Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

When I first tried making lemon pepper wings at home, I wanted that crispy skin and bold flavor you get at restaurants. But I really didn’t want the mess of deep frying.

That’s when the air fryer became my go-to. It gives you golden, crunchy wings with juicy meat inside.

It does this in less time than heating up a pot of oil. Plus, cleanup is so much easier.

You can make crispy, saucy lemon pepper chicken wings in the air fryer with just a few simple ingredients and under 30 minutes. All you need are wings, olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning, butter, and a little salt.

The air fryer locks in flavor while keeping the skin crisp. So you get that perfect bite every time.

You can swap dipping sauces or tweak the seasoning. Pair the wings with simple sides and you’ve got a full meal.

Game night, quick dinners, or just a no-fuss snack—these wings fit right in. They taste like they came from your favorite wing spot.

Why You Will Love Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

You’ll love how simple these wings are. The air fryer takes care of the crispiness, with less oil and less cleanup.

The flavor is bright and balanced. Lemon adds a fresh citrus note, and black pepper brings just the right heat.

Toss the wings in the buttery lemon pepper mix. Every bite tastes seasoned and satisfying.

These wings fit into so many occasions. Make them for a weeknight dinner, serve as a party snack, or pair with sides for game day.

You can cook a small or big batch. It just depends on how many people you’re feeding.

Air fryer lemon pepper wings are versatile. Adjust the pepper for more spice, add a touch of honey for sweetness, or keep them simple.

You might find yourself making these wings often:

• Fast cooking compared to the oven.
• Crispy texture without heavy oil.
• Easy cleanup with fewer pans and no fryer mess.
• Consistent results since the air fryer cooks evenly.

How To Make Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

You can make crispy lemon pepper wings at home without deep frying. With the right ingredients and a few steps, you’ll get juicy chicken wings coated in a buttery lemon pepper sauce.

Ingredients

You’ll need fresh chicken wings. I like a mix of drumettes and flats, but use what you prefer.

Make sure they’re thawed and patted dry. That helps them crisp up in the air fryer.

Season the wings with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. A drizzle of olive oil helps the seasoning stick and encourages browning.

For the sauce, get butter, lemon pepper seasoning, lemon zest, and lemon juice. The butter makes it smooth, and the lemon zest and juice add brightness.

Want a stronger kick? Add extra cracked black pepper.

A quick spray of cooking oil on the wings helps them crisp evenly.

Instruments

You don’t need much equipment here. The most important tool is an air fryer big enough to hold the wings in a single layer.

If your basket is small, cook in batches. That way, the wings don’t steam.

Use a mixing bowl to toss the wings with seasoning. A second bowl is best for mixing the lemon pepper butter sauce.

A small saucepan is handy for melting butter and combining it with lemon zest and juice. You can also use a microwave-safe bowl.

Grab tongs to flip the wings halfway and toss them in the sauce. Paper towels are useful for drying the wings before seasoning.

Step-By-Step Instruction

Dry the wings well with paper towels. Put them in a bowl and coat with olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Toss until evenly coated. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.

Arrange the wings in a single layer in the basket. Spray lightly with cooking oil.

Cook for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crisp.

While the wings cook, melt butter in a bowl or saucepan. Stir in lemon pepper seasoning, lemon zest, and lemon juice to make the sauce.

Once the wings are done, move them to a clean bowl. Pour the lemon pepper butter sauce over the hot wings and toss until coated.

Serve right away while they’re still crisp and warm.

Tips & Tricks

I’ve made these air fryer lemon pepper chicken wings many times, and a few small steps make a big difference. If you want crispy wings, start with dry chicken.

Pat them well with paper towels before seasoning. That helps the skin crisp up in the air fryer.

A little baking powder mixed into the seasoning makes the texture crunchier. It draws out moisture and helps the skin brown.

When arranging the wings, keep them in a single layer. If they overlap, the hot air can’t move around them.

