Looking for a recipe that’s simple, flavorful, and perfect for game day or a quick dinner? These Honey Lemon Pepper Wings are the answer! Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in a sweet and tangy sauce, these wings are packed with bright lemon flavors, balanced by the sweetness of honey and a punch of black pepper. Whether you're serving them as an appetizer or a main course, these wings are bound to be a hit.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy to make: With just a few pantry staples, this recipe comes together effortlessly. Toss the wings in seasoning, pop them in the oven, make the sauce, and you're ready to go.
Versatile: These wings are perfect for any occasion—whether it's a snack, appetizer, or main course. They're sure to be the star of your next game day gathering.
Crispy without frying: Thanks to a blend of potato starch and baking powder, these wings turn out perfectly crispy without the need for deep frying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Chicken wings: Use a mix of drumettes and wingettes, or choose your favorite.
Potato starch: Creates a crispy coating. You can also substitute cornstarch.
Baking powder: Helps to brown and crisp the wings.
Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika for added flavor.
Honey: Adds sweetness to balance the tartness of the lemon.
Lemon: You'll need both juice and zest for that fresh, citrusy kick.
Garlic: The more, the better—freshly minced for the best flavor.
Butter: Adds richness to the sauce.
Pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper for a bold, spicy contrast.
Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the flavors.
How to Make Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
Preheat the oven: Heat the oven to 450°F and pat dry the chicken wings to remove any moisture.
Season the wings: Toss the wings with potato starch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika until they are well-coated.
Bake: Lay the wings in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet pan, spray with oil, and bake at 425°F for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Make the sauce: While the wings are baking, combine honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, butter, salt, and pepper in a small saucepan. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until well combined.
Toss the wings: Once the wings are baked and crispy, transfer them to a bowl and toss them in the honey lemon pepper sauce until fully coated.
Tips and Notes
Extra lemony flavor: If you love tartness, feel free to add an extra tablespoon of lemon juice for that extra citrus punch.
Crispy wings trick: For even crispier wings, place them in the fridge uncovered for a few hours before baking to dry out the skin.
Preheat and lower oven temp: Starting at a higher oven temperature before lowering it to 425°F helps to crisp the wings right from the start.
Storage: Leftover wings can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer to keep them crispy.
Final Thoughts
These Honey Lemon Pepper Wings are a delightful combination of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors, making them an irresistible treat for wing lovers. The balance of crispy texture with the sticky, flavorful sauce is sure to make this a go-to recipe for your game day spreads, family dinners, or any occasion that calls for a finger-licking appetizer. And with the ease of preparation, you can whip these wings up in no time—just don’t forget the Frito scoops or celery sticks for the perfect accompaniment!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Can I make these wings in the air fryer?Yes! Cook them at 400°F for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
What’s the difference between drumettes and wingettes?Drumettes are meatier and resemble small drumsticks, while wingettes (also called flats) have two bones and tend to be crispier.
Can I use cornstarch instead of potato starch?Yes, cornstarch can be used as a substitute for potato starch to achieve similar crispiness.
How do I keep the wings crispy after tossing them in sauce?Toss the wings in the sauce right before serving to ensure they stay crispy.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?You can make the sauce ahead and store it in the fridge. Reheat the sauce and toss with freshly baked wings when ready to serve.
What can I serve these wings with?Serve with celery sticks, ranch or blue cheese dressing, and Frito scoops for a complete game-day spread.
Is there a substitute for baking powder?No, baking powder helps crisp up the wings, so it's essential to the recipe. Don't substitute with baking soda.
Can I make this recipe with boneless wings?Yes, you can use boneless chicken chunks to make a boneless version of this recipe.
What type of honey works best?Use pure liquid honey. Flavored honey can add an interesting twist, but pure honey gives the best balance with the lemon and pepper.
How long do leftovers last?Leftover wings can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for best results.
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