Part of the joy of barbecue season is the distinctive smell of food sizzling over an open flame. But taking out the barbecue, cleaning it, preparing it and storing it is a major operation.
UK-based TikTok creator @TastyUK has given us a super helpful shortcut to getting all that smoky, wood-fired barbecue flavor – without the hassle.
Sharing her tip on TikTok, the food influencer uses an air fryer to create a smoked jerk chicken wing – adding apple wood chips to the space between the bottom of the air fryer and the basket.
She explains, “I added flavored wood chips to the bottom of my fryer to see if they would add more flavor to my BBQ jerk wings and guess what? It did.”
“You see, there’s a little space between the bottom of the fryer and the basket where you can add the wood chips,” she continued.
TikTok creator @TastyUK has given us a super helpful shortcut to getting authentic wood-fired barbecue flavour.

The creator adds apple wood chips to the space between the bottom of the air fryer and the basket to enhance the taste of her jerk chicken wings
This TikTok creator used Extreme BBQ apple wood chips, available on Amazon for £6.75.
There are many other flavors to choose from, including hickory, cherry, and cognac wood chips.
The creator then revealed her foolproof recipe for jerk chicken wings, telling viewers: “Not only do these wings taste amazing, they’re also so tender and juicy and the marinade is so simple – it’s just jerk seasoning, cumin, barbecue sauce and a drizzle of honey.
Followers shared their approval of the air fryer hack, with one writing: “OMG we are so into this,” while another said: “What? I am so into these!!”
Another tip if you’re short on time and want to jazz up your air fryer dishes is to rub an onion on the rack (or racks) of the basket to infuse meats and vegetables during the cooking process.
This also mimics the flavors of barbecue, with a hint of fried onions.
Food experts at online grocery store Getir recommended this tip as a way to maximize the flavor of barbecue-style dishes like grilled meats, kebabs and corn on the cob.
A spokesperson for the brand told The Express: “Before you start air frying, a great tip is to cut an onion in half and rub it on the grates of the basket.

The TikTok creators’ recipe consists of jerk seasoning, cumin, barbecue sauce and a drizzle of honey

Barbecue experts also recommend letting the fryer get very hot before putting the food in for a crispier finish.
“This instantly adds a quick hit of seasoning and flavor to your food.
“Plus, the acidity and natural enzymes in onions prevent food from sticking to the basket, making cleanup much easier.”
Food experts also suggest letting the air fryer heat up completely before placing food in it, if you want to replicate the barbecue cooking process as quickly as possible.
Getir experts said: “Just like you let a barbecue heat up before placing food on the grill, it’s crucial to preheat your air fryer in the same way to maximise the crispiness and replicate the high heat of a barbecue.
“Preheat your air fryer for three to five minutes to between 175°C and 200°C, which is the best temperature for cooking most barbecue-style foods. This high heat will ensure a crispy exterior sear and a juicy, tender interior.