Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Did you know you can make tender, juicy baked BBQ chicken drumsticks at home? These legs are slathered in barbecue sauce and baked to perfection in the oven for a crispy skin — no deep fryer or grill required.

These drumsticks will compete with your favorite chicken joints — and the best part is, they only take five minutes of prep time!

How to Prepare Oven-Baked BBQ Drumsticks?

Making homemade baked drumsticks is incredibly simple using chicken drumsticks and a homemade barbecue sauce. Below, you’ll find a detailed, step-by-step recipe, but here’s an overview of what you can expect:

Start by preparing the barbecue sauce with ingredients like ketchup, vinegar, water, brown sugar, butter, salt, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, and chili powder. Coat the drumsticks in the sauce, then bake them until the juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Should You Apply Barbecue Sauce Before or After Baking?

This recipe suggests applying the barbecue sauce before baking, but feel free to make an extra batch of sauce to brush on the drumsticks afterward if you prefer.

Should BBQ Drumsticks Be Baked Covered or Uncovered?

For perfectly tender and juicy chicken drumsticks, bake them covered with foil — just like in this recipe. You can remove the foil during the last few minutes of baking to allow the skin to crisp up.

How Long Should You Bake BBQ Chicken Drumsticks?

The baking time for drumsticks will vary based on their size. This recipe recommends baking them for an hour. You'll know they’re done when the juices run clear and a digital thermometer reads 165°F when inserted near the bone.

What to Serve with Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks?

Chicken drumsticks make a fantastic appetizer or main course (especially when paired with hearty side dishes). If you’re looking for side dish ideas, consider trying one of our favorite, top-rated options:

Garlic Mashed Potatoes Secret Recipe
Microwave Corn on the Cob
Classic Caesar Salad, Restaurant-Style
Lime-Cilantro Rice

Alternatively, browse our full collection of side dish recipes.

How to Store Leftover Baked BBQ Chicken Legs

Store any leftover drumsticks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat them in the oven until warmed through, or enjoy them cold!

How to Freeze Leftover Baked BBQ Chicken Legs

Freeze cooked chicken drumsticks in a zip-top freezer bag labeled with the date for up to three months. To thaw, place them in the fridge overnight.

Dinogo Community Tips and Praise

"I absolutely loved this recipe! Wish I had made more! My husband and I had to share half of our chicken with our kids (ages 5 and 4) because they devoured theirs and most of ours," says Dinogo Allstar tcasa. "I followed the recipe for the sauce, poured half on before baking, then added the rest after an hour. I uncovered the baking dish and baked it for another 10 minutes. The sauce turned out thick and delicious."

"So easy to make and everyone in my family loved it. I followed the recipe exactly, and with the addition of water, it turned into a BBQ glaze instead of a sauce — but I didn’t mind. The flavor was amazing, and the meat was incredibly moist and tender," raves Kim Lombardi.

"Prep was quick, and the ingredients are simple — ones you’ll likely have in your kitchen. Best of all, the kids ate it up," says 123shaun.

Editorial contributions by Bailey Fink

Ingredients List

• 6 chicken drumsticks

• ⅓ cup ketchup

• ⅓ cup white vinegar

• ½ cup water, or more to taste (Optional)

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• 4 teaspoons butter, cut into small chunks

• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, or to taste

• 2 teaspoons dry mustard

• 2 teaspoons chili powder, or to taste

Instructions

Gather the ingredients, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), and arrange the drumsticks in a 7x11-inch baking dish.

In a bowl, whisk together ketchup, vinegar, water, brown sugar, butter, salt, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and chili powder; pour the sauce over the drumsticks. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.

Bake in the preheated oven until the chicken is no longer pink at the bone and the juices run clear, about 1 hour, turning the drumsticks halfway through. Use an instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).

Serve hot and enjoy your delicious meal!

Editor's Note:

Based on user feedback, water has been made optional. It is not included in the video.

Nutrition Information (per serving)