Cashew Free Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings
Crispy, golden, and loaded with bright citrus flavor, these air fryer wings are the kind of crowd-pleaser that disappears fast. The secret to that shatteringly crisp skin is baking powder — it draws out moisture and helps the exterior get deeply golden without a drop of oil for frying. Once the wings come out of the air fryer, they get tossed in a simple butter sauce built from fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and coarsely ground black pepper, which clings to every piece beautifully. There are no nuts anywhere near this recipe, so anyone avoiding cashews or tree nuts can dig in without a second thought — no label-reading required. The ingredient list is refreshingly short and straightforward, relying on pantry staples and fresh citrus to do all the heavy lifting. Finish with a scatter of fresh parsley and a few lemon wedges on the side, and you've got a platter that looks as good as it tastes. These are best served immediately while the skin is still at peak crunch.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 2 lbs chicken wings, split into flats and drumettes, tips removed
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
For the lemon pepper sauce
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
For serving
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken wings thoroughly dry with paper towels. In a large mixing bowl, toss the wings with the baking powder, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
- 2
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (205°C) for 3 minutes. Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each piece — work in two batches if needed to avoid crowding.
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