Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken delivers crispy, juicy drumsticks coated in smoky seasoning and caramelized BBQ sauce. It cooks fast, uses simple ingredients, and is perfect for easy dinners or meal prep.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 346kcal
Ingredients
- 10-12 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
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Mix the avocado oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl. Pour the marinade over the drumsticks and coat evenly. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes to soak up the flavor.
- Arrange the drumsticks in the air fryer basket without overlapping.
- Cook at 375°F for 22–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
- Transfer the drumsticks to a bowl and coat with BBQ sauce.
- Return the chicken to the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 2–3 minutes to caramelize the sauce.
- Serve hot.
Notes
Chef Jenn’s Tips
- Dry the drumsticks well so the seasoning sticks and the skin crisps.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer; work in batches if needed.
- Use a meat thermometer—drumsticks are done at an internal temp of 165°F.
- Switch up the flavor with honey BBQ, spicy BBQ, or chipotle BBQ sauce.
Nutrition
Serving: 2drumsticks | Calories: 346kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 918mg | Potassium: 436mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 529IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg