Cream Soda Glazed Drumsticks (Printable)

Chicken drumsticks with sweet cream soda glaze and crisp cornflake finish—easy, flavorful, and crowd-pleasing.

# Components:

→ For the Drumsticks

01 - 8 chicken drumsticks (approximately 1 kilogram)
02 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ For the Cream Soda Glaze

05 - 1 cup (240 ml) cream soda
06 - 0.25 cup (60 ml) ketchup
07 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
08 - 2 tablespoons honey
09 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

→ For the Cornflake Crunch

12 - 2 cups (60 g) cornflakes, lightly crushed
13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
14 - 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
15 - 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
16 - 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil, then place a wire rack on top.
02 - Pat the chicken drumsticks completely dry. Toss them with kosher salt, black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Arrange the seasoned drumsticks on the prepared wire rack.
03 - Combine cream soda, ketchup, soy sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, and smoked paprika in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the glaze has thickened and achieved a syrupy consistency.
04 - Generously brush the chicken drumsticks with the prepared cream soda glaze, reserving a portion of the glaze for later use.
05 - Bake the drumsticks for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush them again with the reserved glaze.
06 - In a separate bowl, combine the lightly crushed cornflakes with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix well.
07 - Remove the drumsticks from the oven. Evenly sprinkle the cornflake mixture over the drumsticks, pressing gently to help them adhere.
08 - Return the drumsticks to the oven. Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked (internal temperature reaches 74°C / 165°F) and the cornflake coating is golden brown and crisp.
09 - Serve the Cream Soda Glazed Drumsticks hot. Drizzle with any remaining glaze, if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in under an hour for weeknight dinner magic
  • Uses simple pantry ingredients in unexpected ways
  • Creates the perfect balance of sticky sweet glaze and satisfying crunch
  • Baking instead of frying means less mess with the same great texture
02 -
  • Perfect for meal prep as they reheat beautifully in the oven
  • Contains no butter or milk making them naturally dairy free
  • The glaze works wonderfully on other proteins like pork or tofu
  • Requires minimal hands on time despite the impressive results
03 -
  • For the crispiest results, make sure your cornflakes are freshly crushed just before using. Crushing them too far in advance can make them absorb moisture from the air and lose their crunch potential.
  • The wire rack is non negotiable for this recipe. Without it, the bottom of the drumsticks will become soggy as they sit in their juices. If you don't have a wire rack, crumple aluminum foil to create a makeshift rack that elevates the chicken.
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