As any wing lover knows, properly sauced chicken wings are a thing of beauty. The crisp skin tender meat, and glistening glaze come together in perfect harmony. But achieving that ideal pairing of juicy wing and sticky BBQ sauce can be deceptively difficult. All too often the sauce slides right off the second you bite in, no matter how diligently you tossed or brushed.
So why does BBQ sauce have such commitment issues when it comes to chicken wings? And more importantly, how can you get that succulent sauce to stick like glue? In this comprehensive guide we’ll uncover the secrets behind the science of adhesion and equip you with the techniques needed for next-level wings every time.
Why BBQ Sauce Won’t Stick
To understand how to fix the problem, we first need to look at why BBQ sauce struggles to cling to wings in the first place.
The Slippery Skin
Chicken skin has a smooth, sometimes slightly oily surface that repels sauces. When the skin is also wet or icy from thawing, it becomes even more slippery and difficult for a sauce to adhere to.
High Heat
Grilling, frying, and other high heat cooking methods can cause sauce to break down and slide right off before it sets.
Excess Fat
The fat under the skin melts and liquefies during cooking. This newly freed fat can act as a lubricant between the sauce and skin.
Improper Application
Applying too much sauce at once, over too many layers, can lead to a superficial coating that easily sloughs off.
Preparing Wings for Optimal Adhesion
With the impediments identified, we can now focus on solutions. Proper prep is crucial for creating wings primed to grab onto sauce.
Thoroughly Dry Wings
- Pat wings very dry with paper towels
- Allow to air dry in the fridge 1-2 hours or up to overnight
- Removes excess moisture so sauce can stick
Bake Wings Before Saucing
- Partially cooks wings at 350°F for 20-30 minutes
- Renders some fat and dries the skin
- Creates texture for sauce to cling to
Lightly Dredge Wings
- Dust with cornstarch, flour, or baking powder
- Creates light coating to further dry and texturize skin
- Absorbs moisture and oils
Mastering Sauce Application
With properly prepped wings, it’s time to focus on sauce application. This make or break step relies on perfect timing and technique.
Wait Until the End
- Apply sauce during the last 10-15 minutes of cook time
- Prevents burning or breaking down of sauce
- Allows sauce to set fully
Layer Thinly
- Use a brush or spoon to apply thin layers
- Let each coat dry before adding more
- Builds up flavor without compromising texture
Choose the Right Tools
- Silicone brush gives even coating without damaging
- Squeeze bottle good for controlled drizzling
- Tongs essential to gently flip
Matching Cooking Method to Sauce
Not all cooking methods are created equal when it comes to sauce adhesion. We’ll breakdown what works for different techniques.
Grilling
- Use indirect heat to prevent burning
- Flip frequently to cook evenly
- Move over direct heat at end to set sauce
Baking
- Elevate wings on a rack for air flow
- Apply sauce towards end of baking time
- Broil 2-3 minutes to finish
Frying
- Double fry for ultra crispiness
- Toss in sauce immediately after frying
- Fry at slightly lower temp if needed
Troubleshooting Common Sauce Problems
Even when you follow these tips, you may still encounter some sticking points (pun intended). Here are some quick fixes for common issues.
Sauce Sliding Off
- Ensure wings are fully dried
- Use a thicker sauce or reduce as needed
- Allow sauce to fully set before serving
Sauce Burning
- Lower temp slightly if needed
- Use less sugary sauce
- Watch closely and adjust cook time
Uneven Coverage
- Use brush or spoon for even application
- Don’t overcrowd wings
- Cook wings of consistent size
Elevating Your Wings
Once you’ve nailed down the basics, it’s time to have fun and get creative. The possibilities for customization are endless.
Make Your Own Sauces
- Come up with unique flavor combos
- Add molasses, honey or maple syrup
- Experiment with spices and peppers
Coat Wings Before Saucing
- Create a flavorful base with a dry rub
- Try wet marinades for extra moisture
Double Up on Sauces
- Layer buffalo and BBQ for a tangy twist
- Coat in teriyaki and Sriracha for an Asian zing
Finish with a Drizzle
- Drizzle wings with infused olive oils
- Brush wings with maple butter
- Coat in a creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing
The science of adhesion may seem complex, but have confidence knowing that proper preparation, smart application, and a little creativity will ensure your wings are always finger-licking perfection. Just remember to keep a stack of napkins close by!
