Caramel Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks with a Crispy Crust
Beautiful, appetizing, bronzed, and very tasty! If you already know how to cook caramel, this dish is easy. If not, it’s a great time to learn. These caramel oven-baked chicken drumsticks with a crispy crust look original and mouthwatering. You’ll need only a few ingredients.
Updated : 05 January, 2026
Easy
About 45 min.
Ingredients
6
Chicken legs
2 tablespoon
Sugar
0.5 teaspoon
Salt
90 milliliters
Water
Table
Table of volume measurements:
- teaspoon - 5 ml
- dessert spoon - 10 ml
- tablespoon - 20 ml
- glass - 200 ml
Preparation
Step 1
How to make caramel oven-baked chicken drumsticks with a crispy crust? Prepare all the necessary ingredients. Use medium-size drumsticks. Boil the water in advance - you’ll need it hot.
Step 2
If the drumsticks are frozen, thaw them ahead of time: remove the packaging and place them in a container on the bottom shelf of the fridge a day before cooking. Rinse the drumsticks under running water and pat dry. Extra moisture will make the caramel more runny. Pierce the meaty part in several places with a skewer or toothpick so the syrup you’ll make can soak into the chicken better.
Step 3
To make the syrup, take a small heavy-bottomed pot or saucepan and add the sugar and salt. Boil the water separately. When making caramel, everything must be done quickly, so keep the hot water ready. Put the saucepan over high heat. Don’t stir yet.
Step 4
When the crystals start to darken and the sugar at the edges turns brown and melts, reduce the heat to medium and begin stirring carefully. To prevent burning, you can remove the pan from the heat briefly while stirring.
Step 5
Then stir very quickly so all the sugar melts and caramelizes.
Step 6
Carefully (to avoid burns) pour in the hot water and bring to a boil. The caramel should be brown. Boil for 3-4 minutes.
Step 7
Transfer the drumsticks to a deep bowl. Pour the caramel syrup over them and mix well. Marinate for 15-30 minutes. If the drumsticks aren’t fully covered, stir once more during marinating.
Step 8
Place the drumsticks on a baking sheet or in a baking dish; you can line it with non-stick parchment. Brush the tops with the caramel syrup. If the syrup is too thin, strain it after marinating and simmer it down until slightly thickened. Bake in an oven preheated to 200°C (392°F) for about 40 minutes. Choose the exact time and temperature based on your oven.
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