Once these juicy, crispy air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks coated in savory BBQ sauce come out to the table, your family won't be able to stop themselves from eating the whole batch. Ready in just 35 minutes, they're perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a game day appetizer!
My family and I love having barbeque chicken drumsticks for game nights or slow evenings. You can't have your attention divided when you're focused on the intense action on TV, so to make things easier, I whip up this easy air fryer recipe that give me crispy, juicy, and tasty chicken drumsticks ready in no time.
This recipe only needs simple ingredients such as barbecue sauce, a neutral tasting oil (I use avocado oil spray for maximum health), onion powder, smoked paprika, and oregano; you can add whatever else you want based on what specific flavor you're craving! I love seasoning the chicken with smoked paprika the most, it gives it the smokey flavor as if it's cooked on a grill. The onion powder adds a mild sweetness while the oregano adds an earthy flavor. They are so good, I'm sure everyone will go for a second serving.
This air fryer barbeque chicken recipe is perfect for both weeknights and weekends, and my kids love it as I don't make them spicy. They love how crispy the skin is and how juicy the insides are, and the marinade time is only less than 10 minutes, which is great for overwhelmed busy parents like me.
If you’re searching for a go-to recipe that’s simple, flavorful, and versatile, these air-fried BBQ chicken drumsticks are sure to be a hit!
Ingredients
- Chicken drumsticks - I buy frozen chicken legs but you can have fresh ones if you prefer.
- Barbecue sauce - Any brand of barbecue sauce will do, choose one that best fits your preference, you can even use homemade barbecue sauce.
- Avocado oil (or any high-smoke-point oil) - you can use a cooking spray.
- Onion powder - adds a mild, savory sweetness to the chicken, but it's not overpowering.
- Smoked paprika - adds a nice smokiness which I like.
- Oregano - adds an earthy, slightly peppery flavor with hints of mint and lemon
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Step-by-step instructions
If you're looking for one of the easiest ways to level up your air fryer drumsticks, you've found the perfect recipe! Follow these straightforward instructions to prepare delicious air-fried chicken drumsticks coated in barbecue sauce. This recipe is simple and yields crispy, flavorful results.
Preheat the Air Fryer
Begin by preheating your air fryer to 380°F (193°C). This step is important as it ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and achieves a crispy texture. Allow the air fryer to preheat for about 5 minutes. While it heats up, you can prepare the chicken.
Prepare the Chicken Drumsticks
Take your chicken drumsticks and pat them dry using a paper towel. Drying the chicken is essential because it helps the seasoning adhere better and contributes to a crispier skin during cooking. Make sure to remove any excess moisture.
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Season the Chicken
In a mixing bowl, combine the avocado oil, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and oregano. Add the chicken drumsticks to the bowl and toss until they are evenly coated with the oil and seasoning mixture, ensuring that each drumstick is well-covered for maximum flavor. You can also baste the chicken with any remaining marinade once they are arranged in the air fryer.
Arrange in the Air Fryer
Once the drumsticks are seasoned, take the air fryer basket and place the chicken arranged in a single layer. Make sure to leave some space between each piece to allow for proper air circulation and to not overcrowd the air fryer. This will help the drumsticks cook evenly and achieve that desired crispiness.
Cook the Drumsticks
Place the basket in the preheated air fryer and set the timer for 18 to 20 minutes. Check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s fully cooked. You may also flip the chicken halfway through for even cooking. Look for crispy skin as an additional indicator that they are ready.
Cool the Drumsticks
Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the drumsticks from the air fryer. Let them cool for a few minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, making the chicken more tender and flavorful.
Add the Barbecue Sauce
After the drumsticks have cooled slightly, take your barbecue sauce and brush it generously over each drumstick. Make sure to coat them evenly on all sides to enhance the flavor and create a delicious glaze.
Caramelize the Sauce
Finally, return the sauced drumsticks to the air fryer for an additional 2 minutes. This step is crucial as it caramelizes the barbecue sauce, giving the chicken a sticky, flavorful finish. After 2 minutes, your drumsticks are ready to serve!
Storage
To store leftover air-fried barbecue chicken drumsticks, let them cool to room temperature before placing them in an airtight container. For optimal freshness, refrigerate the drumsticks for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply place them in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes, you can add additional BBQ sauce or butter to make them juicier. Check them halfway through to ensure even heating, and adjust the time as needed until they are heated through and crispy.
Top Tips
Consider size and thickness: Thicker drumsticks might require additional cooking time, so keep an eye on them as they cook.
Preheat: Make sure to preheat your air fryer before adding your chicken.
Customize your flavors: Feel free to experiment with different barbecue sauce variations to suit your taste. Whether you prefer sweet and tangy or spicy, there are plenty of options to enhance the flavor of your drumsticks. Add hot sauce if you like.
When to Serve These Chicken Drumsticks?
Imagine tasty BBQ chicken drumsticks ready in just 30 minutes, leaving you with plenty of time to spend cooking side dishes or focusing on the intense game playing on the television (this has happened often...). This makes these perfect for the big game night, movie night, or any weeknight dinner when you're too tired to cook.
These drumsticks are also a great recipe for potlucks or a quick lunch. I’ve brought them out for family dinners, movie nights, and even weekend afternoons when everyone’s craving something savory. They’re easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser, easily one of my best air fryer recipes and easy chicken recipes.
What to Serve with Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
These air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks, in my opinion, are best paired with soups such as Easy Red Bell Pepper Bisque or Carrot Dill Soup. For another air-fryer appetizer that's perfect for game night, give our air fryer cheese bites a try!
Recipe
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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 6 chicken drumsticks
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with a paper towel. 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.
