Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
These air fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks cook up quickly and easily in the air fryer. And they’re perfect for two for dinner.
Seasoning these air fryer chicken legs with a homemade spice rub before cooking really takes these drumsticks to the next level. Then once almost cooked through, they’re slathered with your favorite BBQ sauce. And air-fried in the air fryer for a delicious caramelized finish to your air fryer drumsticks.
Taste testers of this recipe asked, “Why is this chicken SO GOOD?!?” The answer is this seasoning mix AND BBQ sauce. They work together to quickly yet deeply season the chicken.
You can make the barbecue sauce homemade if you like. Or use something like Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce. Either way works here. Or mix ketchup and sriracha and brush it on for a little zesty kick to your drumsticks.
What You Need to Make BBQ Chicken Legs
The spice mix seems long, but don’t worry, it’s mostly, if not all, pantry staples.
- chicken drumsticks
- vegetable oil or light olive oil
- brown sugar
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- smoked paprika
- salt
- chili powder
- black pepper
- ground cinnamon
- barbecue sauce your favorite brand or homemade
If you like it spicy add a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice mix to give it some heat.
I call for 3 drumsticks per person in this recipe, but if you find big meaty drumsticks, you can just use two per person. The spice mix should still work pretty well for 2 meaty drumsticks vs 3 regular drumsticks.
You can also use this spice mix recipe on chicken wings if you that’s what you have on hand. It tastes great and they’re perfect for game day!
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Legs
These air fried chicken drumsticks go with any side dish you’re making for dinner. Or you favorite side dish. Cauliflower Cheese is our favorite side dish, and a good chunk of garlic bread is another one of our favorites.
Got Leftovers?
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. You can enjoy leftovers cold or just reheat them in the air fryer. Turn the heat down to 300° for reheating. That way it’s gets warm without scorching.
BBQ Drumsticks
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 6 drumsticks if the drumsticks are very meaty you can just use 4
- 1 TBSP oil
- 2 TBSP brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce your favorite brand!
Instructions
- place the chicken in a bowl or pan pat the drumsticks dry
- drizzle with oil and turn to coat
- mix the spices together with the brown sugar, toss to combine
- sprinkle half of the brown sugar mix over the chicken, turn to coat
- repeat with the remaining spice mix
- set the chicken aside
- meanwhile, preheat the air fryer at 400° for five minutes
- when the air fryer is hot add the chicken legs to the basket
- air fry at 400° for 10 minutes
- turn and air fry again for another 6 minutes
- then baste on all sides with your favorite bbq sauce
- air fry again until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°
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