Air fryer recipe · Mains
BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Sticky smoky drumsticks with a deep red rub, crisp on the outside.
- 28 minTotal time
- 190°CAir fryer
- 6Serves
- Non-vegetarianDiet
Nutrition per serving
- 110kcal
- 17.3 gprotein
- 2.8 gcarbs
- 3.4 gfat
- 0.2 gfibre
Per serving, about 6 servings. Figures are estimates from standard ingredient databases, not medical, dietetic, or nutritional advice.
Ingredients
- chicken drumsticks6
- bbq sauce4 tbsp
- paprika1 tsp
- garlic powder1 tsp
- brown sugar1 tbsp
- salt1 tsp
Method
Rub the drumsticks
Pat the drumsticks fully dry, then mix the paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar and salt and rub it all over. Drying the skin first is key, as a dry surface crisps and browns, while a wet one just steams and stays pale.
Coat with BBQ sauce
Brush half the BBQ sauce over the drumsticks and let them sit for 10 minutes. The short rest lets the sauce and rub settle into the surface, so the flavour clings on instead of dripping off in the basket.
Load the basket
Place the drumsticks in a single layer with space between each piece. Crowding traps steam and leaves them soft, while gaps let hot air reach all around so the skin firms up and browns on every side.
Air fry
Air fry at 190°C for 20 minutes, turning halfway. Turning the drumsticks over partway browns them evenly all round and lets the thick, meaty side cook through as well as the part that faced the heat first.
Glaze and finish
Brush the rest of the BBQ sauce over the drumsticks and air fry at 190°C for 8 min, until the chicken reaches 74°C inside and the juices run clear. Glazing at the end lets the sauce caramelise without burning.
