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The most juicy, succulent BBQ chicken drumsticks from the air fryer starts with mayo! These delicious chicken legs are smothered in our highly seasoned mayonnaise sauce then cooked in the air fryer. Come see why you should make these a regular weeknight family dinner.

What is Mayo Chicken

Mayo chicken is a more of a process, than a thing. Mayonnaise is used to coat the chicken prior to cooking and is then typically coated in something like bread crumbs or parmesan cheese. Instead of a bread coating we decided to highly season the mayonnaise and then finish with BBQ sauce.

How Does Mayonnaise Create Juicy Chicken

Let's think about the typical ingredients in mayo: oil, eggs, vinegar or lemon juice, seasonings. When added to marinades these things either help to break down fats or add moisture. Additionally, oil crisps up and can lock in flavor and juices. Mayonnaise simplifies the process by giving us a creamy sauce to smother our chicken in. We took it to the next level by highly seasoning the mayo for our BBQ chicken in the air fryer.

Do I Have to Use Hellmann's for this Chicken

No! Feel free to use any mayo you would like for your chicken. We chose Hellmann's Olive Oil for it's thick richness. It really coats the chicken legs very well. Besides, for me personally I like an Olive oil product over anything soybean or vegetable oil. Just use what you like or have on hand.

Can I Air Fry Chicken Leg Quarters Instead

Yes! You can opt for chicken leg quarters instead of just the drumstick for your BBQ mayo chicken. Just note we have not made or tested full chicken leg quarters in the air fryer. If I was to, here is where I would start- cook an additional 1-15 minutes. Larger bone in pieces of chicken take longer. Always check for an internal temp of 165 degrees. I suggest cooking two leg quarters at a time to leave some room.

Is This Mayo Chicken Keto Friendly

Yes! Basically this chicken is what we call naturally keto friendly. It's just chicken, seasonings and mayo, all of which are low in carbs. There is no added sugar and you can use your own mayo. You will want to pick your favorite sugar free BBQ sauce or use ours. Our keto BBQ sauce has over 250 reviews at 4.5 stars.

How to Make Chicken Drumsticks in the Air Fryer

Serving size 2 drumsticks, Makes 5 servings

Optional Plan Ahead Step- coat and cover the chicken, place in fridge for 30 minutes up to over night. This is optional, chicken can be cooked right away.

Ingredients

• 8-10 chicken legs
• ½ cup Hellmann's mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
• 1 teaspoon each: paprika, cumin, onion powder, salt, pepper
• ½ cup BBQ Sauce (Sugar free if KETO)

Directions

1. Pat chicken legs dry, place in large bowl.
2. In a small bowl add mayo, mustard and all seasonings.
3. Finely chop or grate the garlic, add to the bowl of mayo and mix well.
4. Cover chicken and coat evenly.
5. Cover bowl and refrigerate for half an hour. You can also leave the legs to marinate overnight. Chicken can be cooked right away, it just picks up more flavor after sitting.
6. Lay the legs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook chicken drumsticks in air fryer for 12 minutes at 400F. Remove and Brush with BBQ sauce. Air fry for another 10 minutes. If the legs are large, you can increase the time by 2-3 minutes. Always look for an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Can I use Frozen Instead of Fresh

One of the most appealing features of using an air fryer is that it cooks meat crispy and delicious from frozen, in addition to maintaining moisture. Unlike the oven which can dry out meat when cooked from frozen (due to the long length cook times), air frying things like frozen chicken drumsticks comes out great. Besides the fact that it takes much less time than the oven. We do recommend increasing the temperature 10 degrees and air frying for about 10 more minutes or until 165 degree is reached internally.

Even though you can technically cook the chicken legs from frozen I personally recommend letting them thaw, that way the seasoning can sink in. Frozen chicken just will not soak up the flavor the same, however consider making the mayo seasoning, coat the frozen chicken legs and then wrap the day prior to cooking. Two birds one stone. They thaw themselves and therefore marinate too.

Optional Oven Method

To make these chicken drumsticks in the oven instead of the air fryer, follow these easy steps. (Also highlighted in the instructions and note section of the recipe card)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Spray a sheet pan with non stick cooking spray.
3. Place seasoned chicken drumsticks evenly spaced on pan.
4. Roast for 15 minutes, flip, brush with BBQ sauce, cook 10 minutes or until internal temp reaches 165.

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• Think outside the soup with these yummy Sliders based off French Onion Soup, however they are a burger.
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• You're going to need an easy dessert recipe, whip up these coconut No Bake Cookies in 5 minutes using the microwave.

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