Are you craving that delicious BBQ chicken flavor but don’t want to fire up the grill? I’ve got good news for you! Your air fryer is about to become your new best friend. I’ve been perfecting my air fryer BBQ chicken recipe for years, and I’m excited to share all my tips and tricks with you today.
Air fryer BBQ chicken is a game-changer – it’s quick, easy, and gives you that perfect combination of crispy exterior and juicy interior that we all love Plus, it’s way less messy than traditional grilling or oven baking!
Why You’ll Love Making BBQ Chicken in Your Air Fryer
Before we dive into the recipe, let me tell you why air fryer BBQ chicken has become my go-to dinner option:
- Quick cooking time – only takes about 20 minutes!
- Super juicy results with that perfect crispy skin
- No need to fire up the grill or heat up your kitchen with the oven
- Easy cleanup compared to grilling or stovetop cooking
- Works year-round regardless of weather
- Healthier option as it requires less oil
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s gather everything we need for this amazing air fryer BBQ chicken:
For the Chicken:
- 2 lbs of chicken legs or drumsticks (butterflied)
- Your favorite BBQ sauce (or try my homemade Asian BBQ sauce below!)
For the Marinade:
- ½ cup lime soda (Sprite works great too!)
- 1 cup banana ketchup (regular ketchup works as a substitute)
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ½ can pineapple chunks
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 6 cloves smashed garlic
- 1 teaspoon pepper
For the Asian BBQ Sauce (Optional but Recommended):
- 1 cup banana ketchup (or regular ketchup)
- ½ can pineapple chunks
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 3 cloves smashed garlic
Equipment You’ll Need
- Air fryer (any model works fine)
- Small saucepan (for the BBQ sauce)
- Bowl with lid (for marinating)
- Knife or kitchen shears
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Pastry brush (for basting)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Chicken
First things first, we need to get our chicken ready for that delicious marinade.
-
Butterfly the chicken drumsticks using a knife or kitchen shears This step is super important because it allows the marinade to penetrate better and helps the chicken cook more evenly,
-
Mix your marinade ingredients in a bowl with a lid. Combine the lime soda banana ketchup soy sauce, pineapple chunks, brown sugar, smashed garlic, and pepper.
-
Pour the marinade over the chicken legs, making sure they’re completely coated. Cover the container and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. But honestly, if you can leave it overnight, the flavor will be even better!
2. Make the Asian BBQ Sauce
While your chicken is marinating, let’s make that awesome BBQ sauce.
-
Combine all sauce ingredients in a small saucepan: banana ketchup, pineapple chunks, brown sugar, soy sauce, and smashed garlic.
-
Bring it to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes.
-
Remove from heat and set aside until you’re ready to use it.
3. Air Fry the Chicken
Now for the main event – air frying that beautiful marinated chicken!
-
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes.
-
Arrange the chicken legs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, placing them skin side down first.
-
Air fry for about 20 minutes at 400°F (200°C), flipping them halfway through cooking time.
-
Baste the chicken several times during cooking with the marinade for extra flavor.
-
Check the internal temperature – it should reach 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the chicken to ensure it’s properly cooked.
-
During the last few minutes of cooking, brush the chicken legs with the Asian BBQ sauce. This adds an amazing layer of flavor and helps create that sticky, delicious BBQ coating we all love.
-
Remove from the air fryer once done and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Pro Tips for Perfect Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
After making this recipe countless times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make all the difference:
1. Butterfly Those Drumsticks!
Don’t skip this step! Butterflying (cutting along the bone to open up the meat) helps the chicken cook faster and more evenly. Plus, it creates more surface area for that delicious marinade and sauce.
2. Marinate Properly
Take the time to marinate for at least 30 minutes, but overnight is even better. The longer the chicken soaks in those flavors, the tastier it’ll be!
3. Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer
Work in batches if needed. Giving each piece of chicken enough space ensures proper air circulation, which is key for that crispy exterior.
4. Baste, Baste, Baste!
Frequent basting during cooking keeps the chicken moist and adds layers of flavor. Don’t be shy with that brush!
5. Use a Meat Thermometer
The safest way to know when your chicken is done is to check the internal temperature. It should reach 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part.
Variations to Try
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, why not experiment with these tasty variations?
