Cola BBQ Drumsticks Cornflake Crunch (Printable)

Sweet and tangy cola BBQ-glazed drumsticks with a crispy cornflake crunch, perfect for sharing.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 8 chicken drumsticks (approximately 1 kg)
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Cola BBQ Sauce

05 - 1 cup cola (non-diet)
06 - ½ cup ketchup
07 - 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
08 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
09 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
12 - ¼ teaspoon chili powder

→ Cornflake Crunch

13 - 3 cups cornflakes, crushed
14 - 2 tablespoons melted butter
15 - ½ teaspoon paprika
16 - ½ teaspoon salt

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, then place a wire rack on top.
02 - Gently pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Rub them evenly with olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Arrange the seasoned drumsticks on the prepared wire rack.
03 - Place the drumsticks in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes.
04 - While the chicken bakes, combine the cola, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder in a saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.
05 - In a separate bowl, combine the crushed cornflakes with the melted butter, paprika, and salt. Mix thoroughly and set aside.
06 - Remove the partially baked drumsticks from the oven. Generously brush each drumstick with the prepared cola BBQ sauce. Following that, carefully roll each sauced drumstick in the cornflake mixture, ensuring a complete coating.
07 - Return the coated drumsticks to the wire rack. Continue baking for an additional 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through (reaching an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C) and the cornflake coating is golden brown and crisp.
08 - Serve the Cola BBQ Drumsticks hot. Garnish with extra BBQ sauce if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just one hour from start to finish
  • Uses simple pantry ingredients you likely already have
  • Creates that perfect balance of sticky sauce and crunchy coating
  • Kid friendly but sophisticated enough for adults
02 -
  • These drumsticks can be prepped ahead and refrigerated before the final bake
  • The cola tenderizes the chicken while adding subtle caramel notes
  • Perfect for both casual weeknight dinners and special gatherings
  • Leftovers reheat well in the oven to maintain crispiness
03 -
  • Allow the drumsticks to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking for more even baking
  • Crush cornflakes to varied sizes for the most interesting texture
  • Reserve some of the BBQ sauce before coating the chicken to serve on the side for dipping
  • For a cleaner eating experience wrap the bottom of each drumstick in foil to create a handle

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