Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
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You won't miss the grill with these easy air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks! They're crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and slathered in delicious BBQ sauce. You only need four ingredients to make them, and they're ready in just 25 minutes!
If you love BBQ chicken, try our easy and delicious baked BBQ chicken which uses chicken thighs and baked BBQ chicken breast.
Our newest dinner obsession is these incredible air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks. We've been loving our air fryer as an easy alternative to the oven or stove, and these BBQ chicken legs have become one of our go-to air fryer recipes. The chicken is crispy, juicy, and flavorful and it goes with all of your favorite side dishes. Any BBQ sauce will work, but we think you'll love our BBQ sauce for chicken!
Ingredients notes
With just four simple ingredients, you can make these tasty BBQ chicken drumsticks in your air fryer for dinner tonight!
- Chicken drumsticks: chicken drumsticks work great for this recipe, but you can also use other cuts of meat like chicken thighs, chicken wings, or boneless skinless chicken breasts. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- BBQ seasoning: BBQ seasoning adds a ton of flavor to the chicken. You can use a store-bought BBQ seasoning, or make a quick dry rub using brown sugar, kosher salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper (scroll down to the notes section in the recipe card for exact quantities).
You'll also need you favorite BBQ sauce (try our BBQ sauce for chicken), and some extra virgin olive oil.
How to make air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks
BBQ chicken in the winter? Yes, please! Unlike your outdoor grill, you can make these easy air fryer chicken drumsticks any time of year. Let's make them!
- While your air fryer preheats, pat your chicken dry, brush it with olive oil, and season it with BBQ seasoning.
- Place the drumsticks in your air fryer basket.
- Brush both sides with BBQ sauce and then cook them until the chicken is cooked through.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then serve it with extra BBQ sauce and your favorite side dishes!
What to serve with air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks
These air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks are a versatile protein you can serve with just about any side. In the pictures, we serve them with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and some arugula, but we also love them with Southern-inspired foods like grilled smashed potato salad, honey garlic corn on the cob, apple pie baked beans, or a salad like our classic broccoli coleslaw. The options here are truly endless!
Recipe FAQs
What's the best kind of BBQ sauce to use?
There are so many BBQ sauces out there, ranging from sweet to smoky and spicy, so it really depends on your taste preference. We love using our homemade BBQ sauce for chicken because it's delicious and contains no unwanted ingredients. Another great option is our bourbon BBQ sauce. There are also lots of great store-bought options!
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover BBQ chicken drumsticks in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Can I bake these in the oven instead of using an air fryer?
Yep, you can, but they won't turn out quite as crispy. You'll just need to adjust the cooking time as they'll take longer in the oven (about 40 minutes).
How do I know if my chicken is fully cooked?
The best way to know if your chicken is fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer. The FDA recommends it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don't have a meat thermometer, you can slice into it, and if the juices run clear (not pink), then the chicken is fully cooked.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 chicken drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons BBQ seasoning
- Ā½ cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer using the preheat function or by heating it at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.Ā Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with a paper towel and then brush them on all sides with olive oil. Sprinkle them evenly with BBQ seasoning.Ā6 chicken drumsticks, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons BBQ seasoning
- Carefully place the chicken drumsticks in the hot air fryer, making sure that they are not touching, and cook for 10 minutes.Ā
- Brush the tops of the chicken drumsticks with BBQ sauce, flip them over, and brush the second side with BBQ sauce.Ā Cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.Ā½ cup BBQ sauce
- Allow the chicken to rest in the air fryer for 5 minutes before serving.Ā Enjoy immediately with your favorite sides.Ā
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our dinner ideas!
Loved these BBQ chicken legs, and it was so much easier than grilling out, especially when it’s raining!
Absolutely! I love making them all winter long.
I made your air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks last night, and they turned out wonderfully! The BBQ sauce caramelized just right, and the drumsticks were juicy inside with a delightful crisp on the outside. Your method of using the air fryer for this recipe made the whole process quick and mess-free. This dish was a hit at our family dinnerāeveryone loved it!
That’s so wonderful to hear! Thanks Gus!
I didn’t know air fryers could yield such amazing chicken drumsticks! What a fantastic recipe – perfect for our dinner!
So happy to hear they were a hit!
Drooling over these chicken drumsticks. Can’t wait to try this recipe.
I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
I made these drumsticks for dinner last night and MAN were they delicious! Easy to make too!
I’m so happy that you loved the recipe!