Honey Lemon Pepper Wings (Air Fryer)

These Honey Lemon Pepper Wings are everything you want in a wing—crispy, juicy, and tossed in a buttery, garlicky lemon pepper sauce with just the right touch of sweetness and heat. They’re fast, foolproof, and made without deep frying.

I love wings and I enjoy making a healthier version. I also love a crispy Chicken Sandwich and a yummy Filet-O-Fish. While I still chose to deep fry these 2 sandwiches, at least I was able to control all ingredients and what type of oil I use to deep fry them. You can check out my Homemade, Better Than Fast Food, Filet-O-Fish Recipe and Better than Fast Food Crispy Chicken Sandwich!

Serve this as finger food at your next party or a great appetizer but it works perfect for dinner as well! Serve it alongside some Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Basil Roasted Vegetables to keep it on the healthy side.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Crispy without frying – No oil, no splatter, just golden, crunchy wings from the air fryer.

Quick and easy – Done in under 30 minutes from start to finish.

Balanced flavor – Bright lemon, sweet honey, savory garlic, and just a dash of heat.

Family favorite – Perfect for game day, parties, or weeknight cravings.

Make-ahead friendly – You can air fry the wings and toss in sauce when ready to serve.

The Secret To Crispy Honey Lemon Pepper Wings

Ever wondered how to achieve that perfect crispy texture on your chicken wings? The answer lies in two simple yet effective ingredients: baking powder and cornstarch. When combined, these pantry staples work wonders in creating irresistibly crispy wings right in your air fryer.

Baking Powder: Adding a small amount of baking powder to the seasoning mix helps break down the proteins on the surface of the chicken skin. This process, known as velveting, creates a tender and crispy texture when the wings are cooked. Additionally, baking powder promotes browning, resulting in a beautifully golden exterior. Make sure the baking powder is aluminum free.

Cornstarch: Cornstarch acts as a coating that absorbs moisture from the chicken skin, ensuring it crisps up beautifully in the air fryer. It creates a thin, crunchy layer that locks in the juices, giving the wings that satisfying crunch with every bite.

Crispy Honey Lemon Pepper Wings Video

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A Closer Look at the Ingredients

Chicken Wings: Use split wings (drumettes and flats) for even cooking. Pat them dry before seasoning to help them crisp up in the air fryer.

Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Smoked Paprika, Black Pepper: This dry spice blend adds a layer of flavor that forms a nice crust on the wings as they cook.

Baking Powder (Aluminum-Free) + Cornstarch: The magic duo for crispy chicken wings in the air fryer. Baking powder helps dry the skin while cornstarch gives that extra crunch.

Unsalted Butter: Forms the base of the sauce. Using unsalted lets you control the final flavor, especially with seasoned ingredients like lemon pepper.

Lemon Pepper Seasoning: The star of the sauce. Go for a low-sodium lemon pepper so it doesn’t overpower the dish.

Fresh Lemon Juice + Zest: Use fresh lemon for the best flavor. Zest adds intense citrusy aroma while the juice brings brightness.

Honey + Franks Hot Sauce: A drizzle of honey adds balance and gloss, while hot sauce brings just enough heat to keep things exciting.

💡 Tip: Always zest your lemon before juicing—it’s much easier and you won’t waste any flavor!

Substitutions & Variations

Boneless option – Use boneless wings to reduce the cook time by a few minutes.

No air fryer? Bake the wings at 425°F on a wire rack for 45–50 minutes, flipping halfway.

Make it spicier – Add more Franks or a pinch of cayenne to the sauce.

Make it milder – Skip the hot sauce and go heavier on the honey.

Lemon pepper substitute – Mix lemon zest, black pepper, and a little garlic powder in a pinch.

Instructions

Full recipe and instructions in the recipe card at the end of blog

Step 1: Dry the wings with a paper towel, then coat them in garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, baking powder, and cornstarch. Toss until evenly coated.

Step 2: Place wings in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 24–26 minutes, flipping halfway.

Step 3: Melt butter in a small saucepan. Add crushed garlic and sauté briefly. Stir in lemon pepper seasoning, honey, lemon zest, lemon juice, and a dash of hot sauce. Simmer for a minute, then turn off the heat.

Step 4: Place cooked wings in a bowl and pour the sauce over. Toss until well coated and serve immediately with extra lemon wedges or a dipping sauce.

FAQ