Easy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

4.51 from 140 votes

My recipe for air fryer chicken drumsticks is easy to make and creates tender and juicy drumsticks filled with BBQ flavor.

Prep Time5

Cook Time25

Total Time30

Course: Air Fryer Recipes

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 297kcal

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!

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.