With just a few pantry staples, you can make these irresistible honey lemon pepper wings. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in a perfectly balanced sweet and tangy sauce, these wings are perfect for game day or an easy, finger-licking dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple and quick – Coat the wings with seasoning, pop them in the oven, and simmer the sauce. Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy!
- Versatile serving options – Enjoy as an appetizer, snack, or even a full meal.
- Crispy without frying – Thanks to potato starch and baking powder, these wings turn out deliciously crispy straight from the oven.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Wings:
- 2 lbs chicken wings (drumettes and/or wingettes)
- 3 tbsp potato starch (or cornstarch)
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- Oil spray
For the Honey Lemon Pepper Sauce:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (or more to taste)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1-2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 pinch salt
How to Make Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
- Prepare the Chicken Wings: Preheat oven to 450°F. Pat wings dry with a paper towel.
- Coat the Wings: In a large bowl, toss wings with potato starch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Bake the Wings: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, lightly spray with oil, and arrange the wings in a single layer. Spray the tops with more oil.
- Adjust Oven Temperature: Lower the heat to 425°F and bake for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying a bit more oil on top.
- Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, butter, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until well combined.
- Coat the Wings: Transfer baked wings to a large bowl and toss with the honey lemon pepper sauce. Alternatively, coat them directly on the sheet pan.
- Serve and Enjoy! Garnish with extra lemon zest and freshly cracked black pepper if desired.
Recipe Tips
- Love tart flavors? Add an extra tablespoon of lemon juice.
- Crispy wings hack: Let the wings air-dry uncovered in the fridge for a couple of hours before baking.
- Best way to reheat? Use an oven or air fryer to keep the wings crispy.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Zesting tip: Always zest the lemon before juicing it and avoid the bitter white pith.
Storing Leftovers
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
These honey lemon pepper wings are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Whether you serve them for a party, family dinner, or just because you’re craving wings, they’ll leave you licking your fingers and coming back for more!