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.
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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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Easy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 5-6 chicken drumsticks
- 1/8 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce I prefer Sweet Baby Ray’s
Optional
- pinch of cayenne pepper to add spice
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Pat dry the drumsticks then mix together the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt and pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Coat the chicken drumsticks with the oil mixture and massage it into the drumsticks for a few minutes to help keep the flavor in.
- Place the drumsticks in the air fryer and cook them for 20 minutes, flipping them with 5 minutes left to cook.
- Baste the chicken with BBQ sauce, flip, then baste the other side. Cook the chicken for another 3-5 minutes until it reaches 165 degrees F.
- Remove them from the air fryer and baste with additional BBQ sauce if desired!
Notes
- Always preheat the air fryer to ensure the chicken skin gets nice and crispy and that the drumsticks cook evenly.
- Cook them in a single layer in the air fryer basket with space between them, and cook in batches if needed.
- Add the BBQ sauce with just a few minutes left of cook time so it doesn’t burn.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To heat leftovers, cook them in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees F for 5-8 minutes until they’re heated through, adding more BBQ sauce halfway through.
Nutrition
This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.
I think the calories may be off at 666?
Hi Diane, it looks the chicken legs were throwing off the nutrition. I have updated this to show just drumsticks in the recipe card and is now showing the correct nutrition. Thank you!
Great recipe. A bit on the small side.
I tripled it, did ten thighs. Fantastic!
Doing twelve drumsticks as i type this….
GREAT RECIPE!
Thanks, Michael! I’m so glad you loved it! The recipe serving size is planned around having a few side dishes as well, but all recipes are able to be doubled as needed.
I’ve found it’s easier for people to double recipes than half them.
Hi this is super yummy chicken! My hubby and I love it. Very easy peasy. Thank you for the recipe 😊
So glad you enjoyed it, Tams! 🙂
Thanks for a great chicken recipe! I made this last night in my new 5.8 Cosori air fryer. The chicken drumsticks were so juicy and tender i cooked five drumsticks ,when they were done i cooked 3 small breast. The family loved the chicken and my grandson ask if i could make some more today.
I first purchased a 2qt.air fryer, i wasn’t sure if i would like it, well i love it, I’ve made French fries, chicken nuggets,shimp and home made potato wedges in the 2.qt. air fryer and they turned out so good. My husband said i needed a bigger one and of course i agreed, so i decided on the 5.8 cosori and it got here real fast from Amazon. And its awesome! I can’t wait to try all the air fryer recipes that you have posted especially the veggie ones, thanks again for a great recipe that i know i will make again and again. Oh and my daughter was so happy that i love air frying, i gave her the 2 qt air fryer, perfect for one.
So glad your family loved the chicken, Sandra! The Cosori was a great pick. That’s the air fryer I use as well and love it! Vegetables are amazing in there as well, so I know they are going to love those too. 🙂
I am not sure I have ever seen skinless chicken legs……do you buy them that way or do you take the skin off yourself? is it necessary to use skinless legs? Thanks.
Hi Kay, I have used chicken drumsticks with skin on them as well and it turns out great!
Absolutely love this recipe! It has become my favorite BBQ Chicken recipe! 2 weeks ago I did 6 drumsticks in my Ninja Dual air fryer and they turned out totally awesome!! Tonight I’m going to try doing just 4 thighs with no changes to the recipe or instructions, and hoping I can get the timing right. Thank you for an awesome recipe. Looking forward to more!!!
I have very picky waters in my house one thing we all enjoy is BBQ chicken. We have switched to air frying because of my health. Thanks for a delicious take on BBQ chicken
I adapted this for mini chicken fillets too (with less cooking time, obvs) and was delicious. Have also done this as is with drumsticks. Amazing recipe, thank you (I’m UK) X
Should I put filter paper in the fryer?
You can use parchment paper or a silicone liner to help with clean up, but it’s not required.
Tried your recipe and loved it will be looking gor more recipes on your site thank you so much
I’m so glad you loved it, Diane! Enjoy!
I live alone but LOVE to eat good food, so I cooked 3 legs and cut the seasonings/oil mix in half. Cooked for 5 minutes at the end (3 was not quite enough for the largest leg). All 3 were WONDERFUL…moist, tender and just perfect. I had this for dinner last night with my well loved potato salad and cranberry sauce. It was so great, I am making it again for my lunch. Thanks! It seems that lately, all of the recipes I decide to make on the internet, have your pic and name on them. Keep up the good work!!
I’m so thrilled you enjoyed the recipe, Patricia! It sounds like you had a fantastic meal.
This worked exactly as written, thanks! The wife said it was the best chicken ever.
Hi William, I’m so happy to hear you and your wife enjoyed the recipe! Enjoy!