Baking Bbq Chicken Drumsticks: How Long Does It Take?

Baked BBQ chicken drumsticks are a delicious, easy-to-make meal that can be prepared in the oven or on the grill. The drumsticks are seasoned with a variety of spices, such as garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and chili powder, and then baked to perfection before being smothered in BBQ sauce. The baking time for this recipe varies depending on the size of the drumsticks, but on average, they will need to bake for about 40-60 minutes in an oven preheated to between 350-425 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to make a homemade BBQ sauce

A homemade BBQ sauce is a great way to add a personal touch to your chicken drumsticks. It's easy to make and allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring a healthier option with fewer preservatives. Here's a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• Ketchup (2 cups)
• Apple cider vinegar (1/2 cup)
• Brown sugar (1/4 cup)
• Honey (2 tablespoons)
• Worcestershire sauce (1 tablespoon)
• Lemon juice (1 tablespoon)
• Hot sauce (optional), 1/4 teaspoon
• Spices (garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground ginger, salt, and pepper)

Instructions:

• Combine all the ingredients in a medium saucepan: Start by adding your ketchup, which serves as the base. Then, add the apple cider vinegar for tanginess, brown sugar for sweetness, and honey for extra flavour. Include Worcestershire sauce to balance the sweetness and a splash of lemon juice for acidity. If you like it spicy, add a dash of hot sauce. You can also add spices like garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground ginger, salt, and pepper to taste.
• Whisk and heat: Whisk all the ingredients together until well combined. Place the saucepan over medium heat and whisk continuously as the mixture comes to a bubble. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes. This step helps to blend the flavours and thicken the sauce.
• Cool and serve: Allow the sauce to cool down before serving. You can also store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Tips:

• Feel free to adjust the measurements and add more or less of each ingredient to suit your taste preferences.
• For a more intense flavour and thicker consistency, you can bring the sauce to a boil and cook it for about a minute.
• If you prefer a no-cook option, simply whisk all the ingredients together until well combined and serve immediately or store in an airtight container.

Now you're ready to coat your chicken drumsticks with your very own homemade BBQ sauce!

How long to bake BBQ chicken drumsticks for

Baking BBQ chicken drumsticks is a relatively straightforward process, but the baking time can vary depending on the size of the drumsticks and your desired level of crispiness. Here is a detailed guide on how long to bake BBQ chicken drumsticks for, along with some helpful tips to ensure they turn out perfectly.

Preparation

Before baking, it is recommended to marinate the chicken drumsticks in a mixture of spices and seasonings. This adds flavour and moisture to the meat. Common spices used include garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, ground ginger, salt, and pepper. You can also add olive oil to the mixture, but it is not necessary as the chicken's natural juices will provide enough moisture.

After marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes, preheat your oven to a temperature between 350°F and 425°F. The higher the temperature, the crispier the skin will be. Line a baking sheet or roasting tin with aluminium foil for easy cleanup. You can also place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet to allow excess fat to drip away from the chicken while it bakes.

Baking Time

The baking time for BBQ chicken drumsticks can vary depending on the size of the drumsticks and your desired level of doneness. On average, it takes about 40 to 50 minutes to bake chicken drumsticks at a temperature of 350°F to 400°F.

For the first half of the baking time, cook the drumsticks without the BBQ sauce. This will allow the spices and seasonings to penetrate the meat and form a crispy skin. Then, remove the drumsticks from the oven and generously brush them with your favourite BBQ sauce. Return them to the oven and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.

To ensure the chicken is cooked through, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer. The minimum internal temperature for safely cooked chicken is 165°F. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, without touching the bone. When the chicken reaches this temperature, it is ready to be taken out of the oven.

Tips for Crispy Skin

For crispy skin, some recipes suggest starting the drumsticks with the skin side down on a preheated baking sheet or grill. This will help render some of the fat and create a crispy base. You can also broil the chicken for the last few minutes of cooking to give the skin a final char.

Additionally, leaving some space between each drumstick on the baking sheet will help them cook more evenly and prevent them from steaming, which can make the skin soggy.

Serving and Storing

BBQ chicken drumsticks go well with a variety of side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, seasoned rice, coleslaw, potato salad, or roasted vegetables.

If you have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To reheat, simply place them in the oven until warmed through, or enjoy them cold!

