Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

I love making juicy and tender air fryer chicken drumsticks because they’re super easy to make! My recipe is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and loaded with smoky-sweet BBQ flavor.

My Favorite Way to Make Air Fryer Drumsticks

Air fryer chicken drumsticks were my solution to how tragically short grilling season can be. One winter afternoon, my whole family was craving that smoky, saucy flavor, but the idea of firing up the grill in freezing temperatures was a hard no.

I’ve made drumsticks in the oven before, but they always seem to take longer than I think they should for the amount I want to make. Pan-frying is better for crispy skin, but I have a hard time getting the drumsticks cooked all the way through. 

So I decided to try the chicken drumsticks in the air fryer instead. I seasoned them the same way I would for the grill, then basted them with BBQ sauce partway through the air frying process.

They turned out even better than I expected! The skin was crackly, the inside stayed super juicy, and I didn’t have to fuss with frying on the stove or a baking sheet full of grease!

And if you love drumsticks, try my recipes for instant pot chicken drumsticks, baked chicken legs, air fryer chicken legs, and air fryer turkey legs.

Air Fry Chicken Drumsticks Ingredients

• Chicken drumsticks – I get so much more flavor from bone-in, plus they help keep the chicken juicy. I’ve also used chicken quarters, but they take longer to cook.
• Olive oil – I use extra virgin olive oil, but have used regular olive oil and even vegetable oil with success. This helps the spice mixture stick to the drumsticks and gets the skin nice and crispy!
• Garlic and onion powder – This gives me all the punch of garlic and onion but coats the chicken much easier in powder form.
• Paprika – The delicious, smoky flavor is what makes my chicken drumsticks taste like they came straight off the grill!
• Salt and black pepper – These help enhance the natural flavors of the chicken.
• Barbecue sauce – My personal favorite is Sweet Baby Ray’s, but any BBQ sauce will work.
• Cayenne – Optional but great when I want to add some heat to the drumsticks!

How to Cook Chicken Drumsticks in the Air Fryer

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F and prep the drumsticks by patting them dry with a paper towel.

STEP TWO: Add the garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), and olive oil together to a small bowl and mix. Coat the drumsticks in the mixture and massage for a few minutes — this helps to ensure the seasonings stick!

STEP THREE: Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in one layer and cook for 20 minutes, flipping them with just 5 minutes left to cook.

STEP FOUR: Baste the chicken with BBQ sauce, flip, then baste the other side. Air fry for another 3-5 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.

STEP FIVE: Remove them from the air fryer and baste them with more BBQ sauce if desired. Serve and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

• I always preheat the air fryer to ensure the chicken skin gets nice and crispy and that the drumsticks cook evenly.
• I season the drumsticks really thoroughly with the spice mixture to get maximum flavor.
• The air fryer drumsticks should be in a single layer in the air fryer basket with space between them. I work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
• I turn the drumsticks in the air fryer with just a few minutes left in the cooking time so they cook evenly and get crispy on all sides.
• To make sure the drumsticks are fully cooked, I use a meat thermometer and pull the chicken out of the air fryer once the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

Air Fry Chicken Drumsticks Variations and Substitutions

• My husband Ben loves it when I use buffalo sauce instead of BBQ sauce. He says it’s like eating buffalo wings in drumstick form!
• I sometimes use honey mustard instead of BBQ sauce for a tangy-sweet bite.
• For extra smoky flavor, I’ll use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika. This version tastes like it came straight off the smoker!
• I’ll brush the wings with teriyaki sauce instead of barbecue sauce for an Asian-inspired version that tastes amazing served with white rice on the side!
• When I want extra crispy drumsticks, I’ll use a BBQ dry rub instead of basting with barbecue sauce. I spritz the chicken with extra oil during the cooking process to keep it from drying out.

How to serve with Chicken Drumsticks in the Air Fryer

In my opinion, chicken drumsticks are meant to be eaten with your hands, so I love serving them with finger food like air fryer corn on the cob, air fryer French fries, or air fryer biscuits!

I also enjoy pairing them with comfort foods like an air fryer baked potato, Instant Pot potato salad, or air fryer tater tots!

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks FAQs

How to store air fried drumsticks

I let my leftovers fully cool, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They stay fresh for 3-4 days.

How to reheat drumsticks in the air fryer

To heat up my leftover air fryer chicken drumsticks, I preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F, pop the drumsticks in for 5-8 minutes until they are heated all the way through, baste with a little more BBQ sauce, then dig in!

How do I get my chicken drumsticks crispy?

For the crispiest chicken drumsticks, I pat them dry, coat them evenly in oil, and let my air fryer fully preheat. I also leave plenty of space between each drumstick in the air fryer basket so the hot air can circulate properly and crisp them up on all sides!

More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

• Air fryer chicken wings
• Air fryer chicken tenders
• Air fryer chicken parmesan
• Air fryer fried chicken
• Air fryer chicken breast

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