30 Chicken Drumsticks BBQ Recipes That Will Work All Year Long! 

November 9, 2024
Written by Kristy J. Norton

Barbecue chicken drumsticks tend to be a fan favorite with everyone. So, if you are looking for new chicken drumstick BBQ recipes to impress people with, then you are in the right place! From simple baked and grilled options to ones that are bursting with fun flavors, the options are endless. Go ahead and take a look! 

1. Baked BBQ Drumsticks 

Enjoy the taste of delicious barbecue drumsticks without ever having to turn on your grill! For these drumsticks, simply toss them in spices and seasonings and bake for a while. Then, baste the drumsticks twice and cook for a bit longer before broiling as a finishing touch! 

Get the recipe here

Baked BBQ Drumsticks

2. BBQ Soy Drumsticks 

These savory sweet drumsticks offer a delicious balance of flavors that will have you making these drumsticks time and time again! Place the drumsticks in a baking dish and then pour in a mix of barbecue sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic,  and rice vinegar. Bake the drumsticks before broiling to a nice golden brown! 

Get the recipe here

BBQ Soy Drumsticks

3. Grilled BBQ Drumsticks 

If you want to get traditional with your drumsticks, this is the recipe to follow! Coat the drumsticks in a BBQ spice blend and then place on the grill. First grill on high heat and then move the drumsticks to medium heat and grill until nice and crispy. Brush with barbecue sauce and enjoy! 

Get the recipe here

Grilled BBQ Drumsticks

4. Honey BBQ Drumsticks 

Add even more sweetness to the mix with the help of this delicious recipe! Simply season the drumsticks and then brush on a mixture of honey and barbecue sauce. Pop the drumsticks into the oven and bake until cooked through. Finally, brush with more sauce and serve! 

Get the recipe here

Honey BBQ Drumsticks

5. Slow Cooker BBQ Drumsticks  

If you want a set it and leave it recipe for your drumsticks then look no further than this one! Place the drumsticks in the slow cooker and then drizzle with brown sugar and spices. Then, pour over honey and barbecue sauce and simmer everything. Once cooked through, brush with barbecue sauce and then broil! 

Get the recipe here

Slow Cooker BBQ Drumsticks

6. Spicy BBQ Drumsticks 

If you like a bit of a kick to your drumsticks, then you should try out this recipe! The drumsticks are marinated in a mix of lemon juice, minced garlic, and spices. They are then grilled to perfection and served with a homemade aioli!   

Get the recipe here

Spicy BBQ Drumsticks

7. Smoky BBQ Drumsticks 

This recipe will make it taste as though your drumsticks have been sitting in a smoker all day! All you have to do is to add the drumsticks to a slow cooker and sprinkle in liquid smoke, spices, herbs, tomato paste, and barbecue sauce. Let everything simmer for a few hours and then enjoy! 

Get the recipe here

Smoky BBQ Drumsticks

8. Sweet and Spicy BBQ Drumsticks 

If you are looking to take your drumsticks to the next level, then this is the recipe you need to try! Here, the drumsticks are marinated in a mix of orange juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, spicy peppers, chili garlic sauce, and aromatics. They are then grilled while they are basted with the delicious marinade! 

Get the recipe here

Sweet and Spicy BBQ Drumsticks

9. Sweet and Tangy BBQ Drumsticks 

These drumsticks are coated in the most incredible and complex flavors! The drumsticks are cooked in a homemade barbecue sauce that is spiked with a bit of dark chocolate, lending to a deeper flavor. Once the drumsticks have been seasoned and seared, dip them in the sauce and then bake until done! 

Get the recipe here

Sweet and Tangy BBQ Drumsticks

10. Korean BBQ Drumsticks 

Everyone knows that Korean BBQ is delicious and you can now make your own drumsticks - plus it's super easy! All you need to do is to toss the drumsticks in soy sauce, aromatics, rice wine vinegar, sriracha, brown sugar, and sesame seeds. Then, place in the oven and cook, making sure to baste the drumsticks as you do!

