These Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are everything you love about classic barbecue chicken — crispy skin, tender meat, and sticky-sweet flavor — without the grill! Perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners, this recipe gives you that smoky BBQ taste using simple pantry ingredients and your trusty air fryer.
No need to preheat the oven or spend hours over the stove. In just 25 minutes, you’ll have golden, juicy drumsticks coated in a mouthwatering BBQ glaze that’s finger-licking good!
Table of Contents
📝 Ingredients for Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- 6 chicken drumsticks (about 1 ½ lbs)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (use your favorite natural or homemade blend)
- Optional: a pinch of cayenne or chili flakes for heat
👩🍳 Directions for Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This step helps the skin crisp up beautifully.
- In a large bowl, toss the drumsticks with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Place the drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Brush with BBQ sauce generously on all sides and cook for another 5 minutes at 400°F (200°C) until the sauce caramelizes and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let rest for 3 minutes before serving — the juices will settle and make the meat even more tender.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve these BBQ drumsticks with roasted vegetables, air fryer potato wedges, or a fresh coleslaw for a balanced family meal. They also make an excellent addition to lunch boxes or picnic spreads!
💡 Expert Tips Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- For extra smoky flavor, mix a little liquid smoke or chipotle powder into your BBQ sauce.
- Always preheat your air fryer — it ensures that signature crispy crust.
- If you prefer saucier chicken, brush with additional BBQ sauce right before serving.
🔥 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – 1 Drumstick)
- Calories: 190
- Protein: 23g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 5g
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks – Crispy, Juicy & Easy
These Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are crispy, juicy, and coated in a sticky BBQ glaze — all made in 25 minutes! A healthy, high-protein family dinner full of smoky flavor without the grill.
Ingrédients
Method
- – Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
- – Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to help the skin crisp up.
- – Toss drumsticks with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- – Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- – Brush generously with BBQ sauce and cook 5 more minutes at 400°F (200°C) until the glaze caramelizes and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- – Let rest for 3 minutes before serving.
Notes
– For extra smoky flavor, mix a little liquid smoke or chipotle powder into your BBQ sauce.
– Always preheat your air fryer for maximum crispiness.
– Brush with extra BBQ sauce before serving if you like them saucy.
– Serve with roasted veggies, air fryer potatoes, or coleslaw for a complete meal.
– Always preheat your air fryer for maximum crispiness.
– Brush with extra BBQ sauce before serving if you like them saucy.
– Serve with roasted veggies, air fryer potatoes, or coleslaw for a complete meal.
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