How to store leftovers

When you have finished enjoying your delicious baked chicken drumsticks with BBQ sauce, it is important to store any leftovers properly to ensure they stay fresh and safe to eat. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to store and handle your leftover drumsticks:

Step 1: Cooling the Leftovers

Allow any leftover drumsticks to cool down to room temperature. Do not leave them out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if the room temperature is above 32°C. This minimizes the growth of bacteria. Once cooled, you can then safely store them in the refrigerator.

Step 2: Storing in the Refrigerator

Place the leftover drumsticks in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Ensure that the BBQ sauce is also covered and sealed, either in its original container or a separate airtight container. Store the wrapped drumsticks and sauce in the refrigerator. Leftover drumsticks will stay good in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

Step 3: Freezing for Long-Term Storage

If you wish to keep the leftovers for longer, you can freeze them. Wrap the drumsticks tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or place them in a freezer bag or airtight container. Ensure that all air is removed from the bag or container before sealing. Frozen drumsticks can be stored for 2 to 3 months.

Step 4: Reheating Safely

When you are ready to enjoy your leftovers, it is important to reheat them properly. You can reheat the drumsticks in the oven, on the stove, or in the microwave, ensuring that they reach an internal temperature of 74°C. This temperature will ensure that any bacteria that may have grown is killed, making the drumsticks safe to eat.

Step 5: Handling and Consuming

Handle the leftovers with clean hands and utensils to prevent cross-contamination. Do not leave leftovers at room temperature for extended periods, and consume them within the recommended time frames for food safety. Enjoy your leftover drumsticks!

By following these steps, you can safely store and enjoy your baked chicken drumsticks with BBQ sauce for several days, or even months if frozen. Proper storage ensures that your leftovers remain tasty and free from bacteria, providing you with an easy and delicious meal for another day.

How to get barbecue sauce to stick to the chicken

There are several methods to ensure your barbecue sauce sticks to the chicken. Firstly, the timing of when you apply the sauce is crucial. If you add the sauce too early, it will burn and leave a nasty flavour. Conversely, if you add it too late, it won't have time to penetrate the meat and flavour it throughout. Therefore, the optimal time to add barbecue sauce to chicken drumsticks is during the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Another way to ensure the sauce sticks is to prepare the chicken before cooking. One option is to dry the chicken with paper towels before adding the sauce. Alternatively, you can coat the chicken with a powder or dry rub, such as flour, salt, pepper, spices, or a combination known as Magic Dust by Mike Mills. You can also try a wet rub, such as an acid/oil-based marinade, or a brine solution.

You can also try altering the sauce itself to make it stickier. Adding butter or other saturated fats, such as bacon fat or chicken fat, will help bind the sauce to the chicken. Alternatively, you can try reducing the sauce by simmering it in a saucepan to create a glaze. If your sauce is store-bought and very thick, you may need to water it down before reducing it.

Finally, you can try altering your cooking technique. For example, if you are grilling the chicken, you can create a "pellicle" by rubbing the chicken with salt and letting it dry in the fridge for 8 hours. This will cause the sauce to stick better when you add it during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking. If you are baking the chicken, try baking it covered with foil for most of the cooking time, then removing the foil for the last few minutes to let the skin crisp up.

What temperature to bake the chicken drumsticks at

The temperature you bake your chicken drumsticks at will depend on the type of oven you are using, the size of the drumsticks, and the level of crispiness you want to achieve.

If you are using a conventional oven, preheat your oven to around 400°F (200°C). This temperature will give your chicken a crispy exterior and a juicy, tender interior. Place the chicken on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and cook for around 35 minutes. Then, reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and brush the chicken with barbecue sauce. Bake for a further 10-15 minutes, brushing with more sauce halfway through.

If you are short on time, you can bake the chicken drumsticks at a higher temperature. One recipe suggests baking at 425°F (220°C) for 40 minutes, flipping the drumsticks halfway through.

For a healthier option, you can bake your chicken drumsticks without oil at a lower temperature of 350°F (175°C). This will take a minimum of 40-50 minutes. You can tell when they are done when they look crispy and are tender to the touch of a fork.

If you are using an air fryer, heat it to 380°F (190°C). Lightly oil the chicken drumsticks and cook for 10 minutes. Flip them over and cook for a further 8-10 minutes. Apply the barbecue sauce and continue cooking for 3-5 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Frequently asked questions