• 2½ pounds chicken drumsticks⁠
• Salt and pepper⁠
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Sauce:⁠

• ½ cup granulated sugar⁠
• ½ cup soy sauce⁠
• 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar⁠
• 1 tbsp tomato paste⁠
• 3 garlic cloves minced⁠
• 1½ tsp freshly chopped ginger⁠
• 3 tbsp canola oil⁠
• 2 tbsp cornstarch⁠
• 2 tbsp water⁠