Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings Recipe
Crispy, zesty, and bursting with flavor, these lemon pepper chicken wings are the ultimate crowd-pleaser! Perfect for game day, a weekend snack, or any casual gathering, this recipe will show you how to make these wings in both the oven and air fryer.
Serve these wings with Crinkle Cut Fries or Air Fryer Fries for a totally delicious meal! Dip these wings in Homemade Ranch Dressing or Blue Cheese Dressing!
Why Make Lemon Pepper Wings?
Lemon pepper wings are the ultimate combination of zesty, tangy, and savory flavors that satisfy every craving. Here’s why they deserve a spot on your menu:
- Bold, Bright Flavor: The citrusy zing of lemon pepper seasoning gives these wings an earthy kick and flavor explosion in every bite.
- Crispy Perfection: Whether baked, fried, or air-fried, lemon pepper wings get irresistibly crispy while staying juicy inside.
- Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for game day, parties, or a flavorful dinner, these wings are a guaranteed hit with everyone.
- Easy to Make: With just a handful of ingredients, you can whip up restaurant-quality wings right at home.
These wings are proof that simple ingredients can make something extraordinary. So why not try them for your next meal or gathering?
What You Need for Lemon Pepper Wings
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs chicken wings (drumettes and flats)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 Tbsps lemon pepper seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Sauce
- 3 Tbsps melted butter
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tbs fresh parsley, more for for garnish
- lemon zest of one lemon
Equipment:
- Baking sheet with a wire rack or an air fryer
- Parchment paper (if baking)
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs
Step-by-Step Instructions
Baking Instructions:
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top for even cooking.
- Prepare the Wings: Make sure chicken wings are completely defrosted, then pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. This ensures crispy skin. In a large bowl, toss the wings with baking powder, then once coated, toss with olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning, and garlic powder.
- Bake the Wings: Arrange the wings on the wire rack in a single layer, ensuring they aren’t touching, and there is room around each one. Bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until wings are golden brown and crispy.
- Make the Lemon Butter Sauce: While the wings are baking, mix melted butter and fresh lemon juice in a small bowl with parsley.
- Toss and Serve: Once the wings are done, toss them in the lemon butter sauce. Garnish with additional fresh parsley and lemon zest if desired and serve immediately.
Air Fryer Instructions:
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Prepare the Wings: Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss them with olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, and salt.
- Air Fry the Wings: Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they’re not overcrowded. Cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) in the last 2-3 minutes for extra crispiness.
- Make the Lemon Butter Sauce: While the wings are cooking, mix melted butter and fresh lemon juice in a small bowl. Stir in parsley.
- Toss and Serve: Toss the cooked wings in the lemon butter sauce. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Substitutions and Variations
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning: Make your own by combining lemon zest, black pepper, salt, and a pinch of garlic powder.
- Butter Substitute: Use olive oil or ghee for a dairy-free option.
- Spicy Variation: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or drizzle the wings with hot sauce for a kick.
- Honey Lemon Pepper Wings: Mix a teaspoon of honey into the lemon butter sauce for a touch of sweetness.
- Grilled Wings: Grill the wings over medium heat for a smoky flavor.
How to Store
Place leftover wings in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Ensure they are completely cooled before storing to prevent condensation.
How to Reheat
- Oven: Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Spread the wings on a baking sheet and heat for 10-12 minutes until warmed through.
- Air Fryer: Reheat at 380°F (193°C) for 5-7 minutes.
- Microwave: Place wings on a microwave-safe plate and heat in 30-second increments, but note that they may lose some crispiness.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese, or a spicy aioli.
- Pair with celery sticks, carrot sticks, or a light side salad.
- Make it a meal with a side of crinkle cut fries or coleslaw.
- Perfect alongside other appetizers like mozzarella sticks or loaded nachos for a party spread.
Whether baked or air-fried, these lemon pepper chicken wings are sure to impress. Crispy, flavorful, and oh-so-easy to make, this recipe is bound to become a household favorite!
Other Awesome Wing Recipes
- Crispy Baked Garlic Parmesan Wings
- Instant Pot Chicken Wings
- Buffalo Wings
- Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Wings (The Best Ever)
- Spicy Jamaican Crockpot Wings
- Apricot Glaze Wings
- Barbecue Chicken Wings

Lemon Pepper Wings
Equipment
- Baking sheet with a wire rack or an air fryer
- Parchment paper (if baking)
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken wings drumettes and flats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 Tbsps lemon pepper seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Sauce
- 3 Tbsps melted butter
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tbs fresh parsley more for for garnish
- 1 zest of a lemon
Instructions
Baking Instructions:
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top for even cooking.
- Prepare the Wings: Make sure chicken wings are completely defrosted, then pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. This ensures crispy skin. In a large bowl, toss the wings with baking powder, then once coated, toss with olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning, and garlic powder.
- Bake the Wings: Arrange the wings on the wire rack in a single layer, ensuring they aren’t touching, and there is room around each one. Bake for 40-45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until wings are golden brown and crispy.
- Make the Lemon Butter Sauce: While the wings are baking, mix melted butter and fresh lemon juice in a small bowl with parsley.
- Toss and Serve: Once the wings are done, toss them in the lemon butter sauce. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Air Fryer Instructions:
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Prepare the Wings: Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss them with olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, and salt.
- Air Fry the Wings: Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they’re not overcrowded. Cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) in the last 2-3 minutes for extra crispiness.
- Make the Lemon Butter Sauce: While the wings are cooking, mix melted butter and fresh lemon juice in a small bowl. Stir in parsley.
- Toss and Serve: Toss the cooked wings in the lemon butter sauce. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
Lemon Pepper Seasoning: Make your own by combining lemon zest, black pepper, salt, and a pinch of garlic powder.
Butter Substitute: Use olive oil or ghee for a dairy-free option.
Spicy Variation: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or drizzle the wings with hot sauce for a kick.
Honey Lemon Pepper Wings: Mix a teaspoon of honey into the lemon butter sauce for a touch of sweetness.
Grilled Wings: Grill the wings over medium heat for a smoky flavor. To store: Place leftover wings in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Ensure they are completely cooled before storing to prevent condensation. How to Reheat:
Oven: Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Spread the wings on a baking sheet and heat for 10-12 minutes until warmed through.
Air Fryer: Reheat at 380°F (193°C) for 5-7 minutes.
Microwave: Place wings on a microwave-safe plate and heat in 30-second increments, but note that they may lose some crispiness.
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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