Description
Crispy, juicy chicken drumsticks glazed with a tangy, sweet BBQ sauce, made effortlessly in an air fryer. This quick recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in under 30 minutes, perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
5 lbs chicken drumsticks (bone-in, skin-on)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup BBQ sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (alcohol-free if needed)
Instructions
Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C)
Pat drumsticks dry and season with salt, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and cayenne. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat
Place drumsticks in air fryer basket in a single layer, skin-side up
Air fry for 20 minutes
In a bowl, mix BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce
Brush glaze over drumsticks, then air fry for an additional 5 minutes until sticky and caramelized
Notes
Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally. For extra flavor, marinate drumsticks in the seasoning blend for 1–2 hours before cooking. Serve with coleslaw or cornbread for a complete meal. Glaze can be substituted with store-bought BBQ sauce (ensure no pork lard/ham).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 drumsticks
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 100mg