Get the recipe here

Korean BBQ Drumsticks

11. Jerk BBQ Drumsticks

If you want to infuse your drumsticks with as much flavor as possible, then this is a recipe that you need to try out! Start by coating the drumsticks in spices and seasonings and then marinate in a mix of aromatics, peppers, and spices. Then, cook the drumsticks while you baste with a homemade sweet and spicy barbecue sauce! 

Get the recipe here

Jerk BBQ Drumsticks

12. Tandoori BBQ Drumsticks 

This is a simple recipe for getting super flavorful drumsticks! To begin with, blend aromatics, yogurt, and spices together and marinate your drumsticks in this. Then, grill the drumsticks over indirect heat before crisping up over direct heat. Rest the drumsticks and enjoy! 

Get the recipe here

Tandoori BBQ Drumsticks

13. Thai BBQ Drumsticks 

These fragrant drumstricks are just what you need when you are in the mood for something a little different. Begin by blending cilantro with toasted coriander seeds and then mix in aromatics, fish sauce, turmeric, lime juice, and honey. Marinate the drumsticks before baking or grilling them! 

Get the recipe here

Thai BBQ Drumsticks

14. Chipotle BBQ Drumsticks 

What's not to love about these drumsticks? First, they are coated in a delicious homemade sauce before they are baked to perfection. Second, the sauce is spiked with smoky and spicy chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, making for the yummiest BBQ drumsticks! 

Get the recipe here

Chipotle BBQ Drumsticks

15. One Pot BBQ Drumsticks with Brown Sugar Baked Beans 

Enjoy a full, healthy, and delicious meal with this recipe! To begin with, simmer the beans in stock, aromatics, jalapeno, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, honey, and seasonings. Then brush the chicken drumstick with barbecue sauce and place on top of the beans before baking everything! 

Get the recipe here

One Pot BBQ Drumsticks with Brown Sugar Baked Beans

16. Soy Balsamic BBQ Drumsticks 

Want to put an elegant spin on your drumsticks? Then you may want to give this recipe a try! To begin with, coat the drumsticks in a soy and balsamic vinegar spiked barbecue sauce. Then, grill on each side until the drumsticks are glazed and cooked through! 

Get the recipe here

Soy Balsamic BBQ Drumsticks

17. Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks 

Yes, you can make the most delicious BBQ drumsticks in your air fryer! All you have to do is toss the drumsticks in a BBQ spice mix and then place in the air fryer and cooking until it is nearly done. Then, brush the drumsticks with sauce and cook for a bit longer!

Get the recipe here

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

18. Pineapple BBQ Drumsticks

This recipe is just bursting with fresh and delicious flavors - it is also a great option for anyone who likes cooking with whole ingredients! First, the drumsticks are coated in a paste made from fresh herbs and aromatics. They are then baked in a homemade barbecue sauce that includes pineapple and orange juice for extra zest! 

Get the recipe here

Pineapple BBQ Drumsticks

19. Mango Habanero BBQ Drumsticks 

Sweet, spicy, and oh so delicious, these drumsticks are everything! Lightly season the drumsticks and then sear the wings on the grill for a few minutes. Then, brush with the mango habanero sauce and continue to grill until done. Once finished, rest and serve with more sauce! 

Get the recipe here

Mango Habanero BBQ Drumsticks

20. Chipotle Mango BBQ Drumsticks 

With this yummy recipe it is all about the balance between the smokiness and sweetness! Blend mango, chipotle peppers, aromatics, cilantro, vinegar, and lemon juice. Use some of this sauce to marinate the drumsticks. Then, grill the drumsticks, basting with the reserved sauce. Serve with even more sauce! 

Get the recipe here

Chipotle Mango BBQ Drumsticks

21. Apricot Glazed BBQ Drumsticks 

For this recipe, the drumsticks are coated in a sweet and savory sauce before they are cooked to perfection! Begin by making up the apricot glaze and then marinating the drumsticks in this. Then, brush on more of the sauce and grill on each side until done! 

