This post may contain affiliate links, read my disclosure policy for details.
These Lemon Pepper Honey Wings are the ultimate treat! The wings are perfectly seasoned and baked until crispy on the outside yet still juicy on the inside.They are then coated in a delicious honey-lemon sauce for the perfect balance of sweetness and zing in every bite!
These chicken wings come together quickly with very little effort making them one of my favorite dishes for entertaining. (Plus, it’s easy to double the recipe!) The delightful mix of sweet, savory and tart flavors will have you craving this recipe over and over again.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Honey Lemon Pepper Wings Ingredients
- How To Make Lemon Pepper Honey Wings
- Tips To Perfect This Recipe
- What to Serve with Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
- Storing and Reheating
- Alternative Cooking Methods
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Delicious Appetizer Recipes
- Lemon Pepper Honey Wings Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s tangy. The combination of lemon pepper seasoning and lemon juice gives these wings a tart zip that keeps you coming back for more.
- Crispy and Juicy: These wings are baked to crispy perfection while remaining juicy on the inside.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is straightforward and requires minimal ingredients, making it ideal for quick and delicious meals.
- Versatile: Perfect for parties, game days, or as a tasty snack, these wings are incredibly versatile and always a hit.
Honey Lemon Pepper Wings Ingredients
- Chicken wings: Skin on, bone-in wings will give you a tender, juicy wing. You can use drumettes or flats for this recipe.
- Seasonings: Lemon pepper seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt give the wings a savory flavor. You could sub the lemon pepper for another seasoning blend, but it will change the flavor profile.
- Dry ingredients: Mixing baking soda and cornstarch with the seasoned wings gives them a light, crispy exterior.
- Wet ingredients: To make the sauce, melt butter and mix in honey and lemon juice. You can substitute the honey for maple syrup in the same amount or swap it for agave nectar (which is sweeter, so use about 1/6-1/4 cup). You can switch the lemon juice for another citrus, like lime for a twist.
- Herbs and spices: Lemon pepper seasoning and chopped parsley give the sauce a depth of flavor.
- Garnish: After baking, garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges for a final splash of freshness.
How To Make Lemon Pepper Honey Wings
Tips To Perfect This Recipe
- Pat Dry the Wings: Ensure the wings are thoroughly dried with paper towels before seasoning to achieve maximum crispiness.
- Use a Wire Rack: Bake the wings on a wire rack set over a baking sheet if possible to allow air circulation, ensuring even cooking and crispiness.
- Preheat the Oven: Make sure the oven is fully preheated to the right temperature for consistent results.
- Toss in Sauce Last: Add the lemon pepper honey sauce after baking to keep the wings crispy.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the wings to rest for a few minutes after tossing in the sauce to let the flavors meld together.
What to Serve with Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
When served as part of an appetizer spread, these wings pair well with:
Celery and Carrot Sticks: Fresh and crunchy veggies pair perfectly with the bold flavors of the wings. If you prefer something cooked, try my Parmesan Roasted Carrots
Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing: These creamy dressings are ideal for dipping and balance out the spiciness of the wings. You can also add your favorite dipping sauce such as BBQ sauce.
Potato Wedges: Crispy Potato Wedges make for a hearty and satisfying side dish. Or a simple French Fries recipe will work perfectly as well.
Side Salad: A light and refreshing House Salad or Brussels Sprouts Salad helps balance the richness of the wings.
Storing and Reheating
Storing: Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To Reheat: Reheat them in the oven at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes until heated through and re-crisped.
Freezing: Freeze the cooked, unsauced wings in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag once frozen. Freeze the sauce in a freezer-safe container. Keep them up to 2 months in the freezer. Reheat them from frozen at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes, until crispy, then toss with the thawed sauce.
Alternative Cooking Methods
Instant Pot: Cook the seasoned, coated wings on high pressure for 10 minutes, then place them on a baking sheet and use the broiler on high for 2-3 minutes to crisp them up.
Air Fryer: Cook the seasoned wings at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes (depending on their size), shaking the basket halfway.
Grill: Grill the wings over medium heat for about 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally until fully cooked, then toss in the lemon pepper honey sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use frozen chicken wings, but be sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before seasoning and baking.
You can make your own by combining lemon zest with cracked black pepper and salt, or use another tangy seasoning like a chili lime or citrus garlic blend.
If you want a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix, then add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the honey lemon pepper sauce.
Marinate the wings for at least 30 minutes, but for best results, let them marinate for 2-4 hours.
More Delicious Appetizer Recipes
- Air Fryer Garlic Chicken Wings
- Crispy Roasted Baby Potatoes
- Air Fried Ravioli
- Butterfly Shrimp Recipe
These Honey Lemon Pepper Wings are crispy, flavorful, and easy to make. Baked to golden perfection and tossed in a flavorful honey-lemon sauce, they are perfect for any occasion. In 45 minutes, you can have crispy, tangy restaurant-quality wings on the table.
If you try this recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave a star rating in the comment section below because I love hearing from my readers. Also follow me at Cookin’ With Mima on FACEBOOK |INSTAGRAM |PINTEREST for all of my latest social posts and recipes.
Lemon Pepper Honey Wings
Ingredients
For chicken
- 2 lb chicken wings
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasonings
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
For lemon pepper sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasonings
- Chopped parsley, to garnish
- Lemon wedges, to serve
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and place a rack on top. Set aside.
- Pat dry the chicken wings with a kitchen towel and transfer them to a large bowl.
- Sprinkle the spices over the chicken wings: lemon pepper seasoning, baking soda, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Add cornstarch and coat the chicken wings thoroughly. Arrange the chicken wings on the rack placed on the baking tray. Bake for 30-35 minutes until the wings are crispy and golden.
- While the wings are baking, prepare the sauce: heat a skillet with butter over medium flame. Once melted, add the honey, lemon juice, parsley, and lemon pepper seasoning. Mix until well combined.
- Remove the skillet from heat and add the baked chicken wings. Toss until the wings are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Transfer the lemon pepper wings to a serving platter, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
- Pat Dry the Wings: Ensure the wings are thoroughly dried with paper towels before seasoning to achieve maximum crispiness.
- Preheat the Oven: Make sure the oven is fully preheated to the right temperature for consistent results.
- Toss in Sauce Last: Add the lemon pepper honey sauce after baking to keep the wings crispy.
