These air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks are an easy way to get that classic BBQ taste without firing up the outdoor grill.
The skin gets crispy and slightly caramelized while the meat inside stays juicy and tender. We love them as a classic chicken dinner option that feels summery and pairs with so many sides like potatoes, salad, and more.
This recipe is a summer take on our classic crispy chicken drumsticks, but you can obviously eat them (and lick your fingers because of them) all year round!
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken drumsticks – We recommend using chicken drumsticks with skin since it gets nice and crispy.
- Oil – We use avocado oil, but another neutral oil, such as canola oil, vegetable oil, or sunflower oil, will also work.
- Salt – Enhances the overall flavor; adjust the amount to taste.
- Paprika – Adds a bit of extra flavor and some color.
- Garlic powder – For some extra flavor.
- Black pepper – For extra flavor; adjust amount to taste.
- BBQ Sauce – Use your preferred BBQ sauce; we use Bulls-Eye Chicken and Rib Renegade for this recipe.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer so the chicken drumsticks can cook evenly and get a crispy skin.
- Don’t put on the BQQ sauce too early, or it may burn in the air fryer (because of the sugar content in most sauces).
- Once the BBQ sauce is on, watch the drumsticks closely. They can go from caramelized to burnt quickly.
- The exact cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the drumsticks and your air fryer. The chicken drumsticks should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
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Step-by-Step Instructions
If the chicken drumsticks are wet, pat them dry with paper towels. Then place them in a large mixing bowl.
Also add the oil, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper to the bowl. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Then place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between them.
Air fry the drumsticks for 10 minutes, flip them, and cook for another 4-6 minutes until the skin is crispy and they are almost fully cooked.
Brush with BBQ sauce, then air fry for another 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce is slightly caramelized and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). The exact cooking time can vary.
Remove the cooked chicken drumsticks from the air fryer and let them rest for a minute. Then serve with sides of your choice. Enjoy!
Storage Tips
You can store leftover chicken drumsticks in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
We reheated these drumsticks at 325 degrees Fahrenheit (about 160 degrees Celsius) for 5-7 minutes until the center was hot again, and they were great.
When reheating, be sure not to overcook, or the BBQ sauce may burn. Also, the microwave works, but you’ll lose the crispness of the skin. The air fryer is just better for this task.
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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 6 chicken drumsticks, skin-on
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons BBQ Sauce
Instructions
- If the chicken drumsticks are wet, pat them dry with paper towels.6 chicken drumsticks
- Place the drumsticks in a large mixing bowl and add the oil, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Toss until the chicken drumsticks are evenly coated.2 tablespoons oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
- Once preheated, place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer with space between them so they can cook and crisp evenly. If your air fryer is very small, you may have to cook in batches.
- Air fry the drumsticks at 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) for 10 minutes, flip them, and cook for another 4-6 minutes until the skin is crispy and they are almost fully cooked.
- Brush with BBQ sauce, then air fry for another 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce is slightly caramelized and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). The exact cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the drumsticks and your air fryer.4 tablespoons BBQ Sauce
- Remove the cooked chicken drumsticks from the air fryer and let them rest for a minute. Then serve with sides of your choice.
Video
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer so the chicken drumsticks can cook evenly and get a crispy skin.
- Don’t put on the BQQ sauce too early, or it may burn in the air fryer (because of the sugar content in most sauces).
- Once the BBQ sauce is on, watch the drumsticks closely. They can go from caramelized to burnt quickly.
- The exact cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of the drumsticks and your air fryer. The chicken drumsticks should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
Nutrition
This nutritional information has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator. It should only be seen as a rough calculation and not a replacement for professional dietary advice.
