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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BBQ chicken is always a hit. Great for feeding a crowd too. Try our baked BBQ chicken thighs, Baked BBQ Chicken wings, and marinated chicken drumsticks for easy dinner ideas.
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 made in the air fryer are easy to prepare and packed with flavor.
Ingredient List
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- chicken drumsticks
- barbecue sauce
- avocado oil
- onion powder
- smoked paprika
- salt
- black pepper
- dried oregano
Equipment
- Cosori 5.8 Quart Air Fryer
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Mixing Bowls
- Pastry Brush
- Whisk
How to Make Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Legs
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, whisk canola oil, and spices.
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
- BBQ Sauce: Substitute any favorite BBQ sauce. Use our homemade BBQ sauce.
- 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?
- BBQ Sauce: Substitute any favorite BBQ sauce. Use our homemade BBQ sauce.
- Oil: Any high smoke point oil such as olive oil or grapeseed oil can be used.
- Seasoning - Add ½ teaspoon of ground mustard, chili powder, or cayenne pepper for a touch of heat.
- For another variation, use our homemade chicken rub, Cajun Seasoning Blend, or Blackened Seasoning 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 cooking 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
- Instant pot corn on the cob.
- Bacon Ranch Potato Salad
- Spicy Baked French Fries
- homemade veggie macaroni salad
- Grilled Potato Wedges would be a tasty choice for a side dish for these
- Check out all our side dishes here.
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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! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Equipment Needed:
- As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Ingredients
- 6 chicken drumsticks
- 2 Tablespoons canola oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Pat 6 chicken drumsticks dry with a paper towel so the spice rub sticks to the drumsticks.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 Tablespoons canola oil, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon dried oregano.
- Add the drumsticks to the canola oil seasoning mix to blend the flavors on the drumsticks.
- 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. (flip the drumsticks halfway through cooking.
- Once cooked, remove the drumsticks from the air fryer and let them cool slightly.
- Brush the drumsticks with ½ cup 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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