Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
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An easy-peasy, flavorful baked chicken drumstick recipe. You can have Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks without grilling or frying. Simply bake, baste, broil and enjoy! We even teach you how to turn this into a make-ahead freezer meal.
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Welcome to your new best-weeknight-meal-friend. Here are a few reasons way:
- The ingredients are super simple and affordable.
- This drumstick recipe is freezer friendly! Save your future self time by making them a freezer meal.
- By using a little broil action at the end, you can replicate grilled flavor without taking a step outside!
- This recipe is dairy-free and gluten-free!
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED
To make sure your drumsticks are extra flavorful, we have created a delicious rub for them. Here is everything you’ll need:
- Brown sugar
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt & pepper
- Chicken drumsticks (we love the ones we get through ButcherBox)
- BBQ Sauce, store-bought or our homemade version
STEP 1: Season the Drumsticks
You’ll take those lovely seasonings and mix them up in a small bowl. Pat your drumsticks dry and give them a swim around in the seasonings until they are covered. It’s kinda fun!
If you plan to double your recipe and freeze one for later, you’ll place your seasoned drumsticks into a freezer bag at this point. If not, carry on!
STEP 2: Bake Your Drumsticks
Line a baking sheet with foil for easier clean up.
One of the most important parts of baking these is placing them on a baking/cooling rack on top of the foil-lined sheet pan. This allows the hot air to get to all sides of the drumsticks to help create a crispy exterior.
Put them in the preheated oven and kick back and relax for a bit.
STEP 3: Baste Your Chicken Drumsticks with BBQ Sauce
After the chicken has cooked for a bit (details below), you’ll start basting the chicken with BBQ Sauce. This basting step is what differentiates these Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks from our Slow Cooker BBQ Drumsticks or Instant Pot Drumsticks.
When you add a layer of BBQ sauce and give it a bit of time to cook, it starts to caramelize and get that stick-sweet taste you crave.
See how the layers of BBQ sauce are building up?
STEP 4: Crisp Up the Drumsticks
If you were grilling these drumsticks, they’d have a little extra char on them which adds delicious flavor and texture. To get that in the oven, crank the heat up at the end to 425°F and let them cook for a few more minutes.
If you don’t see some browning by then, give them a quick broil.
Can You Freeze BBQ Drumsticks?
You bet! Here’s how:
Freeze For Later: Season the drumsticks and place the seasoned chicken in a freezer bag. Try not to stack the drumsticks in the bag; instead, place them flat, side by side. Use parchment paper to divide layers, if needed. Seal and freeze flat. If you want, you can pour BBQ sauce into a small freezer bag or container, seal, and freeze alongside the chicken.
Prepare From Frozen: Thaw the chicken using one of these safe methods. Follow the cooking instructions in the recipe below.
What to Serve with BBQ Drumsticks
Serve with extra BBQ sauce on the side and try one of these side dish ideas:
- 5 Ingredient Whole Wheat Mac and Cheese (or try this easy Instant Pot version)
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad
- Corn on the Cob (Made in the Microwave)
Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!
Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
An easy-peasy, flavorful baked chicken drumstick recipe. You can have BBQ Chicken Drumsticks without grilling or frying. Just bake, baste, broil and enjoy! We even teach you how to turn this into a make-ahead freezer meal.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- About 3 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks (we get ours from ButcherBox)
- 1.5 cups BBQ Sauce, store-bought or 1 batch of our Homemade Sauce
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
Make It Now
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place an oven-safe baking/cooling rack on top.
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
- Pat dry the drumsticks and then coat the drumsticks evenly with the mixture.
- Place the drumsticks on the baking rack.
- Bake drumsticks for 25 minutes. Remove the chicken from the oven and baste with the BBQ sauce on all sides.
- Bake for another 7-8 minutes and repeat the basting step.
- Bake another 7-8 minutes. Remove pan and baste with sauce once more.
- Turn the heat up to 425°F. Cook the chicken 5-7 more minutes or until the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F or are no longer pink inside at all. (Optional: Broil at the end to caramelize the drumsticks even more, if you want it.)
- Let cool for 10 minutes before eating.
Freeze For Later: Season the drumsticks and place the seasoned chicken in a freezer bag. Try not to stack the drumsticks in the bag; instead, place them flat, side by side. Use parchment paper to divide layers, if needed. Seal and freeze flat. If you want, you can pour BBQ sauce into a small freezer bag or container, seal, and freeze alongside the chicken.
Prepare From Frozen: Thaw the chicken using one of these safe methods. Follow the cooking instructions in the recipe above.
Want More Chicken Recipes That Are Freezer Friendly?
Be sure to check out our 15+ Best Chicken Freezer Meals on the Internet!
Delicious!! Very moist. Love this!
★★★★★
Thanks for taking time to leave feedback and a review, Lydia!
Another one for the rotation! I didn’t realize I’ve been doing basting all wrong until I cooked these this way! I doubled the recipe and froze three pounds at the same time.
★★★★★
What can I sub for garlic and onion- my daughter is allergic
Just leave them out. Should still be good seasoning, especially with the BBQ sauce.