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.

Craving something crispy, flavorful, and easy to make at home? These ranch chicken nuggets are coated in a creamy, herb-packed dressing and finished with a golden breadcrumb crust—all done right in the air fryer.

With every bite delivering juicy chicken and serious crunch, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser whether you’re feeding kids, hosting game night, or just treating yourself to a homemade comfort food classic. No deep frying, no mess—just bold flavor and crispy perfection in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized nuggets
• 1 cup creamy ranch dressing
• 1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

Homemade Ranch Dressing Ingredients:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup buttermilk or regular milk
• 1 Tbsp fresh dill weed
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon dried chives
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ⅛ teaspoon finely cracked pepper
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste (approximately 1-3 teaspoons, adjust to taste)

Instructions:

Make the Ranch Dressing:

1. Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, and milk together in a bowl until smooth.
2. Add dill weed, parsley, chives, onion powder, garlic powder, sea salt, and pepper. Whisk until well combined.
3. Add freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste and whisk again.
4. Pour the dressing into a jar and chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Prepare the Chicken Nuggets:

1. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
2. Coat the Chicken: In a medium bowl, toss chicken nuggets with 1 cup of the prepared ranch dressing until generously coated.
3. Bread the Nuggets: Place Italian seasoned bread crumbs in a separate shallow dish. Coat ranch-covered nuggets with breadcrumbs, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
4. Cook the Nuggets: Arrange nuggets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding. Air fry at 400°F for 12-14 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness.
5. Serve: Allow nuggets to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy immediately with additional ranch dressing, ketchup, or your favorite dip!

Love this recipe? Save it for later and share it with others by pinning the image below to your favorite Pinterest board!

Video Recipe

Tips & Variations

• Get that perfect crunch: Always preheat your air fryer and avoid overcrowding the basket. Nuggets need space for hot air to circulate—this is what gives them that golden, crispy finish.

• Upgrade your breadcrumbs: Want even more texture? Swap Italian breadcrumbs for panko or crushed cornflakes. For extra flavor, mix in a tablespoon of grated Parmesan or a pinch of smoked paprika.

• Let it rest before air frying: After coating the chicken, let the nuggets sit for 5–10 minutes. This helps the coating stick better and prevents it from falling off during cooking.

• Make it spicy: Stir a little hot sauce into the ranch dressing or add cayenne to the breadcrumb mix for a subtle heat that doesn’t overpower.

• Dark meat fans: Try boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier bite. They stay tender and flavorful even after a few extra minutes in the air fryer.

• Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and be sure your ranch dressing is free from hidden gluten—many store-bought brands offer gluten-free versions.

• Meal prep friendly: These nuggets reheat beautifully. Just pop them back in the air fryer for 3–4 minutes to restore their crispiness—perfect for next-day lunches or quick snacks.

• Dipping game: Ranch is a classic, but these nuggets also pair well with honey mustard, chipotle mayo, or even buffalo sauce for an extra kick.

One of the best ways to elevate chicken is with a bold and zesty peri peri marinade. This version is blended with roasted red pepper, garlic, lemon juice, and spices, then finished with a rich lemon butter sauce for a perfect balance of heat and tanginess. Air frying ensures delicious, juicy peri peri chicken skewers—without excess oil!

Ingredients

For the Peri Peri Marinade

• 1 red bell pepper, roasted, peeled, and blended
• 1 chilli pepper
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for heat preference)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 5-6 fresh basil leaves (or ½ tsp dried basil)

For the Chicken Skewers

• 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes
• 1 tbsp olive oil (for coating before air frying)
• Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 15 minutes)

For the Lemon Butter Sauce

• ¼ cup reserved peri peri sauce
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Peri Peri Marinade

1. Roast the red bell pepper over an open flame or in an oven at 400°F (200°C) until the skin blackens. Place in a bowl, cover, and let it steam for 5 minutes. Peel off the skin.
2. In a blender or food processor, blend the roasted red pepper, onion, garlic, salt, black pepper, paprika, cayenne, oregano, cumin, lemon juice, vinegar, oil, and basil until smooth.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

1. Place the chicken cubes in a bowl and coat with the peri peri marinade (reserve ¼ cup for the sauce).
2. Cover and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes (for best results, marinate overnight).

Step 3: Air Fry the Chicken Skewers

1. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (195°C).
2. Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto soaked wooden skewers.
3. Lightly brush with olive oil and place in the air fryer basket.
4. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through (internal temp: 165°F / 75°C).

Step 4: Make the Lemon Butter Sauce

1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
2. Stir in the reserved peri peri sauce, mayonnaise, lemon juice, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
3. Simmer for 2 minutes, stirring until smooth and creamy.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

• Drizzle the lemon butter sauce over the hot peri peri chicken skewers.
• Garnish with fresh herbs or a squeeze of extra lemon juice.
• Serve with grilled veggies, rice, or flatbread for a complete meal!

If you enjoyed this recipe, don’t forget to pin it on Pinterest and share it with friends! Let us know in the comments how yours turned out! 😊

Tips & Tricks for the Best Peri Peri Chicken Skewers

✔ Roast the Red Pepper Properly – Char the red pepper well before peeling. This enhances the smoky depth of your peri peri marinade.

✔ Marinate Longer for Maximum Flavor – While 30 minutes works, marinating overnight deepens the flavor and makes the chicken extra juicy.

✔ Soak Wooden Skewers – If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken. This prevents them from burning in the air fryer.

✔ Preheat Your Air Fryer – Always preheat your air fryer for the crispiest results. This ensures even cooking and a nice char on the chicken.

✔ Don’t Overcrowd the Basket – Arrange the skewers in a single layer with space between them for even airflow and crispiness.

✔ Flip Halfway for Even Cooking – This helps brown the chicken evenly on all sides, giving it that grilled-like finish.

✔ Adjust Spice Levels – If you prefer milder heat, reduce the cayenne or omit the chili pepper. If you love extra spice, add more chili or a pinch of red pepper flakes.

✔ Use Thighs for Extra Juiciness – While chicken breast is lean and cooks quickly, boneless chicken thighs stay even juicier and more flavorful.

✔ Make Extra Sauce – The peri peri butter sauce is addictive! Double the batch and use it as a dip for fries, veggies, or even spread it on sandwiches.

✔ Try Different Cooking Methods – No air fryer? No problem! You can also:

• Grill: Cook on medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
• Oven: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.

These tips ensure your Peri Peri Chicken Skewers come out perfectly every time!