Easy Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Air fryer bbq chicken drumsticks on a light gray plate.

Easy Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are tender, juicy, and so delicious! These chicken legs are cooked in the air fryer until perfectly crispy, then slathered in a sweet BBQ sauce. This easy to make recipe can be served any time of year no matter the season!

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Keyword air fryer bbq chicken, air fryer chicken drumstick recipe, air fryer chicken recipe

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 18

Total Time 20

Servings

Author Ivory

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

6 chicken drumsticks
3 tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon brown sugar
¼ cup bbq sauce

Instructions

Air Fryer Instructions:

To a large bowl, add the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and brown sugar. Stir until well blended.
Add the chicken legs to the bowl and toss until well coated.
Spray or brush the air fryer basket with cooking oil.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This should only take 2 to 3 minutes.
Once the air fryer is ready, add the chicken drumsticks to the air fryer in a single layer and cook for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, flip the chicken and cook for another 6 minutes.
Open the air fryer and brush all sides of the chicken legs with BBQ sauce. Air fry the chicken for another 2 minutes until the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remove chicken from air fryer, let cool, then enjoy!

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks From Frozen:

Place the chicken drumsticks in a large Ziploc bag and top with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and brown sugar. Close the Ziploc bag and shake until the chicken is well coated.
Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once the air fryer is ready, add the frozen chicken drumsticks to the air fryer in a single layer. Cook for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, flip the chicken and cook for an additional 15 minutes.
Open the air fryer and brush all sides of the chicken legs with BBQ sauce. Turn the air fryer up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and air fry the chicken for another 2 minutes until the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remove chicken from air fryer, let cool, then enjoy!

Notes

Storage And Reheating Instructions:

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat in a preheated air fryer of 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 5 minutes until thoroughly heated.

Pro Tips:

The air fryer used to test this recipe was the Instant Vortex Plus 6 quart. Since all air fryers cook differently, you may need to adjust the timing specific to the air fryer you are using.
The USDA recommends that all chicken be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit as measured by an internal food thermometer.

Nutrition