Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Legs

If you are a BBQ chicken fan, then you’ll love this recipe for air fryer BBQ chicken legs!

With the help of your trusty air fryer, you can have juicy, flavorful chicken legs in just a fraction of the time.

All you’ll need is some chicken legs and your favorite BBQ sauce to get started. That’s it.

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, it’s time to get cooking!

One of the best things about cooking chicken legs in the air fryer is that they come out perfectly crispy on the outside, while still being moist and juicy.

And because the air fryer cooks food quickly and evenly, you don’t have to worry about dry or undercooked spots.

So the next time you’re in the mood for BBQ chicken legs, try this air fryer recipe! It’s a quick, easy, and delicious way to enjoy one of your favorite summer dishes all year round.

Enjoy these other delicious air fryer chicken leg recipes: Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Legs, Air Fryer Chicken Legs with Dry Rub Seasoning, and Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Legs.

❤️ Why you’ll love this easy air fryer recipe

Budget Friendly – Chicken legs are very cheap per pound. Plus you can buy the family pack version and save even more per pound typically. Just freeze the rest until you’re ready to use them.
Easy Recipe – With only two ingredients, this chicken leg recipe is super easy to make.
Meal Prep – these BBQ chicken drumsticks are great for meal prep! Whip up some of your favorite sides to serve with it.

Ingredients

Chicken Legs – you can also use chicken leg quarters if you can’t find chicken legs
BBQ Sauce – I used Sweet Baby Rays Honey BBQ Sauce. You can make your own (be on the lookout for my homemade BBQ Sauce soon) Or buy a store-bought BBQ sauce.

ingredient photo for air fryer bbq chicken legs

✳️ Tips & Tricks

Some of the chicken legs need the skin to be pulled/ stretched to cover the leg. This ensures you don’t get a mouth full of skin and no meat when you bite into it.
Once the timer goes off on the air fryer make sure the internal temperature is 165F.
You always want to make sure you remove the chicken right away to ensure you don’t dry out the chicken.

Tools to make this BBQ Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer

Cosori Air Fryer – this is my favorite air fryer. The large air fryer basket makes it so easy to cook your favorite recipes
Tongs – tongs are easiest to remove and flip the chicken
Meat thermometer – You always want to make sure the internal temperature of ANY chicken 165F.

How to make Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Legs

If needed, stretch the chicken leg’s skin over the chicken.
Place the chicken legs into a ziplock bag.
Pour the BBQ sauce over the chicken. Seal the bag making sure you remove the air from the bag. Toss the chicken around to make sure they all get coated in the sauce.
Transfer to the air fryer basket and cook at 390F for 14 minutes flipping halfway through.
Grab a basting brush and add more bbq sauce to the chicken and cook at 390F for another 3 minutes. Flip the chicken and add bbq sauce to the other side. Cook For another 3 minutes.
Once the timer goes off make sure the internal temperature is 165F.
Remove from the air fryer and serve.

chicken on a white plate with the skin stretched

Oven Directions

Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
Carefully stretch the chicken skin on the legs if needed.
Place the chicken legs into a ziplock bag and add the bbq sauce.
Remove the air from the bag and seal it. Toss the chicken legs around to make sure they get coated in the sauce.
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, spray with oil, and place the chicken legs onto the baking sheet.
Transfer to the oven and cook for 40 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165F.
Once the timer goes off remove and serve.

Substitutions

If you don’t have chicken legs or chicken drumsticks, you can substitute chicken leg quarters or chicken thighs instead.

What to serve with BBQ Chicken Legs

These air fryer BBQ chicken drumsticks are great as an appetizer since they’re finger foods. Messy albeit. Finger licking good.

But if you want to have them as a meal, why not serve them with some potato salad, baked beans, or coleslaw for a traditional BBQ-themed meal?

How to store

Store leftovers in an airtight glass container for up to 5 days.

♨️ How to reheat

Remove the lid from the glass container and microwave on high for 1 to 1.5 minutes or until the chicken is warm. Alternatively, you can transfer to a microwave save plate to warm up.

If you want to warm this up in your air fryer, cook it for 2-3 minutes at 400F.

❓FAQs

How long does it take to cook drumsticks in an air fryer?

Cook them at 390F for 18 minutes flipping halfway through.

Can you cook raw drumsticks in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook raw drumsticks in the air fryer. Simply follow my directions in the recipe card below.

Do you have to flip drumsticks in an air fryer?

Yes, you will flip the drumsticks in the air fryer.

black air fryer with cooked chicken inside

More Air Fryer Chicken Leg Recipes

If you loved this recipe for these easy BBQ Chicken Legs in the air fryer, check out these other air fryer chicken drumstick recipes.