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This Lemon Pepper Wings recipe is my go-to when I want something crispy, tangy, and downright irresistible. There’s something about the perfect balance of citrusy zing, buttery goodness, and a little kick of spice that keeps me coming back for more. These wings are baked to golden perfection, so you get all the crunch without the deep-frying hassle.

Ingredients for Lemon Pepper Wings

- Chicken Wings: The base of the recipe, perfect for soaking up all the delicious seasoning.
- Baking Powder: Helps make the wings extra crispy in the oven.
- Paprika and Cayenne Pepper: Adds a smoky, spicy flavor to the wings.
- Garlic Powder: Enhances the overall flavor with its savory kick.
- Oil: Ensures the wings crisp up beautifully without being greasy.

- Butter: The creamy base for the lemon pepper sauce.
- Lemon Juice and Zest: Brings bright, citrusy flavor to the sauce.
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning: The star ingredient that ties it all together.
- Honey: Balances the tangy and savory notes with a touch of sweetness.
The full written recipe with measurements is below on the recipe card.
How to make crispy baked lemon pepper chicken wings
Prep the wings by drying them thoroughly, seasoning with spices and baking powder, and tossing them in oil.

Place the wings on a baking sheet lined with a wire rack. This will allow the wings to get crispy all over.

Bake at 400°F, flipping halfway through.

Meanwhile, mix melted butter, lemon juice, zest, lemon pepper seasoning, and honey for the sauce.

Toss the baked wings with the sauce and broil for a final crispy touch. Serve hot and enjoy!

How to reheat & store lemon pepper wings
Place any leftover lemon pepper chicken wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
I like to reheat in the oven or air fryer for the best results. Air fry the wings at 350°F for about 8 minutes until crispy. For the oven reheat the wings at 350°F for 15 minutes.

Commonly Asked Questions
They pair perfectly with ranch or blue cheese dressing, celery sticks, or a side of fries.
For extra heat, add more cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the lemon pepper sauce.
Yes! I love air fryer lemon pepper wings. Air fry at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Brush with the sauce and air fry for another 2 minutes.
I absolutely love wet wings the best. The honey and butter really elevate the sauce.
Please remember to leave a review if you make this recipe. The feedback helps me to become a better cook and develop amazing recipes for you.

Lemon Pepper Wings
Ingredients
Wings
- 2 lb chicken wings , or wingettes
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tbsp olive, canola or vegetable oil
Lemon Pepper Sauce
- 2 tbs butter, melted
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tbs lemon pepper seasoning
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp honey
Instructions
Wings:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut the wing tips off and the wings at the joint if not using wingettes. This way you will have drums and flats.
- Pat dry your wings. The wings must be extra dry to ensure they get crispy in the oven. Toss the wings with the baking powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, pepper and garlic powder.
- Then toss with the oil. This will help the wings get crispy in the oven but you don’t want to use too much oil or they will be too
- Place the wings on a baking rack lined with a wire rack. Place them not too close together. The wire rack helps the wings to cook evenly, you can use an oven safe cooling wire rack for this. But if you don’t have a wire rack, don’t sweat it, just put them directly on a baking sheet.
- Put the wings in the oven near the top of the oven. Let them bake for 20 minutes, then flip them over for an additional 15 minutes. Make the lemon pepper sauce during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Sauce:
- In a bowl add the melted butter, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, lemon pepper seasoning, lemon zest, honey and whisk together well.
- Take the wings out of the oven and toss the wings with the lemon pepper sauce. (You can stop here but I like to broil the wings to get them even crispier once the sauce is on them). Return back to the baking rack.
- Turn on the broiler and broil the wings for about 30 seconds. Every oven is different so watch the wings and adjust the timing if your oven cooks faster. I have an electric oven so the broiler is inside the oven and not on the bottom. When I had a gas oven, things would broil super fast. So pay close attention!
- Now the wings are done and ready to enjoy. Feel free to brush any remaining sauce on the wings.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Just tried this recipe for a Sunday game watching party and they were the first to go! I think most people enjoy wings (myself included) but I’ve never thought lemon-pepper would become one of my top 3 flavors. This recipe was the perfect mix of savory, citrus & sweet. I added a little more honey on my own bc I enjoy the true sweet/salty taste but everyone enjoyed the flavor as is and that toss and additional time under the broiler really makes them crisp perfectly.
Ohhh I sometimes add more honey to hehe. I’m glad these were a hit!
These wings were delicious ! It was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I’m definitely making these again really soon!
I’m so glad you liked them!
This recipe is simple, flavorful, and perfect for crispy, tasty wings. The balance of lemon and seasoning made them irresistible. This recipe is perfect for game nights or casual dinners!
Thank you!