Best Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Is it officially summer yet? Nope, but my kitchen definitely didn’t get the memo!

These oven-baked BBQ drumsticks have been my saviour for creating those summer vibes while we’re still dealing with spring showers.

Super juicy inside, these drumsticks are covered with simple spice rub, some olive oil, and your favorite BBQ sauce.

The best part? They practically cook themselves.

Just pop them in the oven and let them roast to perfection.

That amazing smell filling the house is like a preview of all the backyard cookouts to come, minus the sweaty grill master duties.

These BBQ drumsticks bring all those summer feelings without waiting for the actual calendar to catch up!

So, here’s how to make them.

Ingredients for Oven Baked BBQ Chicken

If you’re already planning your summer gatherings these drumsticks need to be on your list! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Chicken drumsticks
• Olive oil
• Brown sugar
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• BBQ sauce (whatever your family loves!)

These drumsticks have seriously saved me at so many summer functions, if you need to make big batches of chicken!

Last 4th of July when we hosted the soccer families before fireworks I made three huge batches and they disappeared faster than my kids’ clean rooms on a weekend.

The great thing about serving these at parties is that they’re not messy like traditional BBQ can be.

The sauce gets all sticky and caramelized in the oven.

For bigger bashes like our annual end-of-season soccer party I just line up a few sheet pans and make a massive amount.

They’re perfect for feeding a crowd without spending the whole time manning a hot grill while everyone else is having fun.

How to Make Oven Baked BBQ Drumsticks

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.

You want it nice and hot to get that crispy skin!

While the oven is heating grab a baking sheet and line it with aluminum foil. This step is NOT optional unless you enjoy scrubbing baked-on BBQ sauce later. Sometimes I even do a double layer of foil because I’m serious about easy cleanup.

Step 2: Next in a small bowl mix together your olive oil and all those spices – garlic powder onion powder smoked paprika chili powder kosher salt and black pepper.

I usually just eyeball the amounts honestly.

The mixture should look like a thin paste. If you’re feeling adventurous a pinch of cayenne adds a nice kick but skip it if your kids are spice-sensitive like my youngest.

Step 3: Now for a super important step that makes ALL the difference: pat those chicken drumsticks dry with paper towels!

Like really dry them well. Dry chicken = better spice adhesion = more flavor.

Step 4: Rub that oil and spice mixture all over each drumstick.

Don’t be shy really massage it in getting under the skin a bit if you can.

I usually put on those disposable gloves for this part.

Step 5: Place all your seasoned drumsticks onto your foil-lined baking sheet.

Try not to crowd them too much or they’ll steam instead of getting that nice crispy exterior.

If you’re making a big batch for a summer party just use multiple sheets.

Step 6: Pop them in the oven for about 25-30 minutes. You want them nearly but not completely cooked at this stage.

Step 7: Take the chicken out and brush each drumstick generously with BBQ sauce. Use whatever BBQ sauce your family loves.

Step 8: Back into the oven they go for another 10-15 minutes.

This is when the magic happens! The sauce caramelizes and gets all sticky and delicious.

You know they’re done when they reach 165 degrees internal temp.

The hardest part? Letting them rest for a few minutes before serving.

The girls always try to grab them right away but that extra 5 minutes of resting lets all the juices redistribute.

Trust me its worth the wait and prevents burnt fingers too!

These are amazing served with that Hawaiian mac salad!

How Do I Get Crispy Skin on the Chicken?

If you’re after that super crispy skin (my husband is obsessed with this part), flip your oven to broil for the final 2-3 minutes of cooking time.

But don’t walk away! These babies can go from perfect to charcoal in seconds under the broiler.

And, whe it’s too hot to fire up the oven, take these drumsticks outside!

Just toss them on the grill over medium heat for about 20-25 minutes.

You’ll need to flip them every so often so they don’t burn.

Oven-Baked BBQ Drumsticks Recipe

Enjoy!