Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Introduction

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings are crispy, zesty, and full of bold flavor, making them the perfect appetizer, snack, or main course. The bright, citrusy flavor of lemon combined with the warm, slightly spicy kick of cracked black pepper creates a vibrant and mouthwatering coating for golden, juicy chicken wings. Using an air fryer ensures a crispy exterior without the mess or excess oil of traditional frying, giving you healthier yet equally delicious wings.

This recipe is perfect for game nights, parties, or weeknight dinners. The wings are coated in a buttery lemon pepper seasoning that adheres beautifully, producing a light, tangy, and savory flavor that everyone loves. With the air fryer, these wings cook quickly and evenly while retaining their juiciness, making them a go-to recipe for both casual meals and entertaining.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings recipe because it’s crispy, flavorful, and refreshingly different from classic wings. The lemon zest and juice provide a bright, tangy lift that complements the savory chicken perfectly, while the black pepper adds a subtle heat that balances the citrus.

What makes this recipe particularly special is how easy it is to make yet so flavorful. The air fryer does all the hard work of crisping the wings, and the lemon pepper seasoning elevates them to a restaurant-quality dish in minutes. I also love the versatility—they’re great as a finger food, but can also be paired with sides like roasted vegetables or rice for a complete meal.

Why This Is a Must-Try Dish

1. Crispy and Juicy: Achieves perfect texture without deep-frying.
2. Bright and Flavorful: Lemon pepper seasoning delivers bold, fresh taste.
3. Quick and Easy: Ready in under 40 minutes.
4. Family and Crowd Friendly: Ideal for parties, game nights, or casual dinners.
5. Versatile: Can be served as an appetizer, snack, or part of a main meal.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Marination Time (optional but recommended): 30–60 minutes
• Cooking Time: 25–30 minutes
• Total Time: 40–90 minutes (including marination)

Servings and Nutrition

• Servings: 4 (about 12 wings)
• Calories per Serving: ~300–350 kcal
• Course: Appetizer / Main Course
• Cuisine: American / Comfort Food

Ingredients

For the Wings:

• 12 chicken wings (drumettes and flats)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

For the Lemon Pepper Seasoning:

• 2 tsp lemon zest (fresh)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp cracked black pepper
• 1 tsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• Optional: 1/2 tsp paprika for color

For Garnish (Optional):

• Chopped parsley
• Extra lemon wedges

Cooking Directions

1. Prep Wings: Pat wings dry. Toss with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
3. Air Fry Wings: Place wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for 12–15 minutes. Flip halfway through cooking.
4. Check Doneness: Continue cooking for another 10–15 minutes until golden, crispy, and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).
5. Prepare Lemon Pepper Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine lemon zest, lemon juice, melted butter, cracked black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
6. Coat Wings: Toss the cooked wings in the lemon pepper seasoning until evenly coated.
7. Serve: Garnish with parsley and extra lemon wedges if desired. Serve immediately.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

1. Dry and Season Wings: Pat wings dry for maximum crispiness; coat with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Preheat Air Fryer: Set to 400°F (200°C).
3. First Cook: Place wings in the air fryer basket, cook 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
4. Finish Cooking: Continue 10–15 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
5. Prepare Lemon Pepper Seasoning: Mix lemon zest, lemon juice, melted butter, black pepper, garlic powder, and optional paprika.
6. Coat Wings: Toss wings in seasoning mixture to glaze evenly.
7. Serve: Garnish with parsley and lemon wedges; serve hot.

How to Serve

• As an appetizer or finger food with dipping sauces.
• Paired with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a side salad.
• Ideal for game nights, parties, or casual family meals.
• Serve with extra lemon wedges for added citrusy freshness.

Recipe Tips

1. Pat wings dry before air frying to achieve maximum crispiness.
2. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary.
3. Use fresh lemon zest for the brightest flavor.
4. Toss wings in lemon pepper seasoning immediately after cooking to ensure coating sticks.
5. Adjust black pepper to taste for a spicier kick.

Variations

• Garlic Lemon Pepper Wings: Add extra minced garlic to the seasoning for a stronger garlic flavor.
• Spicy Lemon Pepper Wings: Mix in 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper or chili flakes.
• Honey Lemon Pepper Wings: Add 1–2 tbsp honey to the seasoning for a sweet-savory glaze.
• Oven-Baked Version: Bake wings at 425°F (220°C) for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway.
• Parmesan Lemon Pepper Wings: Sprinkle grated Parmesan over wings after tossing in lemon pepper seasoning.

Freezing and Storage

• Storage: Store cooked wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: Freeze cooked wings in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months; reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5–8 minutes to regain crispiness.
• Uncooked Wings: Can be frozen after seasoning but before cooking for up to 2 months; thaw overnight before air frying.

Special Equipment Needed

• Air fryer with basket large enough for wings
• Mixing bowls
• Small bowl for lemon pepper seasoning
• Tongs or spatula
• Zester or grater

Conclusion

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings are crispy, juicy, and bursting with bright, zesty flavor. The tangy lemon and cracked black pepper seasoning elevate the wings to a delicious, restaurant-quality dish that’s quick, easy, and healthier than traditional fried wings. Perfect for parties, game nights, or casual meals, these wings are a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love.

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Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Author: admin Cuisine: American Courses: Air Frier

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 30 mins Rest Time 50 mins Total Time 1 hr 30 mins

Servings: 4 Calories: per Serving: ~300–350 kcal

Description

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings are crispy, zesty, and full of bold flavor, making them the perfect appetizer, snack, or main course.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Wings:

• 12 chicken wings (drumettes and flats)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ¹⁄₂ tsp salt
• ¹⁄₂ tsp black pepper
• ¹⁄₂ tsp garlic powder

For the Lemon Pepper Seasoning:

• 2 tsp lemon zest (fresh)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp cracked black pepper
• 1 tsp unsalted butter, melted
• ¹⁄₄ tsp garlic powder
• ¹⁄₂ Optional: tsp paprika for color

For Garnish (Optional):

• Chopped parsley
• Extra lemon wedges

Instructions

1. Prep Wings: Pat wings dry. Toss with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes.
3. Air Fry Wings: Place wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for 12–15 minutes. Flip halfway through cooking.
4. Check Doneness: Continue cooking for another 10–15 minutes until golden, crispy, and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).
5. Prepare Lemon Pepper Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine lemon zest, lemon juice, melted butter, cracked black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
6. Coat Wings: Toss the cooked wings in the lemon pepper seasoning until evenly coated.
7. Serve: Garnish with parsley and extra lemon wedges if desired. Serve immediately.

Keywords: Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings