Honey Free Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings
Crispy, golden, and bursting with bright citrus flavor, these air fryer wings are the kind of crowd-pleaser that disappears fast. The baking powder trick is the real secret here — it draws moisture away from the skin so the air fryer can do its thing, delivering that deep, shatteringly crisp exterior without a drop of oil for frying. A simple butter-based sauce made with fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and coarsely ground black pepper coats every piece in bold, tangy flavor that feels way more elevated than the effort involved. Many store-bought lemon pepper sauces and wing seasonings sneak in honey or honey-derived sweeteners, so making your own from scratch means you stay in full control of every ingredient. The sauce comes together in minutes on the stovetop while the wings finish cooking, so timing is effortless. 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.
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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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