These Baked chicken drumsticks are so crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and easy to make. Made with a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, it is the perfect chicken recipe to serve your guests all year round.
BBQ chicken drumsticks are everyone’s favorite at every party or gathering. Whether you choose to bake these chicken drumsticks in the oven or outdoors they will be a huge hit. The drumsticks are seasoned and marinated with garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground ginger, and salt and pepper. They are then baked to perfection before smothering them with BBQ sauce. Baked again to get that perfectly tender on the inside and crispy on the outside drumsticks.
Why this drumstick recipe is so good
- Super easy: Nothing much needed but a handful of spices, drumstick, and BBQ sauce. Simple and easy to put together and let the oven do most of the work!
- So tasty: the flavors of the spices used coupled with the BBQ will make these drumsticks finger-licking good!
- Healthy: No oil needed, you may even take off the skin and cook without it for a healthier option. Look for a low-sugar or sugar-free BBQ sauce too!
Ingredients you will need
Chicken drumsticks (about 12)
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Chili powder
Smoked paprika
Ground ginger
Salt
Pepper
Bbq sauce
How to make these drumsticks
- Mix the spices together: First, in a mixing bowl, add drumsticks, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, ginger, salt, and pepper.
- Marinate the chicken: Using your clean hands, generously rub the seasoning all over the drumsticks.
Refrigerate to allow the seasonings to penetrate the meat, for at least 30 minutes. - Preheat oven: Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350F and line a roasting tin with aluminum foil for easy
cleanup, if desired. - Bake the drumsticks: Then, transfer the chicken drumsticks to the prepared roasting tin arranging them on the wire rack with a little space in between. Bake, in the middle of the oven, for 40 minutes, flipping half time.
- Add the BBQ sauce: When the time is up, remove from the oven and brush each chicken drumstick with BBQ sauce. Return to the oven and bake for 10 minutes, then flip the drumsticks and repeat the process once again.
- Enjoy: Finally, serve immediately and enjoy them!
FAQ’s and tips
- Serving size is 2 drumsticks
- You may use boneless and skinless chicken breast for a healthier option a or thighs
- Use your favorite healthy BBQ sauce. You can find some with low sugar or even sugar-free
- Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes. If pressed for time you can skip marinating.
- Don’t forget to bake again after you add the BBQ sauce to get that extra crisp.
- Place leftovers in a container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave when ready to eat or you can bake for 10 mins or so in a preheated 350 oven.
- You can store in a ziplock bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
How long does it take for drumsticks to cook in the oven
Depending on the oven, drumsticks will take at minimum 40-50 minutes at 350-400 F to fully bake. Turn it over halfway through at 25-30 minutes and let it continue to bake. You will be able to tell when they look really crispy and tender to the touch of a fork or tongs. Another way to check is by using a thermometer until it reaches 160F or then the juices coming out of the chicken are no longer pink.
Are chicken drumsticks healthy
Chicken is healthier meat compared to red meat/beef. Even though the thighs, wings, and drumsticks aren’t as lean and healthy as the breast, the drumsticks are fairly low in fat and high in protein when cooked without the skin.
What do you eat with drumsticks
So much you can eat with drumsticks. The options are endless but we have a few ideas for you that you can check out. Try them with:
- Potato wedges like this garlic parmesan potato wedges or these crispy baked potato wedges
- Something low in carbs like this Cauliflower mash recipe
- Try it with some Homemade Hummus
- Roasted veggies like these Brussel Sprouts or this roasted cauliflower
- How about some salad like this simple Avocado Tomato Salad
More easy chicken recipes
- Healthy Chicken Alfredo Zoodles
- Easy Butter Chicken
- Broccoli Chicken Fritters
- Greek Chicken Salad
- Chicken Pasta Salad
- Chicken Cabbage Soup
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Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients
- 4 lb Chicken drumsticks about 12
- 2 tbsp Garlic powder
- 2 tbsp Onion powder
- 2 tbsp Chili powder
- 2 tbsp Smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp Ground ginger
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- 2 cups Sugar-free BBQ sauce or low sugar
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add drumsticks, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, ginger, salt, and pepper. Using your clean hands, generously rub the seasoning all over the drumsticks.
- Refrigerate to allow the seasonings to penetrate the meat, for at least 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile preheat the oven to 350F and line a roasting tin with aluminum foil for easy cleanup, if desired.
- Transfer the chicken drumsticks to the prepared roasting tin arranging them on the wire rack with a little space in between.
- Bake, in the middle of the oven, for 40 minutes, flipping half time.
- When the time is up, remove from the oven and brush each chicken drumstick with BBQ sauce. Return to the oven and bake for 10 minutes, then flip the drumsticks and repeat the process once again.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- You may use chicken breast or thighs
- Use your favorite healthy BBQ sauce
Marla G says
Terrific recipe – drumsticks turned out so juicy and delicious. Like others said I think they could be cooked longer so that’s what I did – 60 minutes plus the extra 20 with the sauce. But like someone said every oven is different.
Pat ivsac says
Best chicken I ever made!
Sue says
Great recipe–family really enjoyed the flavor! I liked your combination of spices very much!
I made 8 large legs (almost 2#). I mixed the spices in a gallon zip-loc; then added drumsticks and shook well. It’s easier than a bowl by far! I cooked them in a convection oven on 425 for a total of 45 min; flipped them after 20 min, brushed marinade on both sides at 40 min, then cooked another 5 min. They were done perfectly; very moist. Not super crispy, but that’s because of the BBQ sauce, of course!
In the future I think I will use skinless, boneless chicken thighs.
Rena Awada says
Perfect! Thanks for the feedback
Danielle says
Can you bake without a roasting tin/rack? I only have baking sheets and baking dishes.
Rena says
Yes you can
Taylor says
My grandma actually makes theses but it’s a little different and always used a 9×13 baking dish. Works well and it keeps the juices and everything inside too. So just have to check on them and flip them. Prefer to cover with tin foil.
Alyssa says
Overall it turned out good. I had to cook it about another 30 minutes. The chicken was still quite raw at the first 30 minute mark. The legs were about normal size. Maybe this recipe works best for small chicken legs. But flavor was really good in the end.
KJ says
I substituted no name honey garlic sauce for the BBQ sauce, but found the same thing as Scott…they were not done cooking and needed additional time. I set my oven to True Areo Bake (all around heat plus air circulation) at 350 for 60 minutes (20+20+10+10). I then set my oven to Areo Roast at 400 for another 15 minutes (same as Aero bake with the addition of the overhead broil burner) and unfortunately got distracted and left them for 25 minutes. No worries about mine being crispy! lol ! The sauce on top burned to a crisp (charcoal really, so I was glad I left the skin on) but the drumsticks on the inside were juicy and delicious! Even the crispy outside was tasty. The honey garlic combined nicely with the assorted spices in the marinade rub. I’m sure if I’d taken them out of the oven that final time, at 15 or 20 minutes, they would have been perfect! I will definitely try this recipe again, however I cooked 14 large drumsticks and completely covered them each in the rub and I had enough of the spice mixture left over for at least 4-5 more drumsticks.
R Ellen Commons Harrell says
Was great!
Rena says
Awesome!
Maria Gut says
That was amazing very easy and tasteful.
I spiced night before
So juicy and moist.
Left half with out of barbecue sauce and was so good to.
Karla says
This is in the oven right now. Omitted the chili powder and ginger. Rubbed them down with avocado oil and spice mix. Roasted them at 450 and turned them half way through. still cooked for 45 minutes. Nice and crispy and juice. Will keep this one
Rena says
Perfect. Thanks for the feedback
Ashley says
For some reason there was alot of extra spices left over, but that was an easy fix. Also made it in an airfrier. Was soooo good. Husband said best drumsticks ive made so far 🙂
Rena says
Thanks for the feedback Ashley
Scott says
It wasn’t done, not even close. Maybe it was the size of my drumsticks but you need to add a LOT more time to the cooking time. Make sure you check it.
Rena says
Hey. Every oven varies and the size also plays a role. I will make a note of it to try making it again.
Vic says
They smell amazing but agreed, mine have been in the oven for over 2 hrs at 350 and are still not finished, and the bbq sauce is getting burnt. I cook a lot and haven’t had this issue with other recipes so I know it’s not my oven.
Shafeen says
Made it today and it tasted amazing. Wondering if you know how to make it crispier, mine was very juicy but I’d like the skin to be crispier as well.
Thanks!!
Rena says
amazing! thanks for the feedback
Stephanie Butler says
Maybe broil with the bbq sauce for a few minutes?
Norma says
Made this for my family 2 days in a row! Boneless thighs are there favorites
Rena says
sounds amazing. Love the idea
Mike says
Do you need to cover chicken while baking?
Rena says
Its really optional, you don’t have to.
Kortney Thurber says
What do you do if you don’t have a wire rack and do you grease the bottom of the pan?
Rena says
no, you don’t have to grease it.
Sam says
Do you bake again for the 10 minutes or just add more sauce
Rena says
Bake again yes.
Jill says
Excellent ! I have made this twice in 3 days. Once with legs, once with thighs. Everyone loved it.
Rena says
So glad you loved it.
Penny Venn says
I’m wondering if I could bake ahead ,same day and then add the BBQ sauce and put on the BBQ to grill
Rena says
Sure you can try it
Terry says
Had this last night. Absolute awesome. When it’s 95 degrees outside, this is the perfect way to have bbq drumsticks. Thanks for this.
Rena says
Just perfect! Thanks for the feedback.
Andrew says
Loved this recipe i made it with rays low sugar barbecue sauce and it tasted amazing perfect meal for after the gym coupled with an avocado
Rena says
Sounds perfect. Thanks for the feedback Andrew.
Gayle says
Loved this recipe. Best BBQ I have had. Make sure you have plenty of napkins, sticky sauce, just the way it should be!
Rena says
So glad you loved it, Gail. Thanks for the feedback.
Alexandria says
Hi there! Does it matter if you use chicken drumstick with or without the skin?! Thank you!
Rena says
Its really what you prefer. I like to keep it on to protect the chicken from drying and stays juicy.
Annam says
Loved it
Rena says
Great! glad you liked it