Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings make the perfect quick and easy appetizer for main for a weeknight dinner. Only a few ingredients needed, and ready in under 30 minutes!
Ain't no thang like a chicken wing! Okay, that was lame, but I swear we are obsessed with wings in our house. These Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings are seasoned with a homemade lemon pepper seasoning and tossed in baking powder for a super crispy chicken wing. The wings are simple to make, require basic ingredients and are ready in under 30 minutes.
Any air fryer can be used for these lemon pepper chicken wings, but I love to use my Ninja Foodi for the perfect crispy wing. This recipe works great for a weeknight family dinner, party appetizer or game day tailgating food.
Ingredient Notes
Lemon Pepper Seasoning: I like to make my own seasoning, so I can customize it to my liking. You can follow my recipe below, or you can use store-bought Lemon Pepper Seasoning. If using store bought you can omit all the spices below, but you will still need to add the baking powder in.
Chicken Wings: I prefer to use a combination of flats and drumettes for my chicken wing recipe, but you could use all of one or the other. Whichever you use try and make sure they are all a similar size, so they will cook evenly in the air fryer.
Why You Will Be OBSESSED!
Quick & Easy: Simple Prep and Basic Ingredients Required
Ready in Under 30 Minutes
Versatile: Great as a Main or Party/Game Day Appetizer
Instructions
- Pat chicken wings dry with a paper towel then add to a large zip-lock bag (a bowl works as well). Add in the baking powder, lemon zest and spices.
- Seal the bag and shake gently tossing the chicken in the spices until all the wings are evenly coated.
- Add the chicken wings to a preheated air fryer basket in and even layer and mist with olive oil spray.
- Close the lid and cook at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes, flipping half way through.
- Once the chicken is cooked through and crispy, remove from the air fryer and serve warm tossed in additional lemon pepper seasoning, lemon juice or diced green onions.
Storing Leftover Chicken Wings
Once cooked store leftover air fryer lemon pepper wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When ready to eat you can reheat them in the microwave, oven or in your air fryer. To get your wings crispy again I recommend going with your oven or air fryer for reheating.
Pro Tips
Air Fryer Tips: When air frying it is important to preheat your air fryer and flip/toss your chicken wings halfway through cooking. Preheating helps the wings cook faster and more evenly. Flipping the wings will help all the sides get nice and crispy.
Pat Dry: Before air frying and tossing in the lemon pepper seasoning make sure to pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel. This will help the seasoning stick to the wings and make them crispy.
More Seasoning: I always like to add my dry rub before cooking my wings, but you can also add additional lemon pepper rub on after you cook the wings. This will pack even more flavor and give you a very flavorful chicken wing. To do this spray the wings with oil and toss in additional seasoning. If going this route I recommend doubling the rub and reserving half for tossing.
How to Serve
I enjoying serving my Lemon Pepper Wings with some fresh lemon juice, and diced green onions sprinkled over top. You could also serve with a dipping sauce like ranch dressing or hot sauce.
FAQS
First, you need to make sure to dry your meat with paper towels before cooking. This will help your spices stick to the wing and not the likely surface. Second, you want to oil the meat after the wings are cooked then toss in the spices. This helps the spices to adhere better.
Yes, you can cook frozen chicken wings in your air fryer. I usually cook mine and additional 5 minutes for a total of 25 minutes at 400 degrees F. During the last 5 minutes spray the wings with olive oil to crisp them up. If going this route you will not be able to add your rub beforehand, but you can toss the wings in the lemon pepper seasoning (omit the baking powder) after cooking.
You can add a rub to chicken wings before or after cooking or even both. I always seasoning my sings before cooking, because I think they give the wings more flavor and the seasoning sticks to the wings better. Depending on the wing I also toss in additional seasoning to really bring the flavor home.
My Kitchen Faves
I love using my Ninja Foodi for all of my air frying recipe. I have a 6.5 quart and this fits 12 standard chicken wings perfectly. You can use any air fryer you wish for these wings, but the cook times may vary.
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Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings
Ingredients
- 12 Chicken Wings
- ½ tablespoon Baking Powder
- Zest of 1 Lemon
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Dried Thyme
- 1 teaspoon Brown Sugar
- ¾ tablespoon Ground Black Pepper
For Serving
- Lemon Juice
- Green Onions Diced
- Additional Lemon Pepper Seasoning See Notes
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F, then pat chicken wings dry with a paper towel then add to a large zip-lock bag (a bowl works as well).
- Add in all of the remaining ingredients into the bag with the chicken, then seal the bag. Shake gently tossing the chicken in the spices until all the wings are evenly coated.
- Add the dry rub chicken wings to your air fryer basket in and even layer and mist with olive oil spray. Close the lid and cook at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes, flipping half way through.
- Once the chicken is cooked through and crispy, remove from the air fryer and serve warm tossed in additional lemon pepper seasoning, lemon juice or diced green onions.
Beth
These are absolutely delicious and so tasty. My family and I enjoyed these the other night and they were gone so fast! We loved them and I’ll definitely be making these again very soon!
Caitlyn Erhardt
Glad your family enojyed.
Gavin Sutherland
Lemon pepper is one of my fave chicken rubs/marinades. This chicken was moist, tender, full of flavour and healthy - excellent recipe!
Caitlyn Erhardt
Same here! Such a yummy flavor combo.
Jeri
What a great recipe for wings! The seasoning is just perfect. I will definitely be making these again, my family loved them!
Caitlyn Erhardt
YAY! Glad everyone enjoyed the wings!
Jo
What an amazing chicken wings recipe! I love how easy it is to make!
Caitlyn Erhardt
Thank you!
veenaazmanov
This is so easy and I love the Air Fryer cooking. All the yummy spices and flavors make this chicken so perfect and delicious.
Caitlyn Erhardt
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed the chicken wings!