BBQ Chicken Legs In Air Fryer Recipe

These BBQ chicken legs in air fryer are an easy recipe made without firing up the grill and cook a lot faster and are so delicious. This air fryer recipe is about to become one of your family favorites!

Cooking BBQ chicken legs in air fryer is your quick and simple shortcut to a fantastic meal that the whole family will love! The preparation time for this recipe is only 10 minutes, so they’re a great choice if you’re entertaining and don’t want to spend the whole time in the kitchen.

Not only are these air fryer BBQ chicken legs easy to prepare, cooking them in the air fryer means that you get deliciously crispy skin. 

The crisp skin and succulent meat combined with the sticky sweetness of barbecue sauce go together wonderfully. Your only problem will be making sure the family doesn’t eat them all before you get a chance!

Unlike many other BBQ chicken leg recipes, I use a salt-free BBQ rub that permeates the whole chicken leg, rather than just coating the outside like a sauce on its own. 

Salt-free BBQ rubs are an excellent option for those watching your salt intake because the other herbs and spices mean that you won’t even miss it.

Ingredients

• Chicken drumsticks - when buying chicken, always ensure that the flesh is firm and springy so that it pops back into position if you press down on it, as this shows that the meat is fresh. It’s also important to check the color of the skin. Fresh chicken will be creamy white to deep yellow. Avoid any meat with a greyish tinge, as this could indicate that it’s off.
• Salt-free BBQ rub - I always use a salt-free BBQ rub because it means that you can add salt to your dish yourself. Some of the BBQ rubs on the market are a bit salt-heavy and can be overpowering.

**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**

How to cook BBQ chicken legs in air fryer

Step 1. Pat dry chicken legs with a paper towel. Rub oil all over the chicken legs, season with salt and pepper to taste; rub the bbq seasoning all around the drumsticks, including underneath the skin.

Step 2. Place the chicken legs in the air fryer basket and cook to 390ºF for 20 minutes, turning halfway through.

Step 3. Using a silicone brush, brush the legs with BBQ sauce all over the legs. Air fry for an additional 10 minutes or until the sauce is charred and sticky.  

Recipe tips

• Using dry BBQ rub won't tenderize the meat, so it’s OK to add the rub any length of time before cooking your air fryer BBQ chicken. For example, I like to get the chicken ready the night before so that when it comes to cooking, I can throw the chicken legs straight in the air fryer without any hassle.
• Always lay the BBQ chicken legs in a single layer in the basket - this allows the hot air to be passed around them more effectively. The hot air is what will give you crispy skin, and that’s the best part!

How long to cook BBQ chicken legs in the air fryer

As with any meat, the cooking time can vary depending on the size of your chicken legs. However, you can generally expect them to take around 20 minutes to cook at 390°F.

The best way to tell the doneness of fried chicken legs is by using a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the fleshiest part of the leg, avoiding the bone, check for a temperature of 165 degrees.

What to serve with BBQ chicken legs 

In the colder months, this air fryer chicken legs recipe is perfect served with potatoes and any roasted vegetables like broccoli, air fryer asparagus, air fryer green beans, and these air fryer baby carrots if you need some inspiration!

If it’s warmer out, these are perfectly enjoyed as part of an alfresco dinner with salad and slaw.

How to store air fryer BBQ chicken

You can store them safely in the fridge or freezer if you have leftover legs. 

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or the freezer for three months. 

You can also use a freezer-safe bag instead of a container to store them in the freezer. 

How to reheat BBQ chicken legs in the air fryer

The air fryer is the best way to reheat your chicken legs, as this will help keep the skin crisp and keep the meat from drying out.

To reheat BBQ chicken legs in the air fryer;

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and lay the drumsticks in a single layer. It will take around 6-8 minutes to reheat thoroughly. You can check that they have reached the correct temperature by using a meat thermometer.

After reheating, put a final slathering of BBQ sauce on them. 

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