These Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Legs are the perfect dinner option. With a crisp exterior and juicy interior, these chicken legs will surely be a hit with your entire family.
The best thing about this air fryer chicken drumsticks recipe if you ask me is that you get the same crispy skin and juicy meat that you would from grilling but don't have to worry about the weather. So, you can make these indoors year-round.
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❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- Air Fryer BBQ chicken legs use simple ingredients to make this easy meal.
- Dark meat is budget-friendly so with this delicious meal you don't have to spend much money at the grocery store.
- Barbecue chicken drumsticks are always a family favorite and this recipe is no different, even the picky eaters in your house will love it.
🧾 Ingredient List
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- chicken drumsticks
- barbecue sauce
- avocado oil
- onion powder
- smoked paprika
- salt
- black pepper
- dried oregano
🍲 Equipment
🔪 Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, coat the chicken drumsticks with avocado oil, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and oregano
Step 2: Toss the chicken in seasonings and oil until it's well coated in the seasoning mixture.
Step 3: Place the seasoned drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Be sure to leave space between each drumstick.
Step 4: Cook the chicken drumsticks in the preheated air fryer at 380°F (193°C) for 18-20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy.
Step 5: Brush the drumsticks with the barbecue sauce, coating them evenly on all sides.
Step 6: Return the drumsticks to the air fryer for an additional 2 minutes to caramelize the BBQ sauce. Remove from the air fryer and cool slightly.
👩🏻🍳 Eileen's Tips for Success
- Feel free to use your favorite barbecue sauce, you can use homemade BBQ sauce if you prefer.
- The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the drumsticks.
- Be aware, air fryer cooking times can vary based on each model.
- Don't forget to preheat the air fryer to ensure nice and crispy skin on your air fryer chicken legs.
- Make sure to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken drumsticks. Ensure that the temperature of the drumsticks is 165°F (74°C) for poultry.
📖 Variations
Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways that you increase the flavor of this dish.
- Want to add a richer flavor to your chicken legs? Add a dash of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, or teriyaki sauce when you are coating the chicken legs for even more flavor.
- Don't have avocado oil on hand? You can use another high smoke point oil such as olive oil for these drumsticks
- Seasoning - For a little extra flavor, you can also add some additional seasoning to your chicken legs, some of our favorites are ground mustard, garlic powder, or even chili powder or cayenne pepper for a touch of heat.
- For another variation, use either our homemade chicken rub or Cajun Seasoning Blend to season the drumsticks.
❄️ Make ahead, storage, and freezer tips
Make ahead - On busy weeknights when I know that I'm going to be in a hurry to make dinner I like to season the chicken legs before I leave the house, cover them, and store them in the fridge. That way when I get home I can just preheat the air fryer and cook these drumsticks in no time. Storage - Store leftover chicken legs in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. You can also store them in a storage bag.
Freezing - Cooked chicken legs freeze well, pop them in a freezer-safe bag. Store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
📋 Frequently Asked Questions
These juicy chicken legs are done cooking when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Yes, you can use your favorite type of chicken with this recipe, remember to adjust the cook time accordingly.
You can reheat these in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes, or in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes. Just make sure to cover them with foil so they don't dry out.
🥣 Serving Suggestions
- This instant pot corn on the cob makes a delicious side to pair with your drumsticks. Plus, you don't have to turn on the oven.
- Another great side dish to pair with this air fryer chicken recipe is Bacon Ranch Potato Salad. It's tangy, creamy, and great to pair with this meal.
- These Spicy Baked French Fries are one of my favorite side dishes to pair alongside this air fryer chicken drumsticks recipe.
- Our homemade veggie macaroni salad is a delicious side dish for these drumstick.
- Grilled Potato Wedges would be a tasty choice for a side dish for these
- Check out all our side dishes here.
🍽 Similar recipes
- Next time, try our super popular marinated chicken drumsticks.
- Are you looking for another delicious recipe to make this grilling season? Check out this Easy Grilled Pesto Chicken recipe. It's perfect for summer.
- Want to add another chicken recipe to your meal plan? This apricot-marinated chicken is another tasty option that pairs well with any side dish.
- Are you looking for more tasty air fryer recipes to make? If so, check out these Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings or these Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. You can't go wrong with either recipe.
- Check out all our chicken recipes here.
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Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.
Eileen xo
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Equipment Needed:
- As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Ingredients
- 6 chicken drumsticks
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 2 Tablespoons canola oil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with a paper towel. (This helps the seasoning adhere to the chicken)
- In a large mixing bowl, coat the chicken drumsticks with avocado oil, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and oregano.
- Place the seasoned drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Be sure to leave space between each drumstick.
- Cook the chicken drumsticks in the air fryer at 380°F (193°C) for 18-20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy.
- Once cooked, remove the drumsticks from the air fryer and let them cool slightly.
- Brush the drumsticks with the barbecue sauce, coating them evenly on all sides.
- Return the drumsticks to the air fryer for an additional 2 minutes to caramelize the BBQ sauce.
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