2-Ingredient Air Fryer BBQ Drumsticks
Easy, Juicy, Crispy & a Total Family Favorite
These air fryer BBQ drumsticks are one of those “how is this so good with so little effort?” recipes. With just two ingredients, you get crispy skin, juicy meat, and sticky BBQ goodness—all without turning on your oven or firing up the grill.
This recipe is kid-approved, budget-friendly, and perfect for weeknights, game days, or meal prep.
Ingredients (That’s It!)
You only need:
- Chicken Drumsticks
- 6–10 drumsticks (about 2–2½ lbs)
- Fresh or fully thawed
- BBQ Sauce
- About ½ to ¾ cup
- Use your favorite brand (sweet, smoky, spicy, or honey-style)
That’s it. No oil. No seasoning. No flour. No eggs.
Equipment Needed
- Air fryer (basket or oven-style)
- Tongs
- Small bowl (optional, for sauce)
- Meat thermometer (recommended but optional)
Air Fryer Temperature & Time
- Temperature: 380°F (193°C)
- Total Cook Time: 22–26 minutes
- Internal Temp Goal: 165°F (74°C)
Step-by-Step Instructions (VERY Detailed)
STEP 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Remove drumsticks from packaging.
- Pat them very dry with paper towels.
- This helps the skin get crispy instead of soggy.
- Trim off any excess skin or fat if desired (optional).
Dry chicken = crispy chicken
STEP 2: Preheat the Air Fryer (Highly Recommended)
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 3–5 minutes.
- This gives the chicken an immediate heat blast, helping it crisp up faster.
STEP 3: First Cook – No Sauce Yet
- Place drumsticks in the air fryer basket:
- Arrange in a single layer
- Do not stack or overcrowd
- Cook at 380°F for 10 minutes.
- Flip drumsticks using tongs.
- Cook another 8 minutes.
At this stage:
- Chicken should be mostly cooked
- Skin will be lightly golden
- Fat will have rendered
STEP 4: Sauce Time
- Remove drumsticks and place them in a bowl.
- Pour BBQ sauce over the chicken.
- Toss gently until fully coated.
Tip:
- Use less sauce if you like sticky glaze
- Use more sauce if you want them extra saucy
STEP 5: Final Cook – Caramelize the Sauce
- Return sauced drumsticks to air fryer.
- Cook at 380°F for 4–6 minutes.
- Flip once halfway through.
The BBQ sauce will:
- Thicken
- Caramelize
- Stick beautifully to the chicken
Watch closely! BBQ sauce contains sugar and can burn if overcooked.
STEP 6: Check for Doneness
- Insert thermometer into thickest part (not touching bone)
- Must read 165°F (74°C)
If needed:
- Cook in 2-minute increments until done
STEP 7: Rest & Serve
- Let drumsticks rest 3–5 minutes
- This keeps the juices inside
- Sauce will thicken even more
Serving Suggestions
These BBQ drumsticks pair perfectly with:
- Mashed potatoes
- Coleslaw
- Corn on the cob
- Mac and cheese
- Air fryer fries
- Steamed broccoli or green beans
- Biscuits or dinner rolls
Kid-Friendly Tips
- Use sweet BBQ sauce (no spice)
- Serve with ranch or ketchup for dipping
- Remove skin if kids prefer it that way
- Great finger food for toddlers (cut meat off bone)
Easy Variations (Still Simple!)
Spicy BBQ
- Use spicy BBQ sauce
- Or mix BBQ with hot sauce
Honey BBQ
- Choose honey BBQ sauce
- Extra sticky and sweet
Hawaiian BBQ
- Use pineapple BBQ sauce
- Serve with rice
BBQ-Lemon
- Add a squeeze of lemon after cooking (optional)
Storage & Reheating
Storing:
- Cool completely
- Store in airtight container
- Refrigerate up to 4 days
Reheating:
- Air fryer at 350°F for 5–7 minutes
- Avoid microwave if you want crispy skin
Can You Freeze Them?
Yes!
- Freeze cooked drumsticks (without extra sauce)
- Store up to 3 months
- Reheat from frozen at 360°F for 10–12 minutes
- Add fresh BBQ sauce at the end
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overcrowding the basket
Adding sauce too early
Skipping the flip
Not drying the chicken
Cooking at too high temp (burns sauce)