Nutmeg 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 secret to that satisfying crunch is baking powder in the dry coating — it draws moisture away from the skin so the air fryer can do its thing and deliver serious crispiness without a drop of oil. The lemon pepper sauce is made from scratch with real butter, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest, so every bite has that punchy, aromatic kick you just can't get from a store-bought bottle. Because the whole recipe is built from straightforward pantry staples and fresh ingredients, there's no need to scrutinize labels for hidden spice blends that might sneak in unwanted additions. Garlic powder and coarsely ground black pepper round out the flavor in a clean, simple way that lets the lemon really shine. A quick toss in the sauce right out of the air fryer means the wings stay hot and glossy all the way to the table. Finish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon wedge, and you've got a plate that looks and tastes like it took way more effort than it did.
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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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