Crispy Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings (Game day Favorite!)

These Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings are baked until crispy and tender, then tossed in a delicious lemon pepper sauce. You can cook them in the oven or the air fryer and they can be ready in under 30 minutes! Theses wings are baked and are not fried which makes them much healthier than traditional chicken wings but still just as crispy and delicious!

Lemon pepper chicken wings have become a new favorite in our house. I have made these a few times already and my family went crazy for them. Oven baked chicken wings are perfect for an easy weeknight meal or as a delicious game-day appetizer and have the perfect balance of zesty, peppery flavor!

I love that you can make this lemon pepper chicken wings recipe in under 30 minutes in the oven or the air fryer, which is great! It eliminates work when you are hosting the Super Bowl or any big game day even!

We actually serve these wings for family parties since they are always a crowd-pleaser!

The easy lemon pepper sauce takes these crispy baked chicken wings to a whole new level! The sauce is made by combining lemon pepper seasoning with lemon juice and olive oil for a zesty, lemony sauce on your wings that elevates the flavor.

Check out these baked cauliflower wings for a vegetarian wing recipe that is also incredible!

Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make these amazing lemon pepper chicken wings. Here is what you’ll need:

• Chicken wings: You can use the whole wing as I did in this recipe or split chicken wings. If you use smaller wings then check them while they cook because they will likely take less time. If you use the whole wing I recommend cooking them in the oven since the ends may burn in the air fryer. Also make sure your chicken wings are fully thawed before you season and cook them.
• Olive oil or avocado oil: Both of these oils will work great in this recipe and allow all of the wonderful seasoning to stick to the chicken wings.
• Garlic powder, onion powder, and dried parsley: These seasonings add a nice flavor to the chicken wings while they cook.
• Lemon zest and juice: The combination of the lemon zest + juice gives the wings that amazing lemony flavor.
• Lemon pepper seasoning: I used Penzeys Spices lemon pepper seasoning but any kind will work in this recipe. We also love Siete brand if you can find it. See below for how to make your own.
• Coarse ground black pepper: The black pepper gives the wings that nice punch of flavor and is perfectly paired with the tartness of the lemon.

How to make baked lemon pepper chicken wings

Gthe the complete list of ingredients and recipe instructions in the recipe card below.

1. Prep the chicken. Pat the chicken wings well with a clean paper towel to dry them then drizzle them with a little olive oil (to help the seasoning stick to them better). Then sprinkle them with the garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, salt and pepper blend and toss to coat them all.
2. Bake the chicken. Place the seasoned chicken wings in a single layer (not overlapping) onto a baking sheet topped with a baking rack. Cook the wings for 20-25 minutes at 425 degrees F until they are nice and crispy and cooked through. Expert tip: Flip the wings over halfway through the cooking time for extra crispy chicken wings. This is an essential double-bake method that gets them super crispy without frying.
3. Make the lemon pepper sauce. Combine the remaining olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, lemon pepper seasoning, honey (optional for a hint of sweetness), and salt and pepper in a small mixing bowl. Whisk well to combine.
4. Mix the wings in the sauce. Once the wings are done cooking, immediately transfer them to a large mixing bowl and toss them in the lemon pepper sauce.
5. Serve. Serve hot with a delicious dipping sauce like ranch or blue cheese and some fresh-cut veggies like cucumber, carrots, and celery.

Substitutions for lemon pepper chicken wings

• Chicken Wings: you can use any wings you like in this recipe. Chicken wings usually come in a half-pound pack (6-8 wings) or a two-pound pack (8-10 wings). This recipe makes about 8-10 chicken wings.
• Lemon pepper seasoning: Use any brand you like or make your own (see below).
• Air fryer chicken wings: to cook these lemon pepper chicken wings in the air fryer, cook them for about 20 minutes at 380 degrees F, flipping them about every 5 minutes to get them nice and crispy all over. You may need to do this in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. Then toss them in the lemon pepper sauce.

How to make homemade lemon pepper seasoning

You can easily make your own lemon pepper seasoning but it takes a little bit of work. To make homemade lemon pepper seasoning you will need:

• 3-4 lemons
• 2-3 tablespoons course of ground black pepper
• 2-3 teaspoons Kosher salt

1. Zest the lemons and spread the lemon zest onto a lined baking sheet. Place it into the oven and let it dehydrate at about 200 degrees F. This will take about 25-30 minutes. Then remove the lemon zest from the oven. Keep an eye on it so it does not burn and make sure to let it cool.
2. Combine the dried lemon zest with back pepper and salt and you have made your own lemon pepper seasoning. You can use it right away or store it in an airtight container in your pantry or spice drawer for up to 4 months.

Storing and reheating chicken wings

• To store: These chicken wings can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator after being cooked for 3-4 days.
• Freezing chicken wings: You can also freeze these chicken wings after you cook and cool them completely. To freeze: Wrap the wings tightly in plastic wrap and then in a layer of foil. Place them into a freezer-friendly bag or container and keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• How to reheat chicken wings: There are a couple of ways you can reheat these lemon pepper chicken wings. Right out of the fridge, you can place them onto a baking sheet and heat them in the oven at 350 degrees F for 7-8 minutes. You can also place them into the air-fryer at 350 degrees for 4-5 minutes. To reheat them from a frozen state, place the wings in the fridge overnight and then reheat them as instructed above.

Tips for making the best-baked chicken wings

• Dry the chicken wings really well before you season and bake them. This will ensure they get super crispy when they cook.
• Use a little bit of oil to coat the chicken before you add the seasoning so it sticks to the chicken better.
• Cook the chicken on a rack that is on a baking sheet to allow the wings to get nice and crispy all over. For even crispier chicken wings, you can turn the wings over halfway through the cooking time.
• Toss the baked chicken wings in the sauce immediately after they come out of the oven. The heat from the chicken will help the sauce really stick to the wings.

How to get chicken wings crispy without frying

The key to crispy chicken wings is making sure they are nice and dry before seasoning and baking them. Use a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack which helps the air circulate in the oven getting all areas of the wings golden and crispy. Finally, make sure to flip the wings over halfway through cooking.

Dipping sauces for chicken wings

• Ranch
• Blue cheese dressing
• Buffalo sauce
• Honey mustard
• BBQ sauce

More healthy chicken recipes to try

• 15 Minute Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
• Amazing Air Fryer Whole Chicken
• 10 Minute Air Fryer Chicken and Vegetables
• Healthy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
• Healthy Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry
• Easy One Pot Healthy Chicken Soup

Other Healthy Game Day Recipes

• Spinach Artichoke Dip
• Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Healthy Turkey Chili
• Red Pepper Hummus
• Air Fryer Pita Chips
• Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

Did you make this lemon pepper chicken wings recipe? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below. You can also tag me on Instagram @pinchmegoodfood so I can see your creation.

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