These Honey Lemon Pepper Wings are the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in a luscious honey-lemon pepper sauce, they’re a crowd-pleasing option for game-day snacking, dinner, or any occasion where finger-licking food is a must.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy Perfection: The baked wings are golden and crunchy without the need for frying.
- Bold Flavors: Sweet honey meets zesty lemon and spicy black pepper for an unforgettable taste.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and clear steps, this recipe is beginner-friendly.
- Customizable: Adjust the lemon, honey, or spice levels to suit your preferences.
- Versatile: Serve these as an appetizer, snack, or main course.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Chicken Wings:
- 2 pounds chicken wings
- 3 tablespoons potato starch (or cornstarch)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Oil spray
For the Honey Lemon Pepper Sauce:
- ½ cup honey
- 1 lemon, zested
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1–2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of salt
Directions
Prepare the Chicken Wings:
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels to ensure maximum crispiness.
- In a large bowl, mix the potato starch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Add the wings and toss to coat evenly.
Bake the Wings:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray lightly with oil. Arrange the wings in a single layer.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) and bake for 35–40 minutes, flipping halfway through. Lightly spray with more oil during the flip for an extra-crispy finish.
Prepare the Honey Lemon Pepper Sauce:
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, butter, black pepper, and a pinch of salt.
- Stir and simmer for 3–5 minutes until the sauce is slightly thickened. Set aside a small portion for dipping, if desired.
Coat the Wings:
- Once the wings are golden and crispy, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the sauce over the wings and toss until they are thoroughly coated.
Serve:
Serve immediately, with reserved sauce for dipping if desired.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4 servings
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
Variations
- Spicier Wings: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce or sprinkle chili flakes over the finished wings.
- Sweeter Flavor: Increase the honey to ¾ cup for a sweeter coating.
- Air Fryer Option: Cook the wings in an air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, shaking halfway.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use arrowroot powder instead of potato starch for a gluten-free coating.
- Extra Citrus Kick: Add a splash of orange juice or extra lemon zest for a brighter flavor.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10–15 minutes to restore crispiness, or in the microwave for 1–2 minutes for convenience.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen wings?
Yes, but thaw them completely and pat them dry to ensure crispiness.
2. How can I make the wings spicier?
Add chili powder to the dry coating or mix hot sauce into the honey-lemon pepper sauce.
3. Can I fry the wings instead of baking them?
Absolutely. Fry the wings at 375°F (190°C) until golden and crispy, then toss them in the sauce.
4. Is there a substitute for potato starch?
Cornstarch or arrowroot powder works well as an alternative.
5. Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the sauce up to 3 days in advance and reheat it before tossing with the wings.
6. Can I grill the wings instead of baking?
Yes, grill the wings over medium heat for 20–25 minutes, flipping frequently for even cooking.
7. What can I serve with these wings?
Serve with celery sticks, carrot sticks, and a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing.
8. Can I use pre-cooked wings?
You can, but reduce the baking time to about 10–15 minutes to reheat and crisp them up.
9. How do I prevent soggy wings?
Make sure to pat the wings dry before coating them and bake them on a rack to allow air circulation.
10. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, just use an additional baking sheet and rotate them halfway through for even cooking.
Conclusion
These Honey Lemon Pepper Wings are the perfect blend of crispy, juicy, sweet, and tangy, making them a standout dish for any occasion. Whether it’s game day, a party, or just a craving for delicious wings, this recipe is sure to impress. Try them out, and don’t forget to serve with extra sauce for dipping!
Print
Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
Crispy and juicy Honey Lemon Pepper Wings combine sweet honey, tangy lemon, and bold black pepper for the ultimate crowd-pleasing snack or appetizer. Perfect for game days, parties, or dinner, these baked wings are finger-licking good!
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the Chicken Wings:
- 2 pounds chicken wings
- 3 tablespoons potato starch (or cornstarch)
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Oil spray
For the Honey Lemon Pepper Sauce:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 lemon, zested
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1–2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Wings:
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Pat chicken wings dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness.
- In a bowl, mix potato starch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Toss the wings in the mixture until evenly coated.
- Bake the Wings:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with oil. Arrange the wings in a single layer.
- Lower the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) and bake for 35–40 minutes, flipping halfway. Spray lightly with oil again during the flip for extra crispiness.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, butter, black pepper, and a pinch of salt.
- Stir and simmer for 3–5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Reserve some sauce for dipping if desired.
- Coat the Wings:
- Once the wings are golden and crispy, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the sauce over the wings and toss until thoroughly coated.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately with the reserved sauce for dipping, if desired.
Notes
- For spicier wings, add chili powder to the dry mix or hot sauce to the honey-lemon sauce.
- Use cornstarch or arrowroot powder as substitutes for potato starch.
- To reheat, bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10–15 minutes to restore crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack, Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
