Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Legs
User Reviews
5
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Legs
Description
This recipe uses bone-in chicken drumsticks coated in olive oil and a spice mix including salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, and onion powder. Preheating the air fryer ensures even cooking, and the chicken legs are cooked in a single layer so hot air circulates properly for crispy skin. After an initial cooking phase, the drumsticks are flipped and cooked again to ensure thoroughness.
Once nearly cooked through, the chicken is brushed on both sides with barbecue sauce and cooked briefly more to glaze the sauce onto the skin, adding sweetness and smoky flavor. The recommended internal temperature is 165°F, but cooking to a higher temperature yields fall-off-the-bone tenderness.
Air fryer BBQ chicken legs are suitable for quick weeknight meals and pairs well with classic sides. Leftover chicken can be refrigerated up to four days and reheated, maintaining moisture if done carefully. It’s advised not to stack drumsticks during cooking to ensure even heat distribution.
Properly seasoning before cooking enhances flavor and skin crispiness. Cleaning the air fryer after cooking raw chicken is important for hygiene. Adjust cooking time based on drumstick size to ensure doneness.
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumstick
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper ground
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl combine all the spices and herbs, set mixture aside.
- Place chicken in a plastic resealable bag or bowl. Add olive oil and toss to coat.
- Add spice mixture to bag or bowl and toss to coat chicken legs.
- Place chicken drumsticks in an air fryer basket and cook at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Do not stack chicken legs, you may need to do this in batches. You want the air to be able to circulate around them.
- Flip chicken drumsticks over and cook for an additional 10 minutes at 400 degrees.
- Brush chicken legs with BBQ sauce on top side, flip and brush chicken legs again. Close the air fryer basket and cook 2-3 more minutes or until BBQ sauce is glazed.
- Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, if it is not this temperature add a few more minutes of cooking time and check after that. I actually prefer my chicken legs about 180-190 degrees so they fall off the bone and there’s no bloody spots around the bone.
Notes
- Cook chicken drumsticks for about 23-25 minutes at 400°F, adjusting time based on thickness for proper doneness.
- Do not stack drumsticks in the air fryer; cook in a single layer for even heat circulation.
- Season the drumsticks before cooking to enhance flavor and crisp skin texture.
- Store leftover BBQ chicken legs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days; reheat in oven or microwave.
- Clean the air fryer thoroughly after cooking raw chicken to maintain hygiene.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 433 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 433kcal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 31g | 10% |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 139mg | 46% |
| Sodium | 1477mg | 62% |
| Potassium | 540mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 24g | 48% |
| Vitamin A | 638IU | 13% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 45mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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