Artificial Food Coloring Free Lemon Pepper Wings
Crispy, tangy, and loaded with bold citrus heat, these oven-baked wings deliver everything you want from a classic game-day snack — without a single drop of artificial dye. Store-bought lemon pepper seasoning blends are notorious for sneaking in synthetic colors alongside the flavoring, which makes homemade the obvious move here. The magic starts with a baking powder coating that draws moisture away from the skin, so the wings come out of the oven genuinely shatteringly crisp — no deep fryer needed. The sauce is built from real ingredients: fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, coarsely ground black pepper, and butter, so the bright yellow color you see comes entirely from actual citrus. Every element on the ingredient list is clean and straightforward, which means you know exactly what's going on the plate. Finish with a scatter of fresh parsley and a few lemon wedges, and you've got a platter that looks as good as it tastes.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the wings
- 2 ½ lb chicken wings, split into flats and drumettes
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
For the lemon pepper sauce
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- 1 ½ 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
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Set a wire rack inside a large baking sheet and lightly coat the rack with nonstick spray.
- 2
Pat the chicken wings thoroughly dry with paper towels — the drier the surface, the crisper the skin. In a large mixing bowl, toss the wings with the baking powder, 1 tsp kosher salt, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!