Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings

by: Air Fryer Eats Team
Updated: August 22, 2024


Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings are just a little bit spicy and a whole lot of delicious! They are easy to make, only 4 ingredients are needed to create these flavorful, buttery, and crispy air fryer chicken wings.

closeup of a plate of lemon pepper chicken wings.

recipe overview

Air Fryer chicken wings are often one of the first things that people make in their air fryers. I think it’s because we all love chicken wings, but don’t want to make the mess that happens when deep frying them!

Luckily, Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings require no deep frying, just some time in the air fryer and a few simple ingredients. You’ll love this variation on our classic Air Fryer Chicken wings because it’s buttery, light, and just a little bit spicy.

ingredients list

ingredients needed to make lemon pepper chicken wings, including raw chicken wings, spices, and butter
  • Chicken Wings – This recipe makes about 3 pounds of wings. Trim your wings to separate the drumettes and flats.
  • Unsalted Butter – Melted butter creates a delicious sauce for our wings.
  • Lemon Pepper Seasoning – Typically this seasoning blend includes lemon zest, black pepper, and salt. If yours is salt-free, add salt to taste.
  • Chopped Parsley – This adds a bright flavor and a beautiful contrasting color.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP!

how to make these wings

Photo Collage of six steps needed to make air fryer lemon pepper chicken wings

  1. Preheat your Air Fryer (if recommended in the manual) to 380F/193C.
  2. Cook the wings for 24 minutes at 380F/193C, shaking the basket every 10 minutes to ensure even cooking.
  3. Shake the basket, increase the temperature to 400F/204C, and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Repeat with remaining wings in batches as necessary.
  4. While the wings are cooking, make your lemon pepper sauce. In a small bowl, combine the butter and lemon pepper seasoning, whisking well.
  5. Place the cooked wings in a large bowl and pour the lemon pepper sauce over them, then toss to coat.
  6. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

Note: The Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165F.

a plate of lemon pepper chicken wings. a hand is picking up a flat wing.

What to serve with these wings

These wings are amazing served as finger food for a football party or family event. Serve them with ranch or BBQ sauce in case people want to dip, although these lemon pepper wings really don’t need any extra flavor.

Pair Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings with our Frozen Air Fryer Onion Rings and our Air Fryer French Fries for a killer party platter.

Starting with frozen wings?

This recipe was developed using fresh chicken wings, but if you’d like (or if you just forgot to thaw them) you can start with frozen wings.

To cook frozen chicken wings, we’ll air fry at a lower temperature for a longer amount of time. This will vary based on your air fryer model, but I recommend 380F for 30 minutes for frozen chicken wings.

Once your wings are cooked, just add the sauce and you’re all set!

a plate of air fryer chicken wings with lemon pepper sauce, next to an air fryer

Don’t cramp the air fryer basket!

You may be tempted to put the entire 3 pounds of chicken wings in the air fryer basket, but please do not. For maximum crisp on your chicken wings, you want to air fry them in a single layer. Do not stack the wings up, or they will never be crispy.

Do your wings in batches. If needed, keep the previous batches in a warm oven until ready to serve. I like to just eat them as they come out!

Don’t add Flour or Baking Soda!

The internet is buzzing with recommendations to add powders to wings in the air fryer, but it’s truly not necessary to get crispy, browned wings. Cooking the wings at a high temperature, cooking in a single layer, and shaking to ensure even cooking is the best way to do that.

You do NOT need to add baking powder or baking soda to your air fryer wings. You don’t need to add flour either.

chicken wings in a bowl with lemon pepper sauce being poured on.
a plate of lemon pepper chicken wings. a hand is picking up a flat wing.
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5 from 5 votes

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings are just a little bit spicy and a whole lot of delicious! Only 4 ingredients are needed to create these flavorful, buttery, and crispy air fryer chicken wings.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time29 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 906kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs. Chicken Wings dried, cut into drumettes and flats
  • 5 Tbsp. Butter unsalted
  • 2 Tbsp. Lemon Pepper Seasoning
  • Chopped Parsley

Instructions

  • Preheat your Air Fryer (if recommended in the manual) to 380F/193C.
  • Place the paper towel-dried chicken wings in the basket and insert it into the air fryer. Cook the wings for 24 minutes at 380F/193C, shaking the basket every 10 minutes to ensure even cooking.
  • When the time is up, shake the basket, increase the temperature to 400F/204C, and cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Repeat with remaining wings in batches as necessary.
  • While wings are cooking, make your lemon pepper sauce. In a small bowl, combine the butter and lemon pepper seasoning, whisking well.
  • Place the cooked wings in a large bowl and pour the lemon pepper sauce over them, then toss to coat.
  • Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

Video

Notes

  • If cooking frozen wings, cook at 400F for 30 minutes, shaking or stirring every ten minutes.ย 

Nutrition

Calories: 906kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 63g | Fat: 70g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 302mg | Sodium: 382mg | Potassium: 633mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1002IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 4mg
TRY AD FREE!

air fryer lemon pepper chicken wings on a plate with a title over the image.

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5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Typically, I don’t like wings, but I think I’m going to make an exception for this recipe! I had no idea you could make them in the air fryer! Bookmarked to make this weekend ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. 5 stars
    Yum! Lemon pepper is classic. This will be perfect because I like an array of sauces and needed something that could be versatile.

  3. 5 stars
    Wow these wings sound absolutely amazing! I love that you only need a few ingredients and the lemon and pepper sound like a wonderful combination!

5 from 5 votes

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