Crispy, golden Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings, made in the oven or air fryer, are perfect for a quick meal or appetizer with minimal prep! A real crowd pleaser.
If you’ve ever had that delightful crunch and tangy zest of lemon pepper chicken wings, then you know exactly how addictive they can be.
They're crispy, packed with flavor, and surprisingly easy to make at home.
What’s even better is that you can whip these up with just a handful of ingredients, many of which you probably already have in your pantry.
Whether you're craving a quick snack or planning a meal to impress your guests, these lemon pepper wings are the way to go. I love serving them up with Basil Aioli, Wingstop Ranch (copycat), or Guinness Barbecue Sauce.
This recipe is so straightforward. You can bake the wings in the oven or use an air fryer if you're short on time.
I’ve made these countless times for everything from casual weeknight dinners to game day parties. It’s the kind of recipe that I return to over and over because it's reliable, quick, and always delicious.
What I love most about these lemon pepper wings is the balance of flavors. You’ve got the fresh citrusy zing from the lemon, the earthy kick from the herbs, and that signature lemon pepper spice.
The chicken crisps up beautifully, and every bite is juicy and satisfying.
Jump to:
Why You Should Make This Recipe
- Delicious flavor – Lemon pepper wings have a unique, savory flavor that makes them a hit with any crowd.
- Easy to make – Lemon pepper wings are simple to make and require minimal ingredients.
- Variety of recipes – These wings can be made in a variety of ways, including baked or air fried.
- Versatile – They can be served as an appetizer, snack, or main dish.
- Affordable – This recipe is inexpensive to make and can be served in large quantities.
- Protein-packed – Chicken wings are a great source of lean protein, making them a healthy option.
- Customizable – Lemon pepper seasoning can be adjusted to fit individual tastes.
- Crowd pleaser – Lemon and pepper wings are always a hit with family and friends at a party.
Ingredients
- Chicken wings – Whether you buy full wings or pre-cut drummettes, both work great for this recipe. Just make sure to cut them into smaller pieces if you're starting with whole wings.
- Oil – Olive oil is a solid choice here, but vegetable oil or canola oil will work just fine. You need a little fat to help get that golden crispy texture.
- Lemon juice & zest – Fresh lemon is essential for the bright, citrusy flavor. If you don’t have fresh lemons, bottled juice can work, but I recommend using zest from fresh lemons if you can.
- Lemon pepper – This is the star of the recipe. If you don't have it, you can easily make your own by mixing black pepper with lemon zest and salt.
- Salt – This is to balance out the flavors. I like using kosher salt for seasoning, but table salt is fine too.
- Italian herbs – Dried Italian seasoning gives a subtle herbal backdrop to the wings. Feel free to substitute with dried basil, oregano, or thyme if needed.
- Garlic powder – Adds depth and savoriness to the seasoning mix.
See the recipe card for the full method and quantities.
Instructions
If you're wondering how to make this recipe, don't worry, it's easy!
Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.
If using full wings, cut each wing into two pieces (flat and drumette). If the wing has a tip, cut it off and discard it. Place the wings in a deep bowl.
Add the oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, lemon pepper, garlic, herbs, and salt, to a small bowl and stir to combine.
Pour the lemon mixture over the wings and stir to coat. If you wish, cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to marinade.
To oven bake:
Preheat the oven to 390°F.
Cover a baking sheet with parchment or foil.
Transfer chicken wings to parchment paper and bake for 15 minutes, then turn each one over with tongs and bake for a further 5 minutes or until browned and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F).
To Air Fry:
Place the seasoned wings into the basket of the air fryer in a single layer (you may need to cook them in batches).
Air Fry at 390°F for 15 minutes, then use tongs to turn each one over and cook for a further 5 minutes, until browned and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F).
Tip: If the wings are small, do not bake them for a long time, as the meat will become dry.
Variations
This recipe is easy to adjust to suit different tastes or dietary needs. Here are 10 variations you can try:
- Cajun Lemon Pepper Wings – Add a sprinkle of Cajun seasoning for a zesty, spicy combination.Dipping Sauces for Lemon Pepper Wings
- Spicy Lemon Pepper Wings – Add red pepper flakes or cayenne for an extra kick.
- Sweet Lemon Pepper Wings – Mix in a tablespoon of honey or brown sugar for a touch of sweetness.
- Garlic Lemon Pepper Wings – Double the garlic powder for a more intense garlic flavor.
- Lemon Herb Wings – Add fresh thyme or rosemary for a deeper herbaceous flavor.
Dipping Sauces for Lemon Pepper Wings
- Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
- Barbecue Dipping Sauce
- Ranch Dressing
- Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing
- Buffalo Sauce
- Horseradish Aioli
- Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Teriyaki Sauce
- Sriracha Sauce
- Garlic Parmesan Dipping Sauce
Storage, Freezing, and Make-Ahead Tips
If you happen to have leftovers (which, let’s face it, isn’t always the case), these wings store well. Here’s how you can keep them fresh:
- In the fridge: Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the cooked wings for up to 3 months. Just place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring them to a zip-top bag or airtight container.
- Make ahead: Marinate the wings the night before and store them in the fridge. When you're ready, just cook them up, either in the oven or air fryer.
Recipe Tips
Don’t overcrowd the pan or air fryer basket – If the wings are too close together, they won’t crisp up properly.
Pat the wings dry – For extra crispiness, pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel before seasoning.
Use fresh lemon for the best flavor – Fresh lemon juice and zest make a huge difference in this recipe.
Flip halfway through cooking – For even cooking, turn the wings halfway through baking or air frying.
Check for doneness – Always check the internal temperature of your wings to ensure they’re cooked through (165°F).
FAQ
These chicken wings are so good because they have layers of bold flavor: the spicy pepper and the zesty lemon both taste great together and complement each other perfectly.
📖 Recipe
Lemon Pepper Wings
Equipment
- Bowl
- Air Fryer
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- If using full wings, cut each wing into two pieces (flat and drumette). If the wing has a tip, cut it off and discard it. Place the wings in a deep bowl.
- Add the oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, lemon pepper, garlic, herbs, and salt, to a small bowl and stir to combine.
- Pour the lemon mixture over the wings and stir to coat. If you wish, cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to marinade.
To oven bake:
- Preheat the oven to 390°F. Cover a baking sheet with parchment or foil.
- Transfer chicken wings to parchment paper and bake for 15 minutes, then turn each one over with tongs and bake for a further 5 minutes or until browned and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F).
To Air Fry:
- Place the seasoned wings into the basket of the air fryer in a single layer (you may need to cook them in batches).
- Air Fry at 390°F for 15 minutes, then use tongs to turn each one over and cook for a further 5 minutes, until browned and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F).
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Jessica
Yessss! I love that these are made in the air fryer!
Kushigalu
Drooling over these lemon pepper wings. Looks perfect. Thanks for sharing
Farah
Yum!! Love lemon pepper and has never thought to add it to wings, thank you so much the whole family loved it!
Sara Welch
Enjoyed these with dinner last night and they were a hit all around the table! Quick, easy and delicious; the perfect balance of flavor!
Sisley
Lemon and pepper is a great flavour on chicken. This was so easy and delicious.