Spicy BBQ Chicken Legs
Add these ingredients to the original marinade:
- 1-2 teaspoons hot sauce or sriracha
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Smoky BBQ Chicken Legs
- Replace lime soda with ½ cup cola
- Use hickory-flavored barbecue sauce instead of banana ketchup
- Add 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- Include 1 teaspoon paprika and ½ teaspoon cumin
Try Different Cuts of Chicken
This recipe works great with:
- Chicken thighs (cook for 18-22 minutes)
- Chicken wings (cook for 16-20 minutes)
- Chicken breasts (butterfly them for even cooking)
Storage and Reheating
Made too much? No problem! Here’s how to store and reheat your air fryer BBQ chicken:
Storage
Allow the chicken to cool to room temperature, then place in an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Reheating
The air fryer is perfect for reheating too! Just pop the chicken back in at 375°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes until heated through. This maintains that crispy exterior much better than microwave reheating.
Common Questions About Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
How long does it take to cook chicken legs in an air fryer?
Typically about 20-25 minutes at 400°F (200°C). However, cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chicken pieces and your specific air fryer model. Always check the internal temperature to be sure!
What temperature should I BBQ chicken in an air fryer?
The sweet spot is between 380°F to 400°F (193°C to 200°C). This temperature range gives you that perfect golden-brown exterior while keeping the inside juicy.
Is it better to air fry or grill chicken?
Both methods have their advantages! Air frying is quicker, easier to clean up, and works year-round regardless of weather. Grilling gives you that authentic smoky flavor that’s hard to replicate. I personally prefer the air fryer for convenience, but both are delicious!
Can I use store-bought BBQ sauce instead of making my own?
Absolutely! While homemade sauce has amazing flavor, your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce works great too when you’re short on time.
What to Serve with Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
Complete your meal with these delicious side dishes that pair perfectly with BBQ chicken:
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Garlic Fried Rice
- Pasta salad
- Potato salad
- Sweet potato fries
- Coleslaw
- Corn on the cob
- Garden salad
Final Thoughts
Air fryer BBQ chicken has honestly been a life-changer in my kitchen. It’s one of those recipes that’s impressive enough for guests but easy enough for busy weeknights. The combination of that crispy exterior, juicy interior, and sticky BBQ glaze is absolutely irresistible!
Remember, the key to amazing air fryer BBQ chicken is in the butterflying technique, proper marination, and generous basting. Follow these steps, and you’ll have perfect BBQ chicken every single time – no grill required!
Now fire up that air fryer and get cooking! Your taste buds will thank you.
Have you tried making BBQ chicken in your air fryer before? What’s your favorite marinade or sauce to use? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Why Air Fryer BBQ Chicken?
Who’s ready for BBQ season? If you’re a foodie, you know one of the reasons to love summer is summer barbecue or grill!
Traditional BBQ chicken uses chicken parts or whole chicken that is coated in a dry rub and/or bbq sauce and then cooked in a grill either low-and-slow with the lid closed or on a high heat with the lid open.
Growing up in the the Philippines, BBQ and grilling reminds me of Filipino Pork Barbecue.
But being in North America, it reminds me of Texas BBQ like brisket and ribs.
Since I live in a condo, I don’t have a grill and am not allowed to have one in my unit.
With the success of my Air Fryer BBQ Pork Tenderloin and Instant Pot BBQ Ribs, I wanted to make another bbq recipe using different meat.
Now you can make delicious barbecue chicken without using a grill at home.
The result was amazing.
The bbq chicken came out tender and juicy!
Best of all, because of the heating power of the air fryer, the barbecue sauce actually caramelizes on the chicken giving it the look and taste we want when grilling.
What You Need For Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
I used the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven TOA-60 for this recipe. The size is good enough to make a good batch of bbq chicken in air fryer.
This recipe will still work with other air fryers but you might need to adjust timing for best results.
And depending on capacity, you might need multiple run it in batches.
If your air fryer is bigger, you probably need to increase temperature or air frying duration. And vice-versa for smaller air fryers.
- Chicken – I used chicken drumsticks because it is one of the most tender cuts of chicken so it doesn’t become too tough in the air fryer. It is also one of the fattier chicken parts so you don’t really need to use oil. If you prefer leaner or healthier cut, you can use chicken breast, and look at my recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Breast for tips/settings for this cut.
- BBQ Sauce – you can use favourite brand of Barbecue sauce or homemade sauce. I included an easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe on my Air Fryer BBQ Pork Tenderloin.
- Garlic Salt – Since BBQ sauce is on the sweeter side, garlic salt adds a layer of garlicky salty taste.
- Black Pepper – To add a spicy kick to this barbecue chicken.