Get the recipe here

Apricot Glazed BBQ Drumsticks

22. Maple BBQ Drumsticks 

The maple syrup adds a deep and lovely flavor to this dish! To start with, whip up the maple based barbecue sauce and marinate the drumsticks in this for a while. Then, grill the drumsticks until cooked through. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chives and serve with reserved sauce! 

Get the recipe here

Maple BBQ Drumsticks

23. Instant Pot BBQ Drumsticks 

This is the perfect recipe for when you want your drumsticks extra quick and with no fuss! The chicken drumsticks are first pressure cooked to tenderness in whole spices in the Instant Pot. Once done, they are then tossed in an orange based sauce. Pop into the oven and then grill until perfectly caramelized! 

Get the recipe here

Instant Pot BBQ Drumsticks

24. Teriyaki BBQ Drumsticks 

This recipe is great for you when you love the traditional flavors of barbecue but are also looking to step things up at the same time! Toss the chicken with garlic, spices, and teriyaki sauce and marinate. Then, grill while basting with a mix of teriyaki sauce, barbecue sauce, and sriracha! 

Get the recipe here

Teriyaki BBQ Drumsticks

25. Asian BBQ Drumsticks 

If you love Asian flavors, then you can't go wrong with this recipe! The drumsticks are first marinated in ground ginger and garlic and other spices. Grill the drumsticks before tossing in a sriracha honey garlic barbecue sauce. Serve with a homemade spicy slaw!  

Get the recipe here

Asian BBQ Drumsticks

26. Chili Lime BBQ Drumsticks 

These drumsticks are tangy with just the right amount of spice to them! Toss the drumsticks in a mixture of chili powder, lime juice, oil, and garlic powder and marinate. Then, fire up the grill and cook the drumsticks on each side until done! 

Get the recipe here

Chili Lime BBQ Drumsticks

27. Pepper Lime BBQ Drumsticks 

These drumsticks have some serious kick to them! Season the drumsticks and then grill, making sure to baste with a mix of red pepper jelly and lime juice. Once the drumsticks are cooked through, serve with more sauce!  

Get the recipe here

Pepper Lime BBQ Drumsticks

28. Honey Orange BBQ Drumsticks 

These BBQ drumsticks are sweet with the perfect hint of tang! Simmer barbecue sauce, honey, orange juice, garlic, and paprika together. Brush the drumsticks with some of this sauce and then bake. Baste the drumsticks as they cook and then serve with more sauce! 

Get the recipe here

Honey Orange BBQ Drumsticks

29. Smoky Jalapeno BBQ Drumsticks 

Saucy, smoky, and just a little bit spicy, these drumsticks are incredible! Make up the sauce by blending jalapeno, bell peppers, and apple juice before simmering in smoky ketchup, vinegar, and sugar. Season and grill the drumsticks before basting with the sauce. Then, grill for a little longer and serve! 

Get the recipe here

Smoky Jalapeno BBQ Drumsticks

30. Spiced BBQ Drumsticks 

For this recipe, the drumsticks are coated in the most amazing spices! Begin by blending garlic, harissa paste, sumac, nutmeg, thyme, and citrus juice together. Marinade the chicken in this along with onions. Once done, grill to perfection! 

Get the recipe here

Spiced BBQ Drumsticks

There you have it - all the BBQ chicken drumstick recipes you could possibly need! It doesn't matter if you prefer a more traditional barbecue flavor or would like to try something new, you can find everything you need right here. So, go ahead and give them a try! 

By Kristy J. Norton
I'm Kristy – a chef and connoisseur of all things BBQ! You can find me either in my kitchen (or someone else's) or at a big outdoor barbecue surrounded by friends and family. In both my professional and personal life I’ve picked up more than a few tips and tricks for turning out delicious food. I consider it a privilege to share it with others!
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