Go Back
–+ servings
Eightyrecipes
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
by Bity · eightyrecipes.com
Sticky, sweet, and smoky air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks with crispy edges and juicy meat. A simple weeknight dinner that is ready in about 35 minutes with almost no cleanup.
Air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks glazed in barbecue sauce on a speckled plate
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Total Time 38 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 5 servings
Calories 335 kcal

Ingredients  

  • 10 chicken drumsticks about 2.5 to 3 pounds
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil or another high heat oil
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce plus more for serving

Instructions

  • Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 3 to 5 minutes.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the avocado oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to make a loose marinade.
  • Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels and add them to a large bowl. Pour the marinade over the top and toss until every piece is evenly coated. Let them sit for at least 10 minutes so the flavor can sink in.
    Mixing the spice marinade and coating raw drumsticks before air frying
  • Arrange the drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping so the hot air can reach every side.
  • Air fry at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 22 to 25 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are deeply golden and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
  • Move the cooked drumsticks to a large bowl and toss them with the BBQ sauce until they are fully glazed.
    Tossing cooked drumsticks in BBQ sauce and returning them to the air fryer basket
  • Return the sauced drumsticks to the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 2 to 3 minutes to set the sauce into a sticky glaze. Serve warm with extra BBQ sauce on the side.

Notes

For the crispiest skin, pat the drumsticks really dry before adding the marinade. Do not skip the single layer step, crowding the basket steams the chicken instead of crisping it. Always cook to 165 degrees F at the thickest part rather than by time alone, since air fryer wattage varies. Add the BBQ sauce only at the end so the sugars do not burn during the main cook.
Nutrition
Calories 335 kcal
Fat 19 g
Saturated Fat 4 g
Protein 30 g
Carbohydrates 10 g
Sugar 8 g
Sodium 720 mg
Nutrition is an estimate, calculated automatically.
Tried this recipe?Tag @eightyrecipes on Instagram and Pinterest, we love to see it. ★ Leave a rating