Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks
These Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks make barbecue night a whole lot easier! With just a few ingredients and less than 30 minutes, you have a hands-off dinner the whole family will love!
I just recently got a brand new air fryer, and I have been having so much fun experimenting with it! These drumsticks are the first time I tried making chicken in my air fryer, and I can confidently say that I will not be going back to my oven!
The crispiness of the skin was delicious, the meat was so tender and juicy, and the flavor was perfect! I can’t wait to see what else comes out of my Air Fryer experimentation. If you have any recommendations or requests, please leave them in the comments below.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks
- Chicken Drumsticks: Bone in, skin on. You can also use thighs for this recipe, though you may need to cook them a little longer.
- Olive Oil: You can also use avocado oil.
- Seasonings: Onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, oregano
- Barbecue Sauce: You choose the brand! I personally love Sweet Baby Ray’s original. If you want spicy drumsticks, choose a spicy barbecue sauce.
How to Make this Recipe
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with a paper towel.
- In a bowl, drizzle the drumsticks with the olive oil, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper and oregano. Use your hands to turn the chicken, making sure the surfaces are evenly coated.
- Place the seasoned drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece.
- Cook them 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 2-4 minutes to caramelize the BBQ sauce.
Expert Tips
- The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken drumsticks. Thicker drumsticks may require additional cooking time.
- It’s important to preheat the air fryer to ensure even and consistent cooking.
- 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 to your taste, adding more or less smoked paprika, salt, or other spices.
- Serve these delicious air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks as a main course for a family dinner or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer for gatherings.
FAQs
No, your chicken drumsticks should be in a single layer in your air fryer. If they are stacked, the skin will not get crispy.
A meat thermometer is your best friend! I try to use a digital meat thermometer for the easiest reading. Make sure your chicken comes to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Did you enjoy this recipe? If so, please leave a comment and rating down below! Enjoy!
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 6 chicken drumsticks, bone in, skin on
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with a paper towel.
- In a bowl, drizzle the drumsticks with the olive oil, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper and oregano. Use your hands to turn the chicken, making sure the surfaces are evenly coated.
- Place the seasoned drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece.
- Cook them 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 2-4 minutes to caramelize the BBQ sauce.
