The Best Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Savor the perfect blend of crispy and juicy with the best air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks. Irresistible barbecue flavor in minutes!
Our air fryer has been a game changer for me, especially on busy weeknights. I can make so many different recipes with it in a fraction of the time it would take for me to cook them in the oven.
Not to mention, it is the perfect solution for when grilling season has past and it is way too cold to be outside cooking on the BBQ!
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Today’s recipe for delicious air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks makes the perfect main course or a crowd-pleasing appetizer for gatherings. You only need a couple of simple ingredients and the chicken is prepped in a matter of minutes.
Air Fryer BBQ Drumsticks
We love this chicken so much that the boys usually end up eating the whole first batch while the second batch is cooking.
Serve them with a simple garden salad and fries for an easy weeknight dinner the entire family will love. This fully loaded potato salad or classic caesar salad would make delicious side dishes for your chicken too.
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Supplies
- Ninja Air Fryer – this is a great all-around air fryer in my experience!
- Parchment paper – awesome for lining the basket of the air fryer and making clean up a breeze.
- Air Fryer Paper Liners – these disposable air fryer liners work great too!
- Cutting board – for slicing & dicing ingredients.
- Knife – this is my go to kitchen knife.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20-22 minutes
Total Time: 30-32 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- Chicken drumsticks
- Barbecue sauce – use your favorite BBQ sauce from the grocery store or try this homemade BBQ sauce recipe. We absolutely love it!
- Avocado oil – extra virgin olive oil works too.
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Dried oregano
Instructions
1. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 5 minutes.
2. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning adhere better.
3. In a bowl, coat the chicken drumsticks with the avocado oil, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and oregano.
4. Place the seasoned drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece.
5. Cook the chicken drumsticks in the air fryer at 380°F (193°C) for 18-20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy.
6. Once cooked, remove the drumsticks from the air fryer and let them cool slightly.
7. Brush the drumsticks with the barbecue sauce, coating them evenly on all sides.
8. Return the drumsticks to the air fryer for an additional 2 minutes to caramelize the BBQ sauce.
Note: Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the drumsticks and the type of air fryer you have. Adjust accordingly.
Tips and Tricks
- The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken drumsticks. Thicker drumsticks may require additional cooking time.
- The best way to ensure that any meat is cooked properly is to test the internal temperature using a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the meat.
- Make sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken drumsticks, ensuring they reach the safe minimum temperature of 165°F (74°C) for poultry.
- You can customize the flavors by using different barbecue sauce variations according to your preference, such as sweet and tangy or spicy.
- Feel free to adjust the seasonings according to your taste preferences as well. Add hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or chili powder for some heat. Experiment with different spice blends like cajun or Italian seasoning, lemon pepper, or even a BBQ dry rub like this one.
- If you don’t yet have an air fryer, you can get similar results from this easy recipe by baking the chicken on a sheet pan in the oven. Adjust the baking time accordingly.
- Store any leftover drumsticks in the fridge in an airtight container.
How to Get the Best Results
- It’s important to preheat the air fryer to ensure even and consistent cooking.
- Make sure your food is in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket, as this may lead to uneven cooking. Cook in batches if needed to allow for adequate circulation of hot air.
- Save on cleanup by lining your air fryer basket with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Clean your air fryer! I recommend washing by hand, but check your manual.
FAQ
- Everyone is talking about air frying. How exactly does an air fryer work? An air fryer cooks food quickly by radiating heat into the chamber that is then circulated through convection. This allows for food to be fried without the use of oils.
- Could I substitute frozen chicken in this recipe? Yes, however cook time and temperature will vary.
Once you know how to make this chicken drumsticks recipe, try substituting the drumsticks with full chicken legs, chicken wings, or chicken breasts. Adjust the seasonings. Try making a breaded version. There are so many options! Have fun with it and enjoy!
More Tasty Air Fryer Recipes
Now that you have experienced just how simple an air fryer is to use, I have tons of other easy air fryer recipes for you.
- air fryer broccoli
- asparagus
- sweet potato
- air fryer burgers
- traditional French fries
- BBQ chicken drumsticks
- air fryer steak
- steak bites
- salmon
- thick cut bacon
If you love this air fryer BBQ drumsticks recipe, please give it a five star review and help me share it on Facebook or Pinterest too!
Air Fryer BBQ Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 6 chicken drumsticks
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp oregano
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning adhere better.
- In a bowl, coat the chicken drumsticks with the avocado oil, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and oregano.
- Place the seasoned drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece.
- Cook the chicken drumsticks in the air fryer at 380°F (193°C) for 18-20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy.
- Once cooked, remove the drumsticks from the air fryer and let them cool slightly.
- Brush the drumsticks with the barbecue sauce, coating them evenly on all sides.
- Return the drumsticks to the air fryer for an additional 2 minutes to caramelize the BBQ sauce.
Nutrition
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Great recipe! Enjoyed every bite
Thank you!
Excellent recipe!
Thank you!