¾ cup ketchup

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

¼ cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons honey

½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon ground mustard

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

2–3 lbs chicken drumsticks (about 6–8 large drumsticks)

Salt and pepper, to taste

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Make the BBQ sauce: In a small bowl, mix together ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, ground mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until fully combined.
Season the chicken: Season the chicken drumsticks with salt and pepper on all sides.
Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
Prepare the chicken: Lightly coat the chicken drumsticks with a thin layer of cooking spray or brush with a small amount of oil to ensure crispiness.
Air fry the chicken: Place the drumsticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they aren’t overcrowded. Air fry at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even crispiness.
Heat the sauce: While the chicken is cooking, warm up some of the BBQ sauce in a small saucepan over low heat.
Brush with BBQ sauce: Once the chicken drumsticks are done, remove them from the air fryer and brush with the warm BBQ sauce on all sides.
Finish cooking: Return the sauced drumsticks to the air fryer and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes to allow the sauce to set and become sticky.
Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy your perfectly cooked BBQ chicken drumsticks!

For extra crispiness, coat the drumsticks with a thin layer of oil or cooking spray before air frying.

Feel free to use store-bought BBQ sauce if you’re short on time.

Leftover drumsticks can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

If using frozen drumsticks, add 5-10 minutes to the cooking time and ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).