Ingredients for Barbecue Chicken Wings
Taste of Home
- Chicken wings: We usually start our chicken wing recipes with whole wings to create a perfect mix of drumettes and wingettes (aka “flats”). If you don’t want to separate them at home, pick up a package of already-separated party wings from the store.
- Wing seasoning: Baking powder helps oven-baked wings become crispy. We also add seasonings, including salt, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper and cayenne pepper, to the baking powder.
- Butter and vegetable oil: Cooking oil helps the wings crisp up in the oven, and butter adds richness.
- Barbecue sauce: The best barbecue sauce for chicken wings is the one you like the most! Use a store-bought bottle or make a homemade version of your favorite regional barbecue sauce.
Barbecue Chicken Wing Tips
Taste of Home
Easiest BBQ Sauce ever
FAQ
How do you get barbecue sauce to stick to chicken wings?
- Start with dry chicken wings. Pat them dry with paper towels as a first step.
- Use a dry rub. A simple flour and seasoning mixture will give the sauce something to cling to during cooking and help it stay put.
- Baste the wings with the sauce in the last few minutes of cooking.
How to make barbecue sauce stick to the chicken?
To ensure barbecue sauce sticks to baked chicken, pat the chicken dry with paper towels before applying the sauce. You can also brush a thin layer of oil or melted butter onto the chicken before adding the sauce, which helps the sauce adhere better during baking.
How do I get my sauce to stick to my wings?
We Recommend. The key to getting the sauce to stick to your wings is the flour, Sidoti says. Before you toss your chicken in sauce, coat them with enough flour or dry mixture (aka a seasonings mixture or dry rub).
Do you put barbecue sauce on wings before or after cooking?
Pouring the fat from the baking pans and adding the sauce towards the end of the cooking time is the trick. I used two pans because you don’t want to crowd the wings.
Does BBQ sauce stick to chicken wings?
The key to getting BBQ sauce (or any sauce) to stick to chicken wings is to ensure they have a dry rub, seasoning mixture, or flour coating on them first. This way, the sauce has something to cling to after the chicken wings are cooked.
How do you make sauce stick to chicken wings?
The key to getting the sauce to stick to your wings is the flour, Sidoti says. Before you toss your chicken in sauce, coat them with enough flour or dry mixture (aka a seasonings mixture or dry rub). Make sure to dredge the entire wing before tossing it in your chosen sauce — this will help ensure an even distribution of sauce, too.
How do you make sticky BBQ chicken wings?
Sauce: Opt for a spicy or smoky BBQ sauce for this recipe, as it helps balance out the sweetness from the brown sugar and the honey. Cornstarch: Using cornstarch to make sticky BBQ chicken wings makes them crispier as they fry in the pan. If you don’t have cornstarch, you can sub 1/4 more of flour.
How do you make fried chicken wings stick?
Each time you coat your wings a little bit more of the sauce should stick. Instead of using an oven, you can also toss the wings back onto a warm grill. The heat will help set the sauce and make it super sticky. But don’t use too much heat or you’ll split the sauce and it won’t stick at all!
What are sticky BBQ chicken wings?
These Sticky BBQ Chicken Wings are to die for! They’re crispy, saucy, smoky, sweet, and utterly delicious. Created with a homemade sauce, flavorful sauce, these BBQ chicken wings are quite addictive. Serve them as an appetizer or side for game day or get-togethers! Save this recipe! Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox!
How do you make buffalo sauce stick to wings?
You’re not the first person to wonder how to make buffalo sauce stick to wings. The key to getting the sauce to stick to your wings is the flour, Sidoti says. Before you toss your chicken in sauce, coat them with enough flour or dry mixture (aka a seasonings mixture or dry rub).