Baked Sticky Chicken Drumsticks with Cherry Glaze

Baked sticky chicken drumsticks cooked in a wonderfully easy and quick cherry jam, treacle and balsamic vinegar glaze, finger-licking food!

This very simple recipe takes around 45 minutes to prepare and cook, and they are just as good cooked in an air fryer and on the BBQ.

Glazed Sticky Chicken Drummers

I love chicken with a sweet and sticky glaze, and I have loads of examples on my website.

Everything from the British take on hunters chicken to countless wing recipes ranging from honey and sriracha chicken wings to harissa and date chicken wings.

My latest offering is some wonderful chicken drumsticks in a sticky cherry jam and balsamic vinegar glaze.

They are wonderfully easy to make; you throw some ingredients into a pan and reduce them down to make a glaze.

Then all you do is season the chicken, pour over the glaze and cook them in the oven for around 30 minutes... then dinner is ready!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is black treacle?

This question is often asked by US-based readers of my site. Black treacle is similar (but slightly different) to blackstrap molasses, and that is the best substitution if you need to use one.

Can I use a different cut of chicken?

Yes, this marinade works well with chicken wings, thighs or even chicken breast.

Naturally, the timings will need to change, but you are looking for an internal temperature of at least 73°C or 165°F for all of them.

Can I cook these chicken drumsticks in an air fryer?

Yes, I would cook them at 180°C or 350°F for 20 minutes, then give them a quick blast at 200°C or 390°F for 5-7 minutes to get a nice colour.

Again, you are looking for an internal temperature of 73°C or 165°F.

Can I cook these drummers on the BBQ?

Yes, these work wonderfully on the BBQ. For detailed instructions and timings, see my beer and honey BBQ chicken drumstick recipe.

Serving Suggestions

I've served my oven-baked sticky chicken wings with some potato wedges, I think a potato-based side works best.

But wedges are definitely not the only game in town; everything from air fryer chips to fried new potatoes and even these roasted Parmentier potatoes would work well too.

Potatoes ain't the only "fruit" either, my fried polenta chips are awesome with these chicken drummers.

If you wanted to double down on the sweetness, something like sweet potato fries would work well, too.

Finally, add some simple dressed salad leaves or a nice green salad, and you are ready to rock and roll.

Equipment Used

I only mention brands of equipment if I think that they make a material difference to a recipe. But if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section below the recipe.

• Hob/stovetop.
• 15cm or 6" saucepan.
• Stirring spoon.
• Oven. You can cook these in an air fryer or on the BBQ. See the FAQ section further up the page.
• Baking tray.
• Cooling rack.
• Kitchen tongs.
• A combination of weighing scales, a measuring jug, measuring cups and spoons.
• Quick-read meat thermometer (optional).