Best BBQ Glaze for Chicken Drumettes: Air Fryer Method

Best BBQ Glaze for Chicken Drumettes: Air Fryer Method

Chicken drumettes glazed and crisped fresh out of the air fryer basket
Photo via Unsplash

No backyard, no problem. This air fryer method proves you don't need a grill to land on the best BBQ glaze for chicken drumettes, just a basket, some pepper jelly, and about 20 minutes.

Why the Air Fryer Works So Well Here

Air fryers circulate hot air aggressively enough to crisp skin the way a grill would, which makes them a legitimate contender for the best BBQ glaze for chicken indoors, especially on drumettes with plenty of surface area.

Step-by-Step Air Fryer Method

  1. Pat 2 pounds of chicken drumettes completely dry and toss with a little oil, salt, and pepper.
  2. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed to avoid crowding.
  3. Air fry at 380°F for 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
  4. Bump the temperature to 400°F and cook 5 more minutes until skin is crisp and golden.
  5. Toss drumettes in a bowl with warmed Red Hot Spread until fully coated.
  6. Return to the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to set the glaze without burning it.
  7. Serve immediately while the coating is still glossy and warm.

What Makes This the Best BBQ Glaze for Chicken Indoors

Bottled sauce tends to burn in the concentrated heat of an air fryer basket. Pepper jelly's sugar structure holds up better in that tight space, which is exactly why it earns the title of best BBQ glaze for chicken drumettes cooked this way.

Cleanup and Convenience

No grill grates to scrub, no propane to check. This method delivers the best BBQ glaze for chicken drumettes experience with a fraction of the cleanup of a live-fire cook.

Crispy, sticky, and no grill required. Shop Red Hot Spread at smokymountainspread.com.

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