Description

These Crispy Honey Lemon Pepper Wings offer a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors with a delightful crunch. Oven-baked to golden perfection and tossed in a flavorful honey lemon pepper glaze, they make an irresistible appetizer or snack for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Wings

1 pound chicken wings
1 tablespoon neutral oil (vegetable or avocado)

Dry Rub Seasonings

1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
¾ teaspoon salt

Glaze

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon honey
1 ½ teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Pinch cayenne pepper (about 1/16 teaspoon)

Optional Toppings

Chopped parsley
Lemon wedges

Instructions

Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a fitted wire rack on top. Generously spray the wire rack with cooking spray to prevent sticking. In a small bowl, mix together the baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt to create the dry rub. Separate the chicken wings into drumettes, wingettes, and tips. Discard the tips or save them for chicken stock.
Coat: Pat the wings dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure crispiness. Place them in a large bowl and massage in the neutral oil evenly. Sprinkle the dry rub over the wings and toss well to coat each piece uniformly. Arrange the wings spaced out on the prepared wire rack so heat circulates effectively around each one.
Bake: Place the wings in the oven and bake for 20 minutes at 400°F. Then increase the oven temperature to 450°F (232°C), flip each wing over for even crisping, and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes. The wings should become golden brown, crispy, and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be safely cooked.
Glaze: While the wings finish baking, combine the melted butter, honey, lemon pepper seasoning, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a large bowl. Once the wings are done, transfer them immediately into the glaze mixture and toss thoroughly to coat every piece in the flavorful sticky glaze.
Serve: Serve the wings hot, garnished with chopped parsley and lemon wedges if desired. These wings pair wonderfully with ranch dressing, garlic aioli, or your preferred dipping sauce for an extra burst of flavor.

Notes

Using baking powder in the dry rub helps achieve a crispy skin by drawing out moisture.
Ensure the wings are dry before coating to maximize crispiness.
Cooking times may vary slightly depending on wing size and oven; use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
For extra heat, increase cayenne pepper incrementally to taste.
Leftover wings can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chicken wings, honey lemon pepper wings, crispy chicken wings, baked chicken wings, appetizer, snack, easy chicken wings recipe