Air fryer Bbq chicken drumsticks
Juicy and tender, and in under 30 minutes, this air fryer recipe for sticky delicious bbq chicken drumsticks is one to love.
Ingredients
 | 6-8 pieces of chicken – you can use any type of fresh chicken, I’m using drumsticks in this recipe. |
 | 1 cup of BBQ sauce |
 | 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, or tamari sauce for gluten-free |
 | 1 teaspoon of garlic powder or flakes |
 | 2 teaspoons of red chilli powder |
 | 1 teaspoon of onion flakes or powder |
 | 1 teaspoon of dried coriander (cilantro) |
 | 1 teaspoon of dried basil |
 | (Optional) 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper |
 | Pinch of salt and pepper |
How to make BBQ chicken drumsticks in the air fryer
- Mix the spices together in a large bowl (excluding the BBQ sauce).
- Rub the chicken generously with the spice mixture.
- Marinate in the fridge for 10 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 360°F (180°C).
- Cook the chicken in the air fryer for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Baste the chicken with BBQ sauce.
- Cook again for another 7 minutes.
- Check and continue cooking for a few extra minutes if you want more crispiness.
- Serve while warm.
There is something about chicken drumsticks that puts people in their happy place. Bringing back that “kid” feeling, there’s just something about picking up a juicy drumstick and biting into it.
These delicious bbq drumsticks are versatile enough to go from a weeknight dinner to a backyard picnic, and more. Just spice up the drumsticks and put them in the air fryer.
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can check out my oven-baked bbq chicken recipe with green beans here.
The key to making bbq drumsticks is to baste the bbq sauce onto the chicken towards the end of the cooking process. If you put the sauce too early, it will overcook and burn while the chicken is cooking.
A sticky and juicy piece of chicken, it is a foolproof, sumptuous meal that is suitable for any occasion.
Cooking tips
- If using frozen chicken, let it thaw for at least 45 minutes beforehand.
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (180°C) before cooking the chicken. This helps to ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and becomes crispy on the outside.
- I like Kraft Hickory Smoke Barbecue Sauce or any type of BBQ Sauce which is less sweet, but it really comes down to personal preference.
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Air Fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6-8 chicken drumsticks
- 1 cup of bbq sauce
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons of red chili powder
- 1 teaspoons of onion powder
- 1 teaspoon of dried coriander
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional)
- pinch of salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, mix the spices together (excluding the BBQ sauce).
- Add the chicken into the bowl and rub each one generously with the spice mixture.
- Place in the fridge for 10 minutes to allow it to marinate.
- When ready to cook, preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 360°F (180°C).
- Place the chicken in a air fryer tray and cook for 15 minutes, flipping the chicken over every 8 minutes or so.
- Take the tray out of the oven, and carefully baste the chicken with bbq sauce using a spoon to rub it in.
- Place the baking tray back in the oven and cook for another 7 minutes.
- Open the air fryer to see if the bbq drumsticks are crispy enough for you, and heat them for a couple more minutes if you wish.
- Serve while warm.
Nutrition
Please note: We are not certified nutritionists and these estimates written and produced for entertainment purposes only.
What to serve with it?
You can serve these delicious air fryer bbq drumsticks with a vegetable side dish like air fryer green beans or a casserole like this zucchini and red pepper bake.
You can also serve it with a potato dish like these Instant pot garlic mashed potatoes or cheesy potatoes au gratin.
How to store it?
These air fryer bbq chicken drumsticks can be prepared in advance, and can be eaten both cold or warm. Keep everything in airtight glass containers until ready to eat.
