• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
A Grill for All Seasons
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Recipe Index
    • Smoking
    • Grilling
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Main Dish
    • Side Dish
    • Dessert
    • Keto & Low Carb
    • Gluten-Free
    • Air Fryer
    • Beverages & Cocktails
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • All Recipes
  • Smoking
  • Grilling
  • Main Dish
  • Side Dish
  • Appetizers & Snacks
  • Dessert
  • Air Fryer
  • Keto & Low Carb
  • Beverages & Cocktails
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • All Recipes
    • Smoking
    • Grilling
    • Main Dish
    • Side Dish
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert
    • Air Fryer
    • Keto & Low Carb
    • Beverages & Cocktails
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Air Fryer » Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

    Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

    Published: Mar 25, 2022

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Yummly
    Jump to Recipe
    pinterest image for air fryer bbq chicken

    Air Fryer BBQ Chicken is a delicious way to enjoy chicken legs! Enjoy the crispy, juicy taste of BBQ chicken any time of year. Cook delicious, crispy chicken in minutes. No more frying pans or messy oil fryers.

    overhead shot of air fryer bbq chicken

    This recipe is perfect for a family dinner or entertaining guests. You can even make it ahead and toss the chicken on the grill for a few minutes to heat them up when you’re ready to serve. I like to make this family favorite the night before so all I have to do is warm them up again in the air fryer or on the grill.

    Air fryer BBQ chicken is chicken that has been air fried and then coated in a barbecue sauce. Air frying chicken drumsticks ensures the skin is crisp and the meat is tender. Add the barbecue sauce after cooking for perfect barbecue chicken every time. It is one of our favorite easy dinner ideas.

    overhead shot of air fryer bbq chicken on a plate with grilled broccolini and boursin mashed potatoes

    Ingredients

    Bone-In Chicken Legs - Classic bbq chicken is always drumsticks in my mind. We like all kinds of chicken with sweet sticky barbecue sauce but chicken legs are the classic type of chicken used for smoking and BBQs.

    Kosher Salt & Black Pepper - We decided to keep the seasoning simple on these and just use some salt and pepper to let the flavor of the sauce, added after cooking, shine through.

    raw chicken legs

    How to Make Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

    Step One: Preheat the air fryer to 400, spray the basket and rack with cooking spray.

    Step Two: Season the chicken with your favorite seasonings. Add it to the air fryer basket in a single layer.

    raw drumsticks on plate

    Step Three: Cook until the internal temperature is 160 on a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the chicken, about 20 minutes. Remove from the air fryer, brush with some bbq sauce, and enjoy!

    plate covered with barbecue drumsticks

    Variations

    Dry Rub - There are many different dry rubs that can be used on bbq chicken. Some of the most popular options include brown sugar, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika, and cumin. Experiment with different combinations of seasoning blends to find the perfect one for your taste preferences.

    Barbecue Sauce - There are many different types of bbq sauce that you can use on bbq chicken. Also, this recipe also works well with a number of different sauces. Some of the most popular options include Kansas City-style sauce, Memphis-style sauce, and Texas-style sauce. We encourage you to try our Hot Honey BBQ Sauce! It is sweet, spicy, and delicious!

    close up of air fried chicken leg with bbq sauce

    Common Questions

    What is air frying?

    Air frying is similar to deep frying but with little or no oil. The natural oil in the food, in this case, the chicken skin, crisps instead.

    Can you make BBQ chicken in an air fryer?

    Yes, you can air fry BBQ chicken. That's what this is all about!

    First, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees. Then, season your chicken breasts with your favorite BBQ seasoning. Next, place the chicken in the air fryer and cook for 10-12 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. The time will vary based on the cut of chicken. Boneless tenders cook the fastest. Air fryer bbq chicken breast takes a little longer. Finally, enjoy your delicious BBQ chicken!

    Can you air fry bbq chicken wings?

    To make air fryer bbq chicken wings, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, season your chicken wings with your favorite barbecue sauce. Place the chicken wings in the air fryer, and cook for 20 minutes. Serve hot and enjoy!

    Can you air fry bbq chicken thighs?

    Yes, you can air fry bbq chicken thighs. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F and cook the chicken for 15 minutes.

    close up of air fryer bbq chicken legs on a plate

    What should I serve with BBQ chicken?

    Air fryer barbecue chicken is a dish that can be served with a variety of side dishes. Some popular side dishes that pair well with BBQ chicken include coleslaw, corn on the cob, Skillet Mac and Cheese, and potato salad.

    How do I store leftovers?

    Store any leftovers form the air fryer chicken recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can reheat in the air fryer, in a hot skillet, on a sheet pan in the oven, or on the grill. If you reheat in the microwave the skin with be soggy.

    I hope you enjoy this air fryer bbq chicken recipe!

    overhead shot of air fryer bbq chicken on a plate with grilled broccolini and boursin mashed potatoes

     

    Like what you see? Follow us on Facebook! Love this recipe? Leave a comment & a 5-star rating right here! Make sure you don’t miss new recipes by getting email updates!

     

    overhead shot of air fryer bbq chicken

    Air Fryer BBQ Chicken

    Air Fryer BBQ Chicken is a delicious way to enjoy chicken legs! Enjoy the crispy, juicy taste of BBQ chicken in minutes all year long.
    Print Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 1 minute
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 21 minutes
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 276kcal
    Author: Taryn

    Equipment

    Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 8 chicken legs
    • 1 tsp salt
    • ½ tsp pepper
    US Customary - Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat the air fryer to 400 and spray the basket with cooking spray.
    • Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add to the air fryer basket in a single layer.
      raw drumsticks on plate
    • Cook for 20-25 minutes until crisp and 160 when checked with a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken.
      plate covered with barbecue drumsticks
    • Brush with your favorite bbq sauce and serve immediately.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1chicken leg | Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.3g | Protein: 21.1g | Fat: 20.6g | Saturated Fat: 5.6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8.5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 119.8mg | Sodium: 398.9mg | Potassium: 263.2mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 119.2IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 12.3mg | Iron: 0.9mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @agrillforallseasons or tag #agrillforallseasons!
    « Mini Egg Brownies
    Moink Balls »
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Yummly

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Josh

      March 29, 2022 at 11:39 pm

      These are great. Perfect for game night. Thanks.5 stars

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    ABOUT

    paul and taryn sitting on a bench

    Hi, we are Paul & Taryn! We love creating recipes and sharing our passion for food. At A Grill for All Seasons we focus on simple recipes for every month of the year.

    More about us →

    Latest Posts

    • Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
    • Smoked Swordfish
    • Cast Iron Biscuits
    • Pink Paloma
    • Traeger Brisket

    NEWSLETTER

    Recipes All Year!

    Signup to find out about new recipes!

     


    SEASONAL RECIPES

    • Bacon Wrapped Salmon
    • Cast Iron Scallops
    • Air Fryer Cornbread
    • Smoked Pecans

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Disclaimers

    • Privacy Policy
    • Nutrition Disclaimer
    • Comment Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • About

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2018-2022 A Grill for All Seasons