Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings - These delicious Wings with crispy skin are tangy and have a slight kick from buffalo sauce. Perfect for game night, as a starter,  for a party side or pretty much any get together. They can be made in the oven or air fryer and are packed full of flavour.

Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

These baked hot honey lemon pepper wings are made with a few simple ingredients and are crunchy, sweet and deliciously savoury too.

Chicken Wings

Chicken wings are part of American cuisine. In this recipe we use a lemon pepper seasoning with honey and buffalo hot sauce (a vinegar based cayenne pepper hot sauce) to coat the chicken wings. 

Wings are traditionally served hot, usually alongside celery sticks and a blue cheese or ranch dressing. 

Buffalo wings have gained in popularity in the United States (New York) and are popular all over the world.

Ingredients in Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Chicken Wings

 It is best to buy the wings in drumsticks and wings separately. It makes life easier!

Dry Rub

Lemon Pepper Seasoning

Taste it first as some are quite salty so you will want to adjust any salt you add later.  

Ginger

Ground ginger/Ginger Powder.

Garlic

Garlic powder/Garlic Granules.

Smoked Paprika

Adds a bit of smoky flavour as well as colour and some heat.

Baking powder

This adds crunch and makes the skin super crispy.

Salt

Add a pinch but taste the lemon pepper first. If that is salty, skip adding any additional salt.

Pepper

I prefer course freshly ground Black Pepper as it adds more flavour then the finer variety.

Hot Honey Lemon Sauce

Butter

This adds loads of flavour but you can also use Oil.

Lemon

The Juice and Zest of 1 large lemon is needed. You can add more or less according to your taste.

Honey

A clear honey that isn’t too strong in flavour will work well.

Lemon Pepper

I add some in the sauce too to really get the flavour of lemon pepper on the wings.

Hot Sauce

I use Frank’s Red Hot Sauce but any hot sauce will work.

How to make Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

There are 2 ways to cook the wings:

How to bake them in the Oven

Pat the wings dry.

Mix the lemon pepper, ginger, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic and baking powder in a small dish.

Sprinkle over the wings and rub in. At this stage you can place them uncovered in the fridge for 6 hours or overnight.

Place a wire rack on a foil lined oven tray and add wings.

Preheat the oven to 400 F/200C/Gas Mark 6

Cook the wings in the oven for 35 minutes flipping midway.

For the Sauce

Add Butter, Honey, Lemon Juice and Zest and Hot Sauce to a small pan. 

Whisk and then simmer for 5 minutes.

Brush some of the sauce over the wings and then bake for a further 10 minutes.

Toss the wings in the remaining sauce.

Honey Lemon Pepper Wings in the Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F.

Pat the wings dry.

Preheat the oven to 400 F/200C/Gas Mark 6.

Mix the lemon pepper, ginger, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic and baking powder in a small dish. Add to wings.

At this stage you can place them in the fridge for 6 hours. This helps them to dry out. Air fry in a single layer for 20 minutes, flipping midway.

Meanwhile whisk the remaining ingredients for the sauce together.

Brush some of the sauce onto the wings and air fry for 5 more minutes.

Remove the wings rom the air fryer and toss in the sauce. 

FAQS

What should I serve with wings at a party?

These Honey Lemon Chicken Wings can be served alongside ranch sauce, with coleslaw or with Mac and Cheese.

Can you prepare wings in advance?

Yes you can, however you will need to crisp them up again in the oven/air fryer for a fry minutes just before serving. 

How do you keep wings crispy for a party?

You can do as above or you can bake them with the dry rub and then set aside. Then add the sauce and cook for the remaining time just before serving. 

Can I use another sweetener instead?

Yes you can use Agave or Maple Syrup instead.

Can I use frozen wings?

You can use thawed frozen wings in this recipe. starting.

Can I air fry these wings?

Yes you can. Air fry for 20 - 25 minutes at 200 C. Don’t forget to flip midway. Brush with sauce and ir fry for a further 5 minutes.

Expert Tips

Cooking time may vary slightly according to the size of the wings. For best result make sure that the internal temperature is at 165 F/74 C.

Dry out the wings - Pat them dry or place them in the fridge, uncovered, for 6 hours or overnight.

How to serve them 

Serve with Coleslaw, Garlic Bread, Mac and Cheese and Ranch Sauce.

Storing leftovers

Fridge

Leftovers will keep in the fridge in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days but are best served fresh as the skin will not be as crispy.

You can place them in the air fryer or oven to crisp up for 5 - 7 minutes at 200 C/400 F/Gas Mark 6.

Freezer

These honey lemon pepper wings also freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw and then reheat them in the microwave or in the oven.

more chicken recipes to try:

Chicken Manchurian with Rice

Air Fryer Whole Tandoori Roast Chicken

Panda Express Copycat - Honey Sesame Chicken Strips

Indian Chicken Goujons

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