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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 475 reviews

These Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are crispy, juicy, and packed with smoky, garlicky flavors, then finished with a sticky BBQ sauce caramelized to perfection. A quick and easy recipe perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner or game day snack using the air fryer for healthier, fuss-free cooking.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Drumsticks

  • 10 chicken drumsticks
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Finishing Sauce

  • ½ cup BBQ sauce

Instructions

  1. Preheat Air Fryer: If your air fryer requires preheating, set it to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to heat for 3–5 minutes while you prepare the chicken. Check your air fryer manual as some models do not need preheating.
  2. Make Marinade: In a small bowl, combine avocado oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to create a flavorful marinade for the drumsticks.
  3. Prepare Chicken: Pat the drumsticks dry using paper towels to ensure crispiness and place them in a large bowl for seasoning.
  4. Coat Drumsticks: Pour the marinade over the drumsticks and toss thoroughly so each piece is evenly coated with the spices and oil.
  5. Marinate: Let the coated chicken sit for at least 10 minutes to absorb the marinade flavors fully.
  6. Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the drumsticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not overlap to guarantee even cooking and crispiness.
  7. Initial Air Frying: Cook the drumsticks at 375°F (190°C) for 22–25 minutes, flipping them halfway through to brown both sides evenly and ensure they are cooked through.
  8. Add BBQ Sauce: Transfer the cooked chicken to a large bowl and toss with the BBQ sauce until all drumsticks are thoroughly coated.
  9. Caramelize BBQ Sauce: Return the coated drumsticks to the air fryer and cook at 400°F (200°C) for an additional 2–3 minutes to caramelize the sauce and create a sticky, delicious finish.
  10. Serve: Remove from the air fryer and serve hot for a flavorful and crispy BBQ chicken drumstick experience.

Notes

  • For best results, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation for even cooking.
  • You can substitute avocado oil with olive oil if preferred.
  • Adjust cooking times slightly depending on the size of your drumsticks and air fryer model.
  • Use your favorite BBQ sauce variety, whether sweet, spicy, or smoky, to customize flavor.
  • Ensure the internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety.

Keywords: air fryer chicken drumsticks, BBQ chicken, air fryer BBQ, crispy chicken drumsticks, easy air fryer recipes, weeknight chicken, game day snacks

Find it online: https://leofoster.com/air-fryer-bbq-chicken-drumsticks-recipe/