These Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings are everything you want in the classic appetizer, with perfectly crispy skin and juicy, flavorful chicken in every bite. Seasoned with simple spices, air-fried until golden and crunchy, and tossed in a garlicky lemon butter sauce, they’re bright, zesty, and bold without the mess of deep frying. Ready in about 30 minutes, they’re so good that no one will believe they weren’t delivered from your local wing spot!
Crispy, Saucy Lemon Pepper Wings
Listen, y’all, I love crispy baked buffalo chicken wings and classic fried chicken wings as much as the next person. However, these lemon pepper chicken wings are my absolute favorite. In the words of Beyonce, it’s “top 2 and it ain’t number 2!”
They’re bright, buttery, garlicky, and packed with bold citrus flavor, with ultra-crispy skin and tender, juicy meat in every bite. The air fryer makes them golden and crunchy without deep frying, and that zesty lemon pepper butter sauce? It clings to every wing and keeps you reaching for just one more, licking your fingers when they’re gone. You’ll never order takeout wings again! Yes, that means you can stop spending all of your money at Wing Stop because these are wayyyy better!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Chicken Wings: I prefer split chicken wings so I get both drums and flats, but you can use whatever you prefer.
Avocado Oil: This helps the seasonings cling to the chicken and contributes to the crispy skin. Any neutral-tasting oil will work.
Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder create a savory flavor base that complements the lemon pepper sauce without being overpowering.
Baking Powder: This is crucial for the best homemade wings without frying! Baking powder raises the chicken’s pH level, breaking down the proteins and drawing out moisture, leading to delicious crispy skin.
Lemon Pepper Sauce: Store-bought options don’t compare to the homemade stuff. All you need is fresh lemon juice, butter, Mrs. Dash lemon pepper seasoning, garlic, lemon zest, butter, salt, and parsley.
How to Make Lemon Pepper Wings in the Air Fryer
Step 1. Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels, and toss them with oil, spices, and baking powder.
Step 2. Arrange the wings in an even layer in an air fryer basket, and cook until they’re golden and crisp, shaking or flipping them halfway through. It’s important to arrange the wings in an even layer to ensure they crisp nicely on all sides. Work in batches, if needed!
Step 3. While the wings cook, make the lemon pepper sauce. First, add Mrs. Dash lemon pepper seasoning to a bowl with salt. Next, melt the butter in a small saucepan or skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic, and cook until fragrant. Then, whisk in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and spices. Turn off the heat, and stir in the chopped parsley.
Step 4. Transfer the cooked wings to a large bowl, and pour the sauce on top. Toss to coat the wings, add the remaining lemon pepper seasoning, and season to taste.
Step 5. Place on a platter and serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce!
Can I Bake Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings Instead?
Yes, they won’t be quite as crisp, but they’ll still be tasty. To make a baked lemon pepper wings recipe, preheat your oven to 425°F, and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Then, season the wings as usual, and arrange them in an even layer on a baking sheet, leaving space between each piece. Bake for about 40-50 minutes or until the skin is golden brown and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, flipping halfway through.
Prepare the lemon pepper sauce in the last few minutes of baking, and toss the wings while they’re warm.
Can I Fry Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings Instead?
Yes, you can absolutely fry them instead! Simply season your wings the same way, heat your oil to about 350–375°F, and fry until they’re golden brown, crispy, and cooked through (the chicken should at least reach 165°F, but I let mine fry a bit longer because I like mine extra crispy). Once done, toss the wings in the sauce as the recipe states.
How to Store
Transfer cooled wings to an airtight container, and store them in the fridge for 3-4 days. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 2 months!
For the best results, omit the sauce, and freeze the air-fried wings on a baking sheet until solid. Then, transfer them to a sealable bag or an airtight container to store.
To serve, thaw frozen wings in the fridge, and heat them in the air fryer at 375°F for 6-10 minutes or until they’re warmed through and crisp. Prepare the sauce while the wings heat, toss them immediately, and enjoy.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes
- Fried Chicken Tenders
- Crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken
- Marry Me Chicken Pasta
- Easy Chicken Alfredo Pasta
- Homemade Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits
- The Best Chicken and Gumbo Sausage
I hope you love my Lemon Pepper Wings Recipe! The wings are crispy, juicy, savory, bright, and made completely without frying. If you do give this recipe a try, I want to know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @butterloveandsalt on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews help support Butter, Love & Salt and make it possible for me to continue to create delicious recipes.
Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings
Ingredients
Lemon Pepper Wings
- 2 pounds chicken wings split (party wings)
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Lemon Pepper Sauce
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp +1/2 tsp Mrs. Dash lemon pepper seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp more to salt to taste
- 1/2 tbsp finely chopped parsley
Instructions
- Prep the chicken and pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels and then add them to a large mixing bowl. Toss the chicken wings with oil, salt, garlic powder, baking powder, and onion powder.
- Once the air fryer has preheated, place the wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook the wings at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until the wings are crispy and golden, shaking the basket or flipping halfway through. Depending on the size of your air fryer you may have to break this up into two batches.
- When the wing has about 5-10 minutes left to cook, make the lemon pepper sauce. First, add the Mrs. Dash lemon pepper seasoning to a small bowl with the salt. Set aside.
- Then, add the butter to a small sauce pan or skillet and heat to medium-low heat to melt the butter. Once melted, add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds or until fragrant. Next, add lemon zest, lemon juice, 1 tbsp of the lemon pepper seasoning you made and mix until well combined. Turn the heat off and stir in the chopped parsley. Set the sauce aside (no need to remove it from the pan/skillet).
- Once the wings are done, transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Add the lemon pepper sauce to the chicken wings and toss until they are well coated. If your sauce has solidified, simply warm it up a bit. This is why I like to keep it in the pan. Next, add the remaining lemon pepper seasoning you made to the wings (adjust to your taste preference, but I use it all, lol).
- Taste test a wing to ensure it doesn’t need anything. Serve and enjoy!
Nutritional Information
Recipe by: Chavez Adams / Butter, Love & Salt | Photography by: Meg McKeehan.
My husband loves wings but I was always nervous to make them myself. I made these last night when we had friends over and they were an absolute hit! My husband said they were the best wings he’s ever had. Our friends were impressed that there was not “batter” and that only 1 TB of oil was needed. They were nice and crispy! The lemon pepper sauce on top was just top notch. I will definitely be making these again. Thanks for the recipe Chavez!
This makes me so happy! So glad this recipe was a hit! I actually think I am going to make these wings tomorrow! Lol