This Air Fryer BBQ Chicken recipe delivers crispy, juicy drumsticks with a smoky, caramelized glaze—all in under 40 minutes! Using simple pantry spices and your favorite BBQ sauce, this easy recipe creates mouthwatering chicken perfect for weeknight dinners.
The air fryer locks in moisture while crisping up the skin, giving you the best of both worlds without excessive oil or mess. Serve with your favorite sides, and enjoy a quick, delicious, and family-friendly meal!
Ingredients:
- 10 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
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 24-28 minutes | Total Time: 34-38 minutes
Serving Size: 5 servings
How to Make Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for 3-5 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine the avocado oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to create a marinade.
Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels, then place them in a large bowl.
Pour the marinade over the chicken, tossing to coat evenly. Let them marinate for at least 10 minutes to enhance the flavor.
Arrange the drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
Air fry at 375°F for 22-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked.
Transfer the cooked drumsticks to a bowl and toss them with BBQ sauce until fully coated.
Return the chicken to the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 2-3 minutes to caramelize the sauce.
Remove from the air fryer and serve hot. Enjoy!
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):
- Can I use a different type of oil instead of avocado oil?
Yes, you can substitute avocado oil with any high-heat cooking oil, such as olive oil, vegetable oil, or coconut oil. - What if I don’t have smoked paprika?
You can use regular paprika or swap it for another spice blend like Cajun seasoning or chili powder to add a different layer of flavor to the chicken. - Do I need to use both garlic powder and onion powder?
Both seasonings enhance the marinade, but you can adjust them to suit your taste. If you prefer a stronger garlic flavor, increase the garlic powder or skip the onion powder, and vice versa. - Is it necessary to pat the chicken dry before marinating?
Yes, drying the chicken with paper towels removes excess moisture, helps the marinade stick better, and promotes crispier skin when cooked. Skipping this step may result in less crispy chicken.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 10 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 your air fryer to 375°F for 3-5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, combine the avocado oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to create a marinade.
- Pat the chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels, then place them in a large bowl.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken, tossing to coat evenly. Let them marinate for at least 10 minutes to enhance the flavor.
- Arrange the drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
- Air fry at 375°F for 22-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked.
- Transfer the cooked drumsticks to a bowl and toss them with BBQ sauce until fully coated.
- Return the chicken to the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 2-3 minutes to caramelize the sauce.
- Remove from the air fryer and serve hot. Enjoy!
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