Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Diet: High-Protein
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 to 8 medium-sized chicken drumsticks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Start by patting the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture is the secret to getting crispy skin. Place the drumsticks in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. In a small ramekin, mix the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning over the chicken and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes. Arrange the seasoned drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. Cook for 10 minutes. This initial high-heat blast renders the fat and begins to crisp the skin.
- Open the air fryer and use tongs to flip each drumstick over. This ensures even browning on all sides. Continue air frying at 400°F for another 10 minutes. At this point, the chicken should be golden brown and the internal temperature should be reaching 160°F.
- Use a pastry brush to coat each drumstick generously with BBQ sauce. Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. This final step allows the sugars in the sauce to caramelize and become sticky without burning the chicken. The final internal temperature should be 165°F.