Need a break from buffalo wings? Our lemon pepper wings deliver the perfect balance of citrus zing and peppery bite in every crispy bite. We’ve nailed the technique for a wing recipe that packs serious flavor using your favorite lemon pepper seasoning blend.

A plate of lemon pepper chicken wings with herbs, garnished with celery sticks and radish slices, placed on a green cloth beside two glasses of beer.

Our method ensures crispy skin while keeping the meat juicy, then finishes with a punch of fresh citrus and pepper that beats any pre-made seasoning. The secret? A double dose of lemon – both in the seasoning and a final fresh squeeze before serving.

A tray of raw chicken wings is placed on parchment paper. Surrounding it are a stick of butter, a bulb of garlic, a jar of seasoning, and a container of salt on a dark surface.

Ingredients:

Chicken wings – flats and drums
Kosher Salt
Lemon pepper spice blend
Butter
Garlic
Lemon
Optional for serving: black pepper, sliced celery, blue cheese, or ranch dressing

Instructions:

Preheat the Air Fryer:
- Set the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Ensure it’s preheated before adding the wings for the crispiest results.
Prepare the Wings:
- Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving crispy skin.
- Toss the wings in a large bowl with salt and a generous amount of lemon pepper spice blend.
Cook the Wings:
- Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the wings in a single layer in the basket. Cook for 12 minutes, then flip the wings and continue to cook for an additional 3 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 175°F.
Make Garlic Butter Sauce:
- While the wings are cooking, melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
- Add finely minced garlic and fresh lemon zest into the melted butter and gently sauté, being careful not to let the garlic brown.
Toss and Serve:
- Once the crispy lemon pepper wings are done and have reached 175 degrees F with an instant-read thermometer, toss them in a clean bowl with the garlic butter to evenly coat. Add freshly ground black pepper to taste, if desired.
- Serve the wings hot, garnished with sliced celery, and paired with blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping.

Recipe Tips:

Avoiding Burnt Spices: Since pepper can burn at high temperatures, adding the lemon pepper seasoning before cooking helps it meld into the skin without charring.
Air Fryer Adjustment: Air fryer temperatures can vary. If you find the wings are cooking too quickly, adjust the temperature down to 375°F to prevent burning.
To Bake or Air Fry: You can bake these wings in the oven, but we find for extra crispy skin, the air fryer is the best tool.

Lemon pepper chicken wings served with celery sticks on parchment paper over a green cloth on a wooden table.

How to Serve:

These wings are best served fresh from the air fryer, drizzled with zesty garlic butter. They pair wonderfully with cool, crisp celery sticks and a creamy dip to balance the bright lemon pepper flavor.

Storage and Reheating:

Store any leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

For best results, reheat in the air fryer or oven to maintain the crispy texture. These wings are meant to be enjoyed immediately after cooking for optimal flavor and crispiness.

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Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings Recipe

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Prep: 5

Cook: 20

Resting Time: 5

Total: 30

Servings: 4 servings

Plate of lemon pepper wings with celery sticks and beer on a wooden table.

Want super crispy wings with bright, bold flavor? Our lemon pepper wings deliver zesty citrus and fresh-cracked pepper in every bite.

Recommended Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels.
Pour the wings into a large bowl and season liberally with salt and the lemon pepper spice blend.
Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray.
Arrange the chicken wings in a single layer in the air fryer, and cook for 12 minutes. You may need to work in batches.
Flip and cook for 3 minutes longer, until the wings reach 175 degrees F, with a digital meat thermometer.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat.
Add the garlic to the butter and 1/2 teaspoon of fresh lemon zest.
When the wings are finished cooking, toss them in a clean bowl and drizzle the garlic butter over them, mixing to coat.
Serve immediately with sliced celery, blue cheese, or ranch dressing.

Notes

Avoiding Burnt Spices: Since pepper can burn at high temperatures, adding the lemon pepper seasoning before cooking helps it meld into the skin without charring.
Air Fryer Adjustment: Air fryer temperatures can vary with different makes and models. If you find the wings are cooking too quickly, adjust the temperature down to 375°F to prevent burning.