T-5 days ‘til the biggest game of the year: Super Bowl Sunday! My new recipe, Simple Smoked Buffalo Drumsticks, are easy, DELICIOUS, perfect for game time!
There’s two types of Super Bowl fans: the ones who are true football fans, in attendance at viewing parties for the sake of the game. Or, there are the ones who know that game day typically brings with it excellent food, delicious drinks, and good company. I’m in the latter category. #HereForTheFood
Whether you’re a food-fanatic or a football-fanatic, this simple recipe requires only a few steps, allowing you more time to socialize and spectate. These Simple Smoked Buffalo Drumsticks can be prepped the night before, cooked with little oversight, and can be plated in just a minute’s time.
I recently acquired a Traeger smoker, and have loved the process of experimenting with different recipes on it. If you have a smoker of any kind, these Simple Smoked Buffalo Drumsticks are great with some subtle smoky flavor. If you don’t happen to have a smoker, this recipe can easily be replicated using an oven and finishing the drumsticks on a hot grill. I’ve included directions for both cooking styles below!
I also have to give a quick plug (this is not sponsored) to one of my new favorite finds at the grocery store, which is a staple of this recipe: Noble Made Medium Buffalo Sauce by a company called The New Primal.
The Noble Made brand features paleo-friendly (meaning no added sugar) sauces, including BBQ sauce, salad dressing, and of course buffalo sauce. I found this Noble Made Medium Buffalo Sauce at Sprouts Market and have been addicted ever since. It’s great on meat, veggies (hello, buffalo cauliflower!), and as a dipping sauce or spread on sandwiches. And for those Frank’s Red Hot fans out there, Noble Made will give you a run for your money taste-wise!
To get started with this Simple Smoked Buffalo Drumsticks recipe, you’ll need:
Some good quality chicken drumsticks (about 3 lbs. worth), Noble Made Buffalo Sauce (choose mild, medium, or hot according to your heat preference), and a container or Ziploc bag to marinade the meat in. Simply toss the drumsticks in the buffalo sauce until the meat is completely coated. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours while the drumsticks soak in that delicious tangy sauce. For best flavor, refrigerate the buffalo-coated drumsticks in the marinade overnight.
When you’re ready to cook, set your smoker to “smoke” setting and allow to pre-heat for 10-15 minutes. Place drumsticks on the smoker, and attach a temperature probe to a couple of the drumsticks for temperature monitoring. These Simple Smoked Buffalo Drumsticks will be fully cooked when they hit an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have smaller drumsticks than what mine look like, you will need to adjust your cooking times so they don’t overcook. A simple lesson concerning smoked meats: temperature is king!
Once your drumsticks are on your smoker, allow them to cook at low heat on the “smoke” setting for 30-minutes. After 30-minutes, up the smoker temperature to 350 degrees and allow the drumsticks to cook for 30-minutes more, or until they reach 165 degrees internal temperature. When they are finished, the skin should be slightly crispy and there should be grill marks on the bottom of the drumsticks.
For those without a smoker:
Replicate this recipe by placing your Buffalo Drumsticks in a 350-degree oven for 30 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 155 degrees. Then, pre-heat your grill, and finish your drumsticks over a hot flame to finish the cooking process and add some char to the skin.
Serve your Simple Smoked Buffalo Drumsticks garnished with cilantro (yes, cilantro-it pairs wonderfully with the spicy buffalo flavor!) and plated alongside some Bleu Cheese dressing or ranch dipping sauce. Crumble Bleu Cheese on the top of your drumsticks to allow for an extra tangy hit when you and your guests take a bite. Pair with some ice cold beer (like this Institution IPA) to round out the game day experience!
The indirect heat from the Traeger grill makes these drumsticks moist, juicy, and packed with flavor. The heat from the Noble Made Buffalo Sauce is balanced with the cool bleu cheese and fresh cilantro. These Simple Smoked Buffalo Drumsticks are reminiscent of all the best parts of buffalo wings, but are a much healthier alternative.
So, there you have it! This super simple recipe can be prepped in advance and requires almost no hands-on monitoring during the cooking process. It’s perfect for entertaining on game day, and will be sure to impress your guests (regardless of whether they’re there for the football or the food!).
Want to see more recipes like this one? Let me know in the comments below, and share on social media to show your support!
Simple Smoked Buffalo Drumsticks
Equipment
- Traeger smoker OR oven and grill
- Container or Ziploc bag for marinade
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Chicken Drumsticks
- 3/4 cup Noble Made Medium Buffalo Sauce (or your favorite buffalo sauce)
- 1 cup Bleu Cheese dipping sauce for serving
- 1 bunch Cilantro for garnish
- 1/2 cup Crumbled Bleu Cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Combine drumsticks and buffalo sauce in a container for marinading. Coat well. Refrigerate marinaded drumsticks for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible. Note: I highly recommend an overnight marinade for this recipe!
- Pre-heat Traeger smoker on "smoke" setting for 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Place drumsticks on smoker and insert temperature probes into a couple of the drumsticks. Leave Traeger on "smoke" setting for 30-minutes.
- After 30-minutes on the smoker, turn the Traeger temperature up to 350 degrees and allow the drumsticks to cook until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. If using an oven, place drumsticks in the oven for 30-minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 155 degrees. Then, remove drumsticks from the oven and place on a hot grill to finish the cooking process and add some char to the skin. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165 degrees while on the grill.
- Plate drumsticks alongside Bleu Cheese dressing for dipping. Garnish with cilantro and crumbled Bleu Cheese. Serve and enjoy every bite!