Lemon Pepper Wings 🍋🍗 — Zesty, Crispy & Irresistible Flavor Bomb

These Lemon Pepper Wings are incredibly crispy (thanks to one special cooking technique) and burst with pops of fresh citrus and black pepper. It’s an easy, baked chicken wing recipe perfect as a game-day appetizer or any day in between!

Takes use of store-bought seasoning! I know we all have a bottle of lemon pepper seasoning tucked inside our pantries (I’m looking at you, Mrs. Dash), which makes this recipe all the more approachable. You can, of course, make your own lemon pepper seasoning, but I find it so much easier to use store-bought. Plus, the pre-made seasonings are packed with lemon, pepper, and loads of spicy and savory herbs to really amp up these wings.

Easy Lemon Pepper Wings Recipe | Wingstop Copycat

Easy Lemon Pepper Wings Recipe | Wingstop Copycat -  If you've had Wingstop Lemon Pepper Wings before and wanted to make them at home, then look no further! This easy-to-follow yet tasty copycat-style recipe is exactly what you're looking for.

This video was inspired by a channel, @All Wings Everything.  After watching his videos and listening to him say he's the Wing King, Prince of the Lemon Pepper Wings. So I had to show him that he might have to share the throne!

Lemon Pepper Wings 🍋🍗

Ultra-crispy wings, punched up with bright lemon zest and bold black pepper. Make them in the oven (copycat Wingstop vibes) or the air fryer—both are easy and crazy flavorful.

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 35–45 mins (oven) • 18–22 mins (air fryer)

Total: 30–50 mins

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken wings, flats & drummettes, patted very dry
• 1 tbsp aluminum-free baking powder (optional, helps crisp)
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Lemon Pepper Finish

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and warm
• 2–3 tsp lemon pepper seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tsp fresh lemon zest (boosts real citrus pop)
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, to taste
• Extra cracked black pepper & flaky salt, to finish
• Chopped parsley or chives (optional)

Instructions (Oven)

1. Prep: Heat oven to 425°F/220°C. Line a sheet pan and set a wire rack on top; mist with oil.
2. Season wings: Mix baking powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Toss very dry wings until evenly coated.
3. Bake crisp: Arrange wings on the rack, skin side up. Bake 35–45 min, flipping once, until deep golden and very crispy (175–185°F internal for tender wings).
4. Lemon pepper finish: In a large bowl, stir warm butter, lemon pepper seasoning, zest, and lemon juice. Add hot wings and toss to coat. Season to taste with extra pepper and salt. Garnish with herbs.

Air Fryer Option

1. Preheat air fryer to 390–400°F (200–205°C) for 3–5 minutes; lightly oil basket.
2. Air fry wings in a single layer 18–22 min, shaking/turning halfway, until deeply crisp. Toss in the lemon-pepper butter as above.

Tips

• Dry = crisp: Pat wings dry and, if time allows, air-dry salted wings in the fridge 1–8 hours.
• Boost lemon: Store-bought lemon pepper shines with a little fresh zest and juice.
• Don’t crowd: Use a rack (oven) or batch cook (air fryer) so air can circulate.

Nutrition (per ~6 wings)

~430 kcal • Protein 29g • Fat 33g • Carbs 1–2g (est.).

Lemon Pepper Wings FAQ

What’s the “special technique” for extra-crispy wings?

Super-dry wings + a little aluminum-free baking powder + elevated airflow (rack/air fryer). Optional: air-dry wings in the fridge before cooking.

Can I skip the baking powder?

Yes—just dry wings very well and cook a bit longer. Baking powder accelerates browning and crisping but isn’t mandatory.

Best lemon pepper seasoning?

Any quality blend works. For true lemon pop, add fresh zest and a squeeze of juice to the butter toss.

How do I keep them crispy after saucing?

Toss quickly in warm butter, don’t over-sauce, and serve immediately. You can dust on some seasoning after plating to keep texture.

Are these gluten-free or keto?

Yes—no flour or sugar. Confirm your lemon pepper blend doesn’t contain additives if you’re strict GF/keto.