Description
Quick and crispy chicken drumsticks glazed with a sweet, tangy homemade BBQ sauce, perfected in an air fryer in under 30 minutes. Juicy meat, smoky flavor, and a sticky finish make these drumsticks a weeknight favorite.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken drumsticks
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp molasses
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp yellow mustard
Instructions
Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C)
Pat drumsticks dry and season both sides with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, cumin, and cayenne
Place drumsticks in air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping
Air fry for 15 minutes
In air fryer, mix barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, molasses, brown sugar, and mustard to create glaze
Brush glaze over drumsticks and air fry for 5 more minutes until sticky and caramelized
Notes
Glaze can be doubled for thicker coating
Apple cider vinegar ensures non-alcoholic flavor depth
Chicken can be brined 1 hour in saltwater (1/4 tsp salt per cup water) for extra juiciness
Store leftovers in fridge up to 3 days
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drumstick
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 130mg