Crispy Baked "Fried" Chicken Drumsticks

 

This easily tops the list of favorite new creations. When I saw that Trader Joe's had packages of 6 drumsticks on sale for $2.40, I grabbed them and set out to create an easy, healthy and cheap meal. We couldn't believe how much these drumsticks tasted like real fried chicken (minus the grease!) and how flavorful and crispy they were. Served with a simple side of asparagus, this was a very satisfying meal. I will definitely make these again!

Crispy Baked "Fried"Chicken Drumsticks
Recipe adapted from Cat Cora and my Crispy Baked "Fried" Chicken
Yields 6 drumsticks


Ingredients:
*6 drumsticks
*2/3 cup low fat buttermilk, shaken
*1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
*1 tsp ground dried sage
*1/2 cup flour
*3 cups Grape Nut Flakes (can substitute corn flakes, if preferred)

Preparation:
*Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. 

*Prepare your "stations" for breading:
1). Place flour on a plate or in a bowl.
2). Combine buttermilk, paprika and sage in a bowl large enough to dredge chicken through.
3). Place Grape Nut Flakes in a plastic bag and seal as tightly as possible. Use a rolling pin to crush the flakes until they are ground well.

*Salt and pepper both sides of drumsticks. Using "stations" above, prepare chicken:
1). Press drumsticks into flour so all parts are covered. Shake off any excess flour.
2). Coat each drumstick in buttermilk mixture.
3). Roll drumsticks in ground Grape Nut Flakes. (I suggest shaking it in the bag - it's less messy!)

*Place the chicken breasts on a rack in a roasting pan or on a sheet pan (Note: the rack keeps both sides equally crispy, though you could lay them flat on a pan and just flip them to keep it even).

*Bake for 15 minutes at 425 degrees.

*After 15 minutes, turn the oven down to 375 degrees and bake for an additional 25-30  minutes. Remove from oven and serve with your choice of side!

For step-by-step pictures, see Crispy Baked "Fried" Chicken.