Description
These Honey Lemon Pepper Wings are irresistibly crispy, oven-baked to golden perfection, and tossed in a glossy honey lemon pepper sauce. With a zingy citrus kick, a touch of sweetness, and plenty of cracked black pepper, they’re perfect for game day or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer. No frying required!
Ingredients
For the Chicken Wings
- 2 pounds chicken wings
- 3 tablespoons potato starch
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Oil spray
For the Honey Lemon Pepper Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1/4 cup lemon juice (or more, to taste)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1–2 teaspoons ground pepper
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep Wings: Heat the oven to 450°F. If your chicken wings are moist, pat them dry thoroughly with a paper towel. This helps achieve a crispier skin in the oven.
- Coat the Wings: In a large bowl, combine chicken wings with potato starch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Toss everything together until all the wings are well coated.
- Arrange Wings: Lightly spray a parchment-lined sheet pan with oil. Arrange the coated wings in a single layer on the pan, ensuring they are not touching. Spray the tops of the wings with a little more oil.
- Bake the Wings: Reduce the oven temperature to 425°F. Bake the wings for 35 to 40 minutes, depending on their size. Flip the wings halfway through baking and give them another spritz of oil to enhance crispiness.
- Make the Honey Lemon Pepper Sauce: While the wings bake, add honey, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, butter, ground pepper, and a pinch of salt to a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes until everything melds into a cohesive sauce. Reserve a bit for dipping, if desired.
- Coat the Wings with Sauce: Once the wings are done and crispy, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour over the honey lemon pepper sauce and toss until every wing is well coated.
- Serve: Serve wings immediately while hot and sticky. Include extra sauce on the side for dipping, if you like.
Notes
- Make sure to pat wings dry for extra crispy results.
- If you prefer spicier wings, add a pinch of cayenne to the coating or sauce.
- Chicken wings can also be made in an air fryer at 400°F for 25-28 minutes, turning halfway through.
- Leftover wings can be reheated in a hot oven or air fryer.
- Adjust lemon juice for more or less tang.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe (about 5 wings)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
