Lemon Pepper Wings (Air Fryer or Oven) + Video
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Lemon pepper wings made in an air fryer are juicy and crispy like deep-fried, but lower in fat! Make this recipe for appetizers or dinner!
There are so many different chicken wing recipes that you can try besides the standard Buffalo wings. You have got to try a few of my other wing recipes.
Easy Crockpot Honey Chicken Wings are so tender the meat falls off the bone and melts in your mouth. The caramelized sweet and spicy sauce is truly enough to make your taste buds sing!
Crockpot Chicken Wings have a spicy Buffalo sauce for a fantastic snack or light meal. Make this slow cooker recipe for game day parties!
Sriracha Honey Chicken Wings are baked wings that are perfect for game day or non-game day get together. They are sweet and spicy with a great added layer of flavor from the limes.
How to Make Lemon Pepper Wings
These air fryer chicken wings are easy to make. You simply place the coated wings in the basket with a little oil, then cook them until they are done.
What makes this recipe truly stand out is the delicious lemon pepper sauce. After you remove the wings from the air fryer, you toss them in the creamy sauce. The flavor is amazing!
How to make lemon pepper wing sauce
NOTE: It’s important that you zest the lemons at least 5 hours before you make the sauce. You can even zest them the night before, like I do. Then, leave the zest on a plate and let it sit out on the kitchen counter until it dries.
- Combine sauce ingredients: Add melted butter, lemon zest and seasonings to a small bowl, then whisk to combine.
- Coat the wings: When the chicken wings come out of the air fryer, place them into a stainless steel mixing bowl. Pour the sauce over the wings and use tongs to move the pieces around in the sauce to coat them completely.
FAQ – Common recipe questions
How many wings will fit in an air fryer
When you’re making air fryer wings, how many pieces you can fit in your fryer really depends on the brand you have. While it’s tempting to stack them to maximize space, keep the wings on one level with enough space around them to allow air to circulate.
This recipe makes enough for 4 pounds of chicken wings, drumettes, and flats.
Can I make these air fryer wings with skinless chicken?
Yes, you can make this Lemon Pepper Wings recipe with skinless chicken. If you’d prefer to make them boneless and skinless, you can serve them as popcorn chicken rather than wings.
Can I make these wings in the oven?
I just love the convenience of my air fryer. But, you can make lemon pepper wings in the oven rather than the air fryer if you prefer.
You will need to spray each wing with olive oil so that it gets crispy. Follow the remainder of the recipe as it’s written but bake them for 45 minutes at 400°F.
How to keep air fryer wings crispy
To keep these crispy, it’s important that you don’t stack the wings in the air fryer. Make sure that there is enough air circulation between each piece.
If you are making a large batch, you can place them on a rack over a cookie sheet in a warm oven while the rest of them finish cooking. Just set the oven to 250 to 300°F to keep things warm.
Serving suggestions
If you’re wondering what to serve with this entree recipe, you can keep it casual with these Grilled Sweet Potato Fries. We serve these with a Chipotle Lime Mayo Dipping Sauce.
Or, this Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe is a delicious healthy side dish. Crisp cucumbers and luscious tomatoes tossed in a bright and creamy lemon poppy seed dressing.
If you like this lemon pepper wings recipe, you should make this lemon pepper baked brown rice, too! The lemon gives a tangy flavor and contrast to the pepper.
How to store leftovers
You can store your cooked chicken in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Make sure that they are in a container with a tightly fitting lid.
To reheat your leftovers, just toss them back in the air fryer for 4 minutes at 360°F and then 5 minutes at 400°F. This will make them crispy once again.
Enjoy!
With love from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Lemon Pepper Wings (Air Fryer or Oven) + Video
Ingredients
Wings
- 4 pounds chicken wings, drumettes and flats
- 1 tablespoon baking powder, aluminum-free
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Lemon Pepper Sauce
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon dried lemon zest*
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F. Place the wings in a large bowl, add the baking powder, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Toss to combine.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and place the wings in the basket in a single layer, not touching. Air fry for 12 minutes, flip, and air fry an additional 12 minutes. Continue until all the wings are done.
- Meanwhile; place all of the sauce ingredients in a small bowl, whisk to combine. Toss wings in sauce.
Video
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published September 2020
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link your price will remain the same and The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
This sounds so delicious, can't wait to make them.
Made this recipe tonight, a true winner! Thank you so much!!!!
I love when you give the option of air-fryer and the oven. I love these both ways, but I have to say oven wins on this one. As it bakes the flavor is more prominent. I will be making these for gatherings
Are the wings frozen prior to air frying them?