It’s better to cook in two batches than to crowd the basket.

Here are a few more tips that work well:

• Flip halfway through to get crispiness on both sides.
• Use fresh lemon zest for brighter flavor.
• Toss in sauce right before serving so the wings stay crunchy.
• Adjust seasoning by adding more pepper for heat or a touch of honey for balance.

Serve the wings hot, straight from the basket. That’s when they’re at their crispiest and most flavorful.

Ingredient Substitute

Sometimes you don’t have every ingredient, but you can still make tasty lemon pepper wings with a few swaps. I’ve done this when I ran out of something or needed a lighter option.

If you don’t have fresh wings, use frozen chicken wings. Thaw them before seasoning so the coating sticks.

Short on time? You can air fry frozen wings directly, but they’ll need extra minutes.

Instead of butter, try olive oil or avocado oil. These work well if you want a dairy-free version and still help the seasoning stick to the wings.

For crispiness, swap baking powder with cornstarch. Both give you golden skin, but cornstarch makes a lighter crunch.

Want to change the flavor? Mix in other spices with your lemon pepper. Some good options are:

• Paprika for a smoky touch
• Cayenne pepper for more heat
• Rosemary or sage for an earthy taste

No lemon pepper seasoning? Combine fresh lemon zest, black pepper, and a little salt. It’s not exactly the same, but it’s close and still gives that bright, peppery flavor.

These swaps make it easy to adjust the recipe. You’ll still get crispy, zesty wings.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

When you make lemon pepper wings in the air fryer, the crispy skin and tangy flavor call for simple sides. You don’t need anything fancy, just foods that balance the zesty seasoning and buttery sauce.

Dips are always a must. Set out ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing.

Ranch gives a creamy, mild contrast, while blue cheese adds a sharper bite.

For something fresh, add crunchy vegetables. Celery sticks and carrot sticks work well because they cool down the heat.

A small side salad with a light vinaigrette also helps keep the meal balanced.

If you want a heartier plate, serve the wings with:

• Crinkle cut fries or sweet potato fries
• Coleslaw for a creamy, crisp side
• Cornbread or garlic bread for extra comfort

Mix and match appetizers if you’re feeding a group. Mozzarella sticks, onion rings, or nachos make the spread feel more like game day food.

Keep it simple, and choose sides that add crunch, creaminess, or a little sweetness. That way, your lemon pepper wings stay the star.

How To Store Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

I always make a big batch of wings, and sometimes we can’t finish them all.

Let the wings cool to room temperature before packing them up. Putting hot wings straight into a container causes extra moisture, which makes them soggy.

Use an airtight container or a resealable bag to keep the wings fresh. If you stack them, place parchment paper between layers to stop sticking.

Here’s a simple guide:

• Refrigerator: Store up to 3–4 days.
• Freezer: Store up to 2 months. Wrap tightly in foil or freezer paper before placing in a freezer bag.

When you’re ready to reheat, the air fryer works best. Heat at 350°F for about 5–7 minutes until warmed through and crispy again.

If reheating from frozen, thaw them in the fridge overnight first. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that crispy texture.

The air fryer or oven will give you much better results.

Nutritional Value

When you use an air fryer for lemon pepper chicken wings, you skip the extra oil from deep frying. That makes them a lighter choice, but you still get a crispy bite.

One wing has about 80–100 calories. The exact number depends on size and how much butter or oil you add.

Most calories come from protein and fat. There are barely any carbs in a wing.

Here’s a quick look per wing:

• Calories: about 90
• Protein: 6–8 grams
• Fat: 6–7 grams
• Carbohydrates: 0–1 gram

If you use store-bought lemon pepper, check the label. Some blends sneak in extra salt or preservatives.

Fresh lemon zest and black pepper let you control the sodium.

Air frying keeps the wings leaner than deep frying. You don’t get all that extra oil.

Pair your wings with celery or carrot sticks. It adds fiber and keeps things feeling lighter.