Spicy & Sweet BBQ Chicken Lollipops
Become a Cartoon Star! Easy ‘Chicken Lollipop’ Recipe with Your Air Fryer
Bring the mouthwatering visual of cartoon meat to life with these ‘Chicken Lollipops,’ a BBQ chicken drumstick dish! The spicy sauce perfectly balances the richness, making them an ideal snack with drinks! They’re also easily made in an air fryer, so follow along step-by-step.
Main Ingredients
- 400g fresh chicken drumsticks
Flavorful Dry Rub
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika powder
Spicy & Sweet Sauce
- 4 Tbsp BBQ sauce
- 2 Tbsp Sriracha sauce
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika powder
Spicy & Sweet Sauce
- 4 Tbsp BBQ sauce
- 2 Tbsp Sriracha sauce
- 1 Tbsp honey
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the chicken drumsticks. Using scissors or a knife, carefully trim the protruding bone and meat from the lower part of the drumstick. This step helps to create the lollipop shape later.
Step 2
Once the drumsticks can stand, pull the skin downwards to expose the meat around the bone. Make a cut along the joint where the bone meets the meat mass. Then, carefully cut away all the meat and smaller bones, leaving only the thickest bone.
Step 3
Now, let’s shape the chicken. Hold the skin with one hand, gripping it with a paper towel to prevent slipping. Gently push the skin upwards, over the bone, to create the ‘lollipop’ effect. You’re essentially pushing the skin to cover the bone like a handle.
Step 4
Neatly pull the skin all the way to the end of the bone to create the signature lollipop shape. Once shaped, soak the chicken drumsticks in cold water for 30 minutes to remove any excess blood. You can also do this soaking step before you start trimming.
Step 5
While the chicken is soaking, let’s make the dry rub. In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika powder. Mix them well. The smoked paprika adds a lovely depth of flavor.
Step 6
After soaking, pat the chicken drumsticks thoroughly dry with paper towels. Generously coat the entire surface of the chicken with the prepared dry rub, ensuring it adheres well. This is your first cooking stage. Place the drumsticks in a preheated oven or air fryer and cook until the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F). If you don’t have a thermometer, bake at 150°C (300°F) for about 50 minutes.
Step 7
While the chicken is in its first cooking cycle, let’s prepare the sauce. In a bowl, mix 4 tablespoons of BBQ sauce, 2 tablespoons of Sriracha sauce, and 1 tablespoon of honey. This creates a delicious sweet and spicy glaze.
Step 8
Once the chicken is cooked through from the first stage, remove it from the oven or air fryer. Generously brush the meat portion of each ‘lollipop’ with the prepared spicy and sweet sauce.
Step 9
Finally, return the sauced chicken lollipops to the preheated oven or air fryer set at 150°C (300°F) for another 10 minutes. Cook until the sauce is slightly caramelized and the chicken is beautifully browned. Your delicious Chicken Lollipops are ready to enjoy!
