November 06, 2026
Hi there! I’m Mike Cooperman, Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Founder of Fortitude Research and Marketing. For more than 20 years, I’ve worked in strategic marketing, communications, and branding for companies ranging from tech startups to Fortune 100 firms. At Fortitude, my work is centered on listening to the voice of the customer and sharing insights that help businesses in our profession better understand and serve families.
Just recently, our company partnered with Passare and Funeral Directors Life to create the Funeral Connections Report to do just that!
When I’m not at work, one hobby I enjoy is firing up the pellet grill. I’m excited to share this chicken wing recipe because it’s easy and delivers one of my favorite results: crispy skin without frying.
Crispy wings without the fryer
With just chicken wings, olive oil, and your favorite rub, this cook keeps things simple while still delivering big flavor.
The magic is in the “0-400 method”. Instead of preheating the pellet smoker, I place the prepared wings on the cold grill first, then crank up the heat to 400 degrees. As the smoker temperature climbs, the wings cook evenly, absorb that wood-fired flavor, and finish with the kind of crisp skin everyone reaches for first.
Ingredients and supplies
- Chicken wings
- Olive oil
- Your favorite BBQ rub (I used FDL’s Roasted Garlic seasoning)
- Pellet grill or pellet smoker
- Tongs
Cooking Instructions
Prep the wings:
Lay out the wings and pat them dry - a really important step to getting that crispy skin. Spray or brush olive oil on one side, then generously dust the wings with your favorite rub. Flip the wings and repeat with olive oil and rub on the other side.
Use the 0-400 method:
Place the wings on the smoker before turning it on. Set the pellet smoker to 400 degrees and let the wings cook as the grill comes up to temperature.
Flip and finish:
At 30 minutes, flip the wings. Cook for 10 more minutes, then flip again. After another 10 minutes, flip one more time. Cook for a final 10 minutes, then pull the wings off the smoker and enjoy.
Top side dish recommendations
I like to pair these crispy wings with crisp veggies and a creamy mac and cheese. The veggies add a fresh crunch, and the mac and cheese brings that classic comfort-food richness that goes so well with smoky, savory wings.
Helping funeral professionals better understand today's families
At Fortitude, I’m grateful for the opportunity to share insights and consumer feedback to help businesses better understand the customers they serve. Through our recent work with Passare and FDL, I’ve had the chance to share insights that help funeral professionals better understand what families need today and how the profession can continue to serve them. It’s been a great experience!
Join the BBQ community
Join a group of funeral professionals who love what they do, and love to barbecue. Submit your experience here. 👇
