the chicken without interfering with the crispy skin.
Nutrition
These garlic parmesan drumsticks get a lot of flavor from a pretty short ingredient list. Baking them on a rack first gives the skin time to crisp before the garlic parmesan butter goes on, and that’s the part of the method I wouldn’t skip. A few readers have told me they’ve made this recipe more than once, which is always good to hear.
Other Recipes to Try
- This Sheet Pan Ham Dinner is another cozy and easy meal idea.
- Pair this Air Fryer Whiskey, Sausage, and Cranberry Stuffing with your chicken.
- Sheet Pan Crab Legs are easier to make than you might expect!
- I bet you’ll love Mushroom Kale Turkey Soup – turkey isn’t just for the holidays!
- And these Easy Sheet Pan Buttermilk Pancakes are great for breakfast.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
Crispy, garlicky, and packed with flavor! My new go-to dinner!
These garlic parmesan drumsticks were a hit! So flavorful and easy to clean up!
This is one of my go-to recipes of yours. Thank you!! 🙂
My family is hooked on this recipe! We’ve made it a few times now.
I gave this recipe a shot and I’m really impressed! It was so delicious and my family loves it too! Love this recipe!
I haven’t had chicken drumsticks this way, but this has to be my new favorite!