This Low Calorie Air Fryer BBQ Chicken is not only a budget friendly meal, it's delicious and quick to make. Only 2 ingredients are needed to make these drumsticks. Oven baked instructions included!
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Check out my Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Caesar Wraps and my Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast for more delicious chicken air fryer recipes!
There's no need to wait until summertime to enjoy barbecued food! It's delicious year round. With the use of the air fryer you don't have to go outside in the cold weather to brave the grill.
This recipe is perfect for low calorie bbq chicken!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Air fryer bbq chicken is a fast and easy choice for a busy weeknight dinner.
- They're ready in about 30 minutes!
- Crispy, juicy, and everything amazing with air fried food.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken: I use 5 drumsticks for this recipe.
- Sugar Free BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite brand and flavor.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Place the drumsticks in a large bowl and add a small bottle of BBQ sauce. Let the chicken marinate in the BBQ sauce for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Spray the bottom of your air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray, or use parchment paper liners. You can also brush olive oil to coat the basket to prevent sticking.
Step 3: Cook on 370 °F for 30 minutes. Flipping at the halfway mark. Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature of 165 °F.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. This can cause the chicken to cook uneven or be undercooked.
- Pat the chicken dry before tossing with the BBQ. The drier the skin, the crispier the chicken will be.
- Preheat the air fryer to get a more even cook on the drumsticks.
Variations
- Try different cuts of meat. Pork can also be used for this recipe.
- Coat the drumsticks in a spice rub before marinating in the BBQ sauce for more flavor.
- Love some spice? Add a dash of hot sauce, sriracha or red pepper flakes to your sauce.
Oven Baked BBQ Chicken
- Place the chicken drumsticks in a large bowl.
- Add the entire 18-ounce bottle of sugar-free BBQ sauce to the bowl with the chicken. Coat the chicken evenly with the sauce. You can use your preferred brand and flavor of sugar-free BBQ sauce.
- Let the chicken marinate in the BBQ sauce for at least 30 minutes. This allows the chicken to absorb the flavors of the sauce. You can marinate it longer for more flavor if desired.
- Preheat the oven to 375 °F.
- While the oven is preheating, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This will make cleanup easier and prevent sticking.
- Remove the chicken drumsticks from the bowl and shake off any excess sauce.
- Place the chicken drumsticks on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, leaving some space between each piece.
- Bake the chicken for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F. Baking time may vary slightly depending on the size of the drumsticks and your oven, so it's essential to use a meat thermometer to be sure they are cooked to the right temperature.
- Once the chicken reaches 165 °F and the skin is crispy and browned, remove it from the oven.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps to lock in the juices and keep the chicken tender.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Cool, then place in an airtight container or zip top bag and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Cool drumsticks, then place in a freezer safe zip top bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 4 months.
Reheating: Reheat the chicken in the air fryer. Preheat to 350 °F by letting it warm up for a few minutes. Cook the chicken until it is hot, about 4 minutes. About 6 minutes if it's frozen.
Recipe FAQ's
No, this recipe is also delicious with wings and chicken breast too. However cooking times will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken.
Yes, if you don't like the skin on feel free to remove it.
You can, but you will need to cook them longer. You will want to add about 10 minutes, 5 minutes per side.
More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love
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Low Calorie Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
- 5 chicken drumsticks
- 18 ounces sugar free BBQ sauce use your favorite brand and flavor
Instructions
- Place the drumsticks in a large bowl and add a small bottle of BBQ sauce. Let the chicken marinate in the BBQ sauce for 30 minutes.
- Spray the bottom of your air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray, or use parchment paper liners. You can also brush olive oil to coat the basket to prevent sticking.
- Cook on 370°F for 30 minutes. Flipping at the halfway mark. Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature of 165°F.
Notes
- Different air fryer brands may cook at different rates, so be sure to keep on eye on food.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. This can cause the chicken to cook uneven or be undercooked.
- Pat the chicken dry before tossing with the BBQ. The drier the skin, the crispier the chicken will be.
- Preheat the air fryer to get a more even cook on the drumsticks.
- Storing: Cool then place in an airtight container or zip top bag and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing: Cool drumsticks, then place in a freezer safe zip top bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to 4 months.
- Reheating: Reheat the chicken in the air fryer. Preheat to 350 °F by letting it warm up for a few minutes. Cook the chicken until it is hot, about 4 minutes. About 6 minutes if it’s frozen.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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