Juicy Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

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Some days, you just want dinner to be simple, fast, and really satisfying. These air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks check all the boxes—they’re crispy on the outside, juicy in the center, and slathered in sticky, smoky BBQ sauce that makes you want to lick your fingers clean.

This recipe has become a go-to in my kitchen, especially on busy nights when I don’t feel like turning on the oven or making a mess. The air fryer does all the work, and the result? Pure comfort food that tastes like it took way more effort than it did.

If you’re looking for something easy, delicious, and family-friendly, give these drumsticks a try. You’ll be surprised how quickly they disappear.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Crispy Outside, Juicy Inside
  Thanks to the air fryer, you get that golden, crispy skin without deep frying—just a light drizzle of oil is all it takes.

• Fast, No-Fuss Dinner
  No need to heat up the oven or fire up the grill—these drumsticks go from fridge to plate in about 30 minutes.

• That Classic BBQ Flavor
  Smoky, sweet, and sticky in all the right ways. It’s the kind of flavor that keeps everyone at the table happy, from picky eaters to BBQ lovers.

Ingredients

• 2.5 lbs chicken drumsticks (about 8 pieces)

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp ground black pepper

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)

Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep
   Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3–5 minutes. While it’s warming up, pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels. This helps the skin crisp up nicely.

2. Season the Chicken
   Place the drumsticks in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss well to coat every piece evenly.

3. Air Fry to Perfection
   Arrange the drumsticks in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Air fry for 10 minutes, flip, then cook for another 10 minutes. The skin should be golden brown and crisp.

4. BBQ Time
   Brush the drumsticks generously with BBQ sauce, then return to the air fryer. Cook for an additional 5 minutes at 400°F (204°C), or until the sauce caramelizes and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

5. Rest & Serve
   Let the drumsticks rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps keep them juicy. Serve with extra BBQ sauce on the side, if desired.

Loved this recipe? Save it for later and share the love—just pin the image below to your favorite Pinterest board so you can come back to it anytime (and maybe help someone else discover their new favorite dinner too!).

Video Recipe

Tips & Tricks

• Dry chicken = crispy skin.
  Don’t skip patting the drumsticks dry before seasoning. It might feel like a small step, but it makes a big difference in how crispy the skin turns out.

• Don’t crowd the air fryer.
  Give each drumstick a little breathing room. If they’re too close together, they’ll steam instead of crisp. If you’re working with a smaller basket, cook them in batches—it’s worth it.

• Flip halfway through.
  This one’s easy to forget, but flipping the drumsticks at the halfway mark helps them cook evenly and brown on all sides.

• Use your favorite BBQ sauce—but don’t add it too soon.
  Sauce too early and you risk burning it. Brushing it on at the end gives you that rich, sticky glaze without the charred sugar taste.

• Rest before serving.
  Letting the chicken rest for just five minutes helps keep it juicy. It also gives the sauce a minute to set so it doesn’t slide right off.

• Like it spicy?
  Add a pinch of cayenne or a splash of hot sauce to the BBQ sauce for a little kick. Totally optional, but so good.

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