Cooking drumsticks in a NuWave oven is a quick and easy way to make a delicious meal. The NuWave oven uses a combination of infrared heat and convection cooking to cook food fast without drying it out. This allows you to get moist, flavorful results in a fraction of the time it would take in a conventional oven.
What is a NuWave Oven?
A NuWave oven is a compact countertop appliance that combines infrared, conduction, and convection heat to cook food quickly and evenly. It has a triple combo cooking power that allows you to cook foods up to 50% faster than a traditional oven. The NuWave oven uses less energy than a regular oven making it an energy efficient appliance.
Some key features of the NuWave oven include:
- Uses infrared heat, conduction heat and convection heat for fast cooking
- Can cook foods up to 50% faster than a conventional oven
- Has adjustable cooking racks and temperature probe
- Comes with a baking pan, cooking rack and drip pan
- Has a digital control panel and timer
- Has safety features like auto shut-off and overheat protection
The NuWave oven is great for cooking small meals, side dishes, appetizers and more. Its small footprint makes it perfect for apartments, dorms, RVs and other small spaces.
Benefits of Cooking in a NuWave Oven
There are many benefits to using a NuWave oven to cook drumsticks and other foods:
- Speed – Foods cook up to 50% faster than a traditional oven, so you can have a meal ready in no time.
- Moisture retention – Infrared heat seals in moisture so foods stay tender and juicy.
- Versatility – You can cook a wide variety of foods from frozen foods to roasted meats and more.
- Easy to use – Simple digital controls make it easy to get started.
- Energy efficiency – Uses less energy than a full-size oven.
- Compact size – Perfect for small kitchens, dorms, offices and other compact spaces.
- Portability – Weighs only about 20 pounds so you can move it between rooms or take it camping.
Using a NuWave oven gives you the speed and convenience of fast cooking without sacrificing the taste and quality of your meals. Let’s take a look at exactly how long it takes to cook drumsticks in a NuWave oven.
How to Cook Drumsticks in a NuWave Oven
Here is a simple process for cooking juicy, flavorful drumsticks in a NuWave oven:
- Preheat your NuWave oven to 350°F using the digital control panel.
- Season drumsticks with your choice of spices, herbs or marinades. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and oregano all work well.
- Arrange drumsticks on the cooking rack that comes with your NuWave oven. Make sure there is space between each drumstick.
- Cook drumsticks for 18-22 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
- Remove drumsticks from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Be sure to use a meat thermometer to check that drumsticks reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the size and thickness of the drumsticks.
Tips for the Best Results
- Pat drumsticks dry before seasoning and cooking for crispier skin.
- Avoid overcrowding the cooking rack so heat can properly circulate.
- Use a drip pan lined with foil underneath to catch any drippings.
- Allow drumsticks to rest before serving for juicier meat.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure drumsticks reach 165°F internal temperature.
How Long Does it Take to Cook Drumsticks Based on Weight?
Cooking time for drumsticks in a NuWave oven will vary slightly depending on the size and weight of the drumsticks. Here are some general guidelines for how long to cook drumsticks based on their weight:
| Drumstick Weight | Cooking Time (at 350°F) |
|---|---|
| 4-6 oz | 14-18 minutes |
| 6-8 oz | 18-22 minutes |
| 8-12 oz | 22-26 minutes |
The best way to ensure drumsticks are fully cooked is to use an instant-read meat thermometer. Check the thickest part of the drumstick to be sure it has reached an internal temperature of 165°F.
Cooking Frozen Drumsticks in a NuWave Oven
One of the convenient benefits of using a NuWave oven is that you can cook frozen drumsticks directly from frozen. Here are some tips for the best results:
- Increase cook time by 5-10 minutes from the times listed for raw drumsticks.
- Arrange frozen drumsticks evenly on the cooking rack with space between each one.
- Preheat NuWave oven to same temperature (350°F). No need to thaw drumsticks first.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to confirm they reach 165°F.
- Allow cooked frozen drumsticks to rest 5 minutes before serving.
Cooking drumsticks directly from frozen may take 25-35 minutes total depending on their size. Always verify temperature for food safety.
Additional NuWave Oven Cooking Tips
Here are some additional tips to get the most out of your NuWave oven when cooking drumsticks and other foods:
- Get the best results by preheating your NuWave oven fully before cooking.
- Rotate food halfway through cooking for even browning and cooking.
- Use foil liners or drip pans to catch drippings from meats.
- If cooking multiple batches, allow oven to reheat fully between each batch.
- Use digital cooking charts and food thermometers for best results.
- Clean the oven interior well after each use to avoid grease buildup.
With some experimenting, you’ll find that your NuWave oven can deliver tender, delicious drumsticks and other meats in no time at all. The combination of conduction, infrared heat, and convection makes this a fast and effective way to cook moist, flavorful meals.
Conclusion
Cooking drumsticks in a NuWave oven takes only around 18-22 minutes at 350°F to produce juicy, flavorful results. Cooking time may vary slightly based on the size and weight of the drumsticks, with smaller drumsticks cooking in 14-18 minutes and larger ones taking 22-26 minutes. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F internally before serving. With its speedy cooking capabilities, the NuWave oven lets you enjoy conveniently cooked chicken drumsticks any night of the week.