Dinner

Easy Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings – Baked or Air Fried Recipe

Name: Easy Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings – Baked or Air Fried Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pounds chicken wings (flat wingettes and drumettes); 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; 4 tablespoons butter (melted); 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 2 teaspoons lemon zest; 2 teaspoons black pepper; ½ teaspoon honey; ½ teaspoon garlic powder

ByClara Bennett October 26, 2025October 26, 2025

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Introduction

These Easy Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings are a perfect balance of tangy citrus and bold peppery flavor, crispy on the outside and juicy inside. Whether baked in the oven or air fried, they make a fantastic snack or appetizer for any occasion.

A round white plate holds a pile of golden-brown chicken wings, cooked to a crispy texture with a shiny glaze of sauce. Thin lemon slices are tucked around and under the wings, adding bright yellow and pale translucent light. Fresh green herb pieces are scattered on top of the wings, giving a fresh look. The background is a white marbled surface, with a bright yellow lemon visible in the upper right corner and a small white bowl filled with whole black peppercorns at the bottom right. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 pounds chicken wings (flat wingettes and drumettes)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
4 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons lemon zest
2 teaspoons black pepper
½ teaspoon honey
½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. For extra crispiness, place a wire cooling rack on the baking sheet and arrange the wings on top.
Step 2: Pat the chicken wings dry thoroughly with paper towels. The drier the wings, the crispier they will become.
Step 3: In a large bowl, toss the wings with baking powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
Step 4: Arrange the coated wings on the wire rack and bake for 45–50 minutes, flipping them halfway through at about 25 minutes.
Step 5: While the wings bake, prepare the lemon sauce by mixing melted butter, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper, honey, and garlic powder in a small bowl.
Step 6: Once the wings are fully cooked and crispy, transfer them to a large bowl and pour the lemon pepper sauce over them.
Step 7: Toss the wings gently to coat them evenly in the flavorful lemon pepper sauce. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispy wings, make sure to dry them very well and consider using a wire rack when baking.
You can substitute baking powder with baking soda, but use only half the amount to avoid a metallic taste.
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce if you like a spicy kick.
If air frying, cook at 400°F for 25–30 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Storage

Store any leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to retain crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it may make the skin soggy.