Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Delivers crispy skin and flavorful kicks with minimal oil.
• A bright, zesty twist on classic wings thanks to lemon pepper.
• Quick to make — crisps up fast in the air fryer.
• Easily customizable (milder, spicier, glazed, dry rub).
• Reheats beautifully — just a few minutes more in the fryer retains crispness.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Chicken wings (drumettes and flats)
• Olive oil (or another light cooking oil)
• Lemon pepper seasoning
• Salt (if needed, depending on seasoning blend)
• Butter
• Lemon juice
• Lemon zest
• (Optional) Honey or a touch of sugar for a glaze
• (Optional) Garlic powder, paprika, onion powder

Directions

1. Prep the wings
   – Pat the wings dry with paper towels so the skin crisps up better.
   – Toss the wings in a bowl with a little olive oil and sprinkle on the lemon pepper seasoning (and salt if the seasoning is mild). Ensure they are evenly coated.
2. Preheat air fryer
   – Preheat your air fryer (if your model recommends it) to about 380–390 °F (190–200 °C).Air fry the wings (first stage)
   – Place wings in a single layer in the basket (don’t overcrowd).
   – Air fry for ~18–20 minutes, flipping or shaking halfway through to promote even crisping.
3. Crisp at higher temp
   – After the first cook, increase the temperature to around 400 °F (200 °C) and cook an additional 3–5 minutes to get extra crispiness.
4. Make the glaze (optional)
   – In a small saucepan (or microwave), melt butter and stir in fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and extra lemon pepper seasoning. Add a bit of honey if you like a touch of sweetness.
   – Toss the cooked wings in this glaze to coat, or serve the glaze on the side for dipping.
   – If you prefer dry wings, you can skip the glaze and toss them in extra lemon pepper seasoning.
5. Serve
   – Serve warm. Garnish with extra zest or parsley if desired.
   – Pair with ranch, blue cheese, or a cooling dip to balance the citrus heat.

Servings and timing

• Servings: about 4 (depending on portion)
• Prep time: ~10 minutes
• Cook time: ~20–25 minutes (including the crisping stage)
• Total time: ~30–35 minutes

Variations

• Dry version: Skip the butter glaze and finish by tossing wings with extra lemon pepper seasoning.
• Spicy lemon pepper: Add a pinch of cayenne or chili powder to the rub or glaze.
• Garlic lemon pepper: Mix in garlic powder or finely minced garlic into the seasoning or butter glaze.
• Sweet citrus glaze: Use honey or maple syrup in the glaze for a sweet-and-sour balance.
• Double crisp: After glazing, return the wings to the air fryer for 1–2 minutes at high heat to set the glaze slightly.
• Frozen wings: If using frozen wings, air fry 25 minutes at ~380 °F, then boost to 400 °F for final crisping.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Once cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
• Reheating: Use the air fryer — around 350–375 °F for 3–5 minutes — until warmed and crispy again. Avoid microwaving, as it often softens the skin.
• Freezing: You can freeze cooked wings, but the texture may soften slightly. Reheat in the air fryer directly from frozen, adding a few minutes.

FAQs

How do I make sure the wings are crispy?

Dry them thoroughly before seasoning, don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, flip them mid-cook, and finish at a higher temp for a few minutes.

Can I skip the butter glaze and still get flavor?

Yes — a dry rub version works well. Use extra lemon pepper, garlic, or spices to enhance the flavor.

Should I use fresh or frozen wings?

Fresh wings (or fully thawed frozen wings) tend to crisp better. But you can use frozen wings — just allow more cooking time.

What kind of lemon pepper seasoning is best?

A good quality lemon pepper blend (with real lemon zest and cracked black pepper) works best. You can make your own by mixing grated lemon zest, black pepper, and salt.

Do I have to flip the wings during cooking?

It’s highly recommended. Flipping or shaking the basket helps ensure even browning on all sides.

Will the glaze make the skin less crispy?

If you toss in a heavy glaze immediately, it may soften the skin. To avoid this, toss lightly or return to the fryer briefly to set the glaze.

How can I make them less sour?

Reduce the lemon juice in the glaze or skip doing a full glaze — stick to a lighter coating or dry rub.

Can I prepare them ahead?

You can season ahead and refrigerate for a few hours before cooking. Cook just before serving for best crispness.

What dipping sauces go well?

Ranch, blue cheese, garlic yogurt sauce, or even a mild honey mustard complement citrus wings nicely.

How do I adjust for a larger batch?

Cook in batches so that wings remain in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding, which reduces airflow and crisping.

Conclusion

Air fryer lemon pepper wings strike the perfect balance between tangy citrus flavor and crispy, juicy skin — all without the mess of deep frying. Whether you go for the buttery glazed version or a dry, bold rub, these wings are sure to impress at any gathering or weeknight meal. With easy prep, flexible variations, and simple reheating, they become a go-to choice for flavor-packed wings any time.

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings

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Crispy, juicy chicken wings seasoned with lemon pepper and finished with a buttery lemon glaze. These air fryer lemon pepper wings deliver all the zesty, bold flavor of fried wings with far less oil and mess.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 30–35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Air Fryer
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken wings (split into drumettes and flats)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
• 1/2 tsp salt (optional, depending on seasoning blend)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
• 1/2 tsp paprika or onion powder (optional)
• 1 tsp honey or sugar (optional, for a glaze)

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Instructions

1. Pat chicken wings dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. In a bowl, toss wings with olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning, and salt until evenly coated.
3. Preheat air fryer to 385°F (195°C).
4. Arrange wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space for air circulation.
5. Air fry for 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crisping.
6. Increase temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook another 3–5 minutes until extra crispy.
7. Meanwhile, melt butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and a pinch of lemon pepper seasoning. Add honey for a light glaze, if desired.
8. Toss the cooked wings in the butter-lemon mixture to coat, or serve the glaze on the side.
9. Garnish with extra lemon zest or parsley and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

• Dry wings thoroughly before cooking for maximum crispiness.
• For a drier version, skip the butter glaze and toss wings in extra lemon pepper seasoning after cooking.
• To make spicy lemon pepper wings, add cayenne or chili flakes to the seasoning mix.
• Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350–375°F for 3–5 minutes to restore crispness.
• Use a light hand with salt if your lemon pepper blend already contains it.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4–5 wings
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 520mg
• Fat: 21g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 2g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 24g
• Cholesterol: 95mg