Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks ( BBQ Rub with Coffee and Garlic)

The air fryer chicken drumsticks was the third recipe I tried after Air Fryer chicken wings and potato chips and the drumsticks came out deliciously outstanding from the first try. Beautifully browned with extra crispy skin on the outside and juicy tender on the inside. Recipe tested using Ninja Foodi grill, Cuisinart Air Fryer oven, and Instant Vortex.

For this recipe, I decided to season the chicken legs with dry spices and a bit of oil. My neighbor just gifted me this Trader Joe's BBQ Rub and seasoning with coffee and garlic. He uses it for his barbecue often and swears by it. Although I didn't want to rub my chicken with coffee, this dry rub has an amazing aroma. And once the meat was cooked the flavor penetrated in its entirety of the chicken legs leaving every bite yummy! No, your meat is not going to taste like coffee at all 🙂

Ingredients:

• 6 chicken drumsticks
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 2-3 teaspoon Trader Joe's BBQ Rub with Coffee and Garlic (Directions on the tin says to coat generously, so go for it)

PS: Please Save this Pinterest-friendly photo below. If you don't try this chicken drumsticks recipe now, you will easily find them in your saves later.

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, add drumsticks. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat.
2. Sprinkle BBQ Coffee rub, salt, and garlic powder over drumsticks and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Pre-heat air fryer for 3 minutes. Place chicken legs onto the cooking tray. Do not overcrowd, give them some space.
4. On the display panel, select Air Fry mode (Air Crisp), then adjust the temperature to 390 degrees and the time to 25 minutes, then touch START.
5. Flip halfway.
6. When the timer beeps done, remove, let cool a little, and serve hot. Enjoy the deliciously juicy and crispy drumsticks

For the side dipping sauce may I suggest this homemade Chipotle sauce? The delicious easy sauce that you can make in 5 minutes. Garlicky, smooth, creamy, and spicy to perfection!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. This recipe and air fryer is a keeper. The handy printable is below.

Recipe notes: For the best flavor, coat steaks, meat, or poultry for an hour or longer before cooking.

Disclosure: This recipe is not sponsored in any way or form. Affiliate links are present. I recommend what I love and use in my own kitchen.

You may also enjoy:

Air Fryer Masala Chicken Drumsticks.
Crispy Drumsticks with mustard sauce.
Air fryer sweet sticky spicy and savory honey buffalo chicken wings.

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Yield: 6

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks (w/ BBQ Rub with Coffee and Garlic)

Print

One of my favorite meats to cook in the Air Fryer is chicken drumsticks. I love how they always turn out juicy tender, and crispy. No breading involved.

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

• 6 chicken drumsticks
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 2-3 tsp Trader Joe's BBQ Rub with Coffee and Garlic (Directions on the tin says to coat generously, so go for it)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, add drumsticks. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat.
2. Sprinkle BBQ Coffee rub, salt, and garlic powder over drumsticks and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Pre-heat air fryer for 3 minutes. Place chicken legs onto the cooking tray. Do not overcrowd, give them some space.
4. On the display panel, select Air Fry mode (Air Crisp), then adjust the temperature to 390 degrees and the time to 25 minutes, then touch START.
5. Flip halfway.
6. When the timer beeps done, remove, let cool a little, and serve hot. Enjoy the deliciously juicy and crispy drumsticks