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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

These Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with bold, smoky flavors from your favorite BBQ sauce. A quick and easy way to make delicious chicken drumsticks without the hassle of deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 chicken drumsticks
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or oregano (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels to remove any moisture.
  3. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, smoked paprika, thyme (if using), salt, and pepper.
  4. Rub the spice mixture evenly over the chicken drumsticks.
  5. Place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded.
  6. Cook for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the drumsticks reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy.
  7. Brush the cooked drumsticks with BBQ sauce during the last 5 minutes of cooking for a nice glaze.
  8. Remove the drumsticks from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Feel free to use your favorite BBQ sauce or make your own from scratch.
  • For extra crispy skin, you can increase the cooking time by 2-3 minutes or brush the chicken with oil before cooking.
  • If you don’t have smoked paprika, regular paprika works just fine.
  • Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked.

Nutrition

Keywords: Air Fryer, BBQ, Chicken Drumsticks, Crispy Chicken, Quick Chicken Recipe