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Crispy Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks Recipe for Ultimate Crunch

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This recipe delivers crispy, sticky, and flavorful BBQ chicken drumsticks cooked in an air fryer for the perfect crunch and juicy meat inside. It’s quick, fuss-free, and ideal for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 chicken drumsticks (about 2 pounds / 900 grams), skin-on and bone-in
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ½ cup (120 ml) BBQ sauce (thick and sticky, e.g., Sweet Baby Ray’s or smoky Kansas City style)
  • Optional: ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken drumsticks dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure crispiness (about 5 minutes).
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and cornstarch; stir well to create an even seasoning blend (3 minutes).
  3. Drizzle olive oil over the drumsticks and rub to coat all sides (2 minutes).
  4. Add the seasoning blend to the bowl and toss the chicken until every piece is evenly coated (3 minutes).
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) (3 minutes).
  6. Arrange the drumsticks skin side down in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch (1 minute).
  7. Cook the drumsticks for 10 minutes, then flip using tongs.
  8. Cook for another 8-10 minutes, flipping again halfway through if needed, until skin is golden and crispy and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  9. Brush each drumstick generously with BBQ sauce, then air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes to caramelize the sauce, watching closely to avoid burning (2 minutes to brush, 3-5 minutes cooking).
  10. Let the drumsticks rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Drying the chicken thoroughly is crucial for crispiness. Use cornstarch or arrowroot powder for a crispy coating. Avoid crowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Flip drumsticks halfway through cooking for even browning. Add BBQ sauce near the end to prevent burning. Rest the meat before serving to keep it juicy. For reheating, use the air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken, BBQ chicken drumsticks, crispy chicken, easy dinner, weeknight recipe, smoky BBQ, gluten-free, healthy chicken

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/crispy-air-fryer-bbq-chicken-drumsticks-recipe-for-ultimate-crunch/