Zesty Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
Equipment
- Air fryer The star of the show. A 5-quart or larger model works great for evenly cooking the wings in a single layer.
- Mixing bowls You’ll need at least two for seasoning and tossing.
- Tongs For flipping the wings mid-cook.
- Zester or microplane To get that fragrant lemon zest.
- Measuring Spoons Precision helps balance those spices.
- Optional: Baking sheet with wire rack If you want to make a big batch and keep them warm in the oven.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken wings split into flats and drumettes, tips removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1½ teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning preferably one with real lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest from about 1 medium lemon
- 1 tablespoon melted butter optional, for tossing after air frying
- Fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Optional Dipping Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Prep the Chicken
- Start by patting your chicken wings dry with paper towels. This is key to ensuring they crisp up nicely in the air fryer. Place them in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat.
Season for Flavor
- In a small bowl, mix together salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and lemon pepper seasoning. Sprinkle this blend over the wings and toss until each piece is well coated.
Air Fry to Crispy Perfection
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for about 3 minutes. Arrange the wings in a single layer in the basket—don’t overcrowd. Cook for 10 minutes, then use tongs to flip each wing. Cook for another 10 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp.
Add That Fresh Lemon Finish
- Right after they come out of the air fryer, toss the hot wings with fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and optional melted butter. The zest adds brightness, and the butter gives a silky finish that sticks the flavor to every bite.
Serve It Up
- Serve the wings hot, garnished with fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy. Don’t forget the creamy lemon dipping sauce on the side.