Description
These Honey Lemon Pepper Wings are a delightful combination of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors that will leave you craving more. Perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, they are a must-try for any wing lover.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2–3 pounds fresh chicken wings
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (canola or vegetable)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder (optional)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- Juice of 2–3 fresh lemons (about 1/4 – 1/3 cup)
- Zest of 1–2 lemons
- 2–3 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of salt (for sauce)
Instructions
- Prep the Wings for Perfection
- Pat Them Dry: Thoroughly pat every single wing dry with paper towels.
- Season Generously: In a large bowl, toss your dried wings with neutral oil, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and freshly ground black pepper. If desired, add baking powder for extra crispiness.
- Cook the Wings to Crispy Perfection (Choose Your Method!)
- Oven Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the seasoned wings in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Bake for 45-60 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Air Frying: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C). Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 20-25 minutes, flipping every 7-8 minutes.
- Deep Frying: Heat 2-3 inches of neutral oil in a pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry wings in a single layer for 8-10 minutes until golden brown. For extra crispiness, double fry at 375°F (190°C) for 2-4 minutes.
- Whip Up the Honey Lemon Pepper Sauce
- Melt the Butter: Melt 1/2 cup of unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Build the Flavor: Stir in honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, and freshly ground black pepper. Add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
- Simmer and Thicken: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Toss and Serve!
- Coat Those Wings: Transfer cooked wings to a large bowl.
- Sauce It Up: Pour the warm honey lemon pepper sauce over the wings.
- Toss to Coat: Use tongs to toss the wings until thoroughly coated.
- Serve Immediately: Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with lemon wedges and parsley, and enjoy!
Notes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking, Air Frying, Deep Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: Honey Lemon Pepper Wings, Chicken Wings, Appetizer