Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
This is one of those recipes that’s always in the rotation—and for good reason. I use my air fryer all the time, and these BBQ chicken drumsticks have become an absolute staple. They’re quick to prep, full of smoky-sweet flavor, and come out perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, every single time. Expect sticky fingers and clean plates, and be prepared to get asked for these on repeat.
Whether you’re throwing together an easy weeknight dinner, feeding a hungry crowd on game night, or building a laid-back buffet spread, this recipe just works. Minimal effort, maximum flavor, and zero leftovers.
Ingredients
- Chicken drumsticks
- Avocado oil: Great for high-heat cooking and helps the seasonings stick. You can swap for olive oil if that’s what you have on hand.
- Smoked paprika: Adds depth and a subtle smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with BBQ sauce. Regular paprika works too, but you’ll miss that hint of smoke.
- Garlic powder: A pantry staple that gives the drumsticks a savory boost without overpowering the other flavors.
- Onion powder: Rounds out the seasoning blend and adds a mild sweetness and depth.
- Salt & pepper
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite! Whether it’s smoky, sweet, spicy, or tangy, it’s what ties everything together and gives that sticky, caramelized finish.
How To Make Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Please note that there’s a printable recipe card included for you towards the bottom of this post!
- If necessary for your air fryer model, preheat to 375°F/190°C for about 3–5 minutes while you prep the chicken. Note that not all air fryers need to be pre-heated, so check your manual to be sure!
- In a small bowl, stir together the avocado oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to make a quick marinade.
- Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels and toss them in a large bowl.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken and mix it all together until the drumsticks are nicely coated.
- Let them sit for at least 10 minutes to soak up all that flavor.
- Once marinated, arrange the drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer—no overlapping so they cook evenly.
- Air fry at 375°F/190°C for 22–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re golden and cooked through.
- Transfer the drumsticks to a large bowl and toss with BBQ sauce until fully coated.
- Pop them back in the air fryer at 400°F/200°C for 2–3 more minutes to caramelize the sauce and get that sticky finish.
- Serve hot and dig in!
Tips for the Best BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
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Check your air fryer manual – Not all air fryers need to be preheated, so double-check your model. If yours does, 3–5 minutes is usually enough to get things ready.
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Pat the drumsticks dry – Don’t skip this step! Drying the chicken helps the oil and seasoning stick better and gives you crispier skin in the air fryer.
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Don’t overcrowd the basket – Make sure the drumsticks are in a single layer with a little space between them. This helps the hot air circulate and gives you even browning. You might want to cook in batches if you’re making these for a crowd, and depending on the size of your appliance.
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Flip halfway through – Turning the drumsticks once during cooking helps them cook evenly and crisp up on all sides.
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Sauce at the end – Wait to add the BBQ sauce until after the initial cook so it doesn’t burn! That quick blast at the end caramelizes it perfectly without drying out the chicken.
Serving Ideas
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Classic BBQ style – Serve them up with potato salad, coleslaw, or corn on the cob for a simple, crowd-pleasing meal.
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With a side of fries – Air fryer drumsticks and crispy fries are a match made in dinner heaven.
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Over rice or mashed potatoes – Let that sticky BBQ sauce soak into something cozy underneath.
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Tucked into wraps or sliders – Shred the chicken and layer it into tortillas or slider buns with slaw for a fun, easy dinner.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 10 chicken drumsticks
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- If necessary for your air fryer model, preheat to 375°F/190°C for about 3–5 minutes while you prep the chicken. Note that not all air fryers need to be pre-heated, so check your manual to be sure!
- In a small bowl, stir together the avocado oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to make a quick marinade.
- Pat the drumsticks dry with paper towels and toss them in a large bowl.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken and mix it all together until the drumsticks are nicely coated.
- Let them sit for at least 10 minutes to soak up all that flavor.
- Once marinated, arrange the drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer—no overlapping so they cook evenly.
- Air fry at 375°F/190°C for 22–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re golden and cooked through.
- Transfer the drumsticks to a large bowl and toss with BBQ sauce until fully coated.
- Pop them back in the air fryer at 400°F/200°C for 2–3 more minutes to caramelize the sauce and get that sticky finish.
- Serve hot and dig in!
Just like that, dinner’s done—and it couldn’t have been easier. These air fryer BBQ drumsticks bring the smoky, saucy goodness of classic barbecue without firing up the grill or heating up the kitchen. If you make them, don’t forget to leave a quick review in the comments section below!
