Nitrate & Nitrite Free Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings
Crispy, golden wings tossed in a bright, buttery lemon pepper sauce — this air fryer recipe delivers everything you want from a classic game-day snack without any of the processed additives that make store-bought or restaurant versions a concern. Many pre-seasoned wing sauces and spice blends sneak in cured or preserved ingredients, but here every component is straightforward and clean: fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, coarsely ground black pepper, unsalted butter, and a handful of pantry staples. The baking powder trick is the real secret weapon — it draws moisture from the skin so the air fryer can blast it into a genuinely shatteringly crisp texture that rivals anything deep-fried. Flipping the wings halfway through ensures even browning on every side, and the homemade sauce gets tossed on at the very end so that glossy, tangy coating clings to every piece. A squeeze of fresh lemon wedge right before eating takes the brightness up another notch. These are the kind of wings that disappear off the platter before you even sit down.
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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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