Description
There’s something magical about the combination of tangy lemon, bold black pepper, and sticky, sweet honey. These Lemon Pepper Wings with Honey are the ultimate crowd-pleaser—crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and packed with zesty, peppery, and sweet flavors that make every bite absolutely addictive! Whether you’re making them for game night, a backyard BBQ, or a casual dinner, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit.
Ingredients
For the Wings:
- 2 lbs chicken wings (split into drumettes and flats)
- 1 tbsp baking powder (for crispiness)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
For the Honey Glaze:
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp butter (melted)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions
Prep the Wings
Pat the wings dry using a paper towel to remove excess moisture—this is key to crispiness!
In a large bowl, toss the wings with baking powder, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon pepper seasoning until evenly coated.
Cooking Methods
Oven Method (Crispy & Easy!)
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
Place a wire rack over a baking sheet lined with foil (for easy cleanup).
Arrange the wings on the rack in a single layer.
Bake for 45-50 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crispy.
Air Fryer Method (Super Quick!)
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Arrange wings in a single layer (work in batches if needed).
Cook for 20-25 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Deep Frying Method (Extra Crispy!)
Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 375°F (190°C).
Fry wings in batches for 8-10 minutes until golden and crispy.
Drain on paper towels.
Make the Honey Lemon Glaze
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
Stir in honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Toss & Serve
Transfer hot wings to a large bowl.
Pour the warm honey glaze over the wings and toss to coat.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Pat the wings dry before seasoning – Moisture is the enemy of crispiness! Use a paper towel to remove excess water for the best results.
- Baking powder is the secret to crispy wings – It helps create that perfect crunch when baking or air frying. Just don’t confuse it with baking soda!
- For the best flavor, use fresh lemon zest – It gives a brighter citrus kick compared to bottled lemon juice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Baking, Air Frying, Deep Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5-6 wings
- Calories: ~320
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 700mg