Air Fryer Wings: Lemon Pepper Style

Air fryer lemon pepper wings are a quick, easy, and delicious snack that can be made in under 30 minutes. Requiring only a handful of ingredients, this recipe is perfect for game day, a party appetizer, or a weeknight dinner. The key to achieving crispy wings is to ensure they are in a single layer in the air fryer and to crank up the temperature for the final few minutes. The air fryer's forced circulating hot air makes the skin super crisp while leaving the inside tender and juicy. So, whether you're looking for a tasty snack or an easy dinner, air fryer lemon pepper wings are a great option!

Choosing the right air fryer

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can cook a wide range of foods, from "fried" chicken to roasted vegetables and even a whole chicken. When choosing the right air fryer, there are a few factors to consider:

Price

Air fryers range in price from $30 to $260, with most models hovering around $100. You don't have to spend a fortune to get a good-quality air fryer, but keep in mind that more expensive models may offer additional features or improved performance.

Capacity

Air fryers come in various sizes, from 2-quart to 5-quart or larger. Consider how many people you typically cook for and choose a size that will accommodate your needs. Keep in mind that larger air fryers may take up more counter space.

Type

There are two main types of air fryers: basket-style and oven-style. Basket-style air fryers are more basic, affordable, and compact but may not have as many features. Oven-style air fryers, also known as multi-ovens, are larger and tend to have more functions, such as toast, bake, and dehydrate.

Advanced Features

Some air fryers have additional preset buttons, dehydration, baking, and rotisserie functions, or indicators that let you know when to check on your food. Consider which features are important to you and whether you prefer a model with more or fewer buttons and dials.

Warranty

Look for an air fryer with a decent warranty. The shortest warranty is typically around 60 days, while some models offer coverage of up to three years.

Brand

Some popular air fryer brands include Black+Decker, Chefman, Cosori, Cuisinart, Dash, Elite Gourmet, Gourmia, GoWise, Hamilton Beach, Instant, Ninja, Oster, and PowerXL.

When choosing the right air fryer, consider your budget, the type of food you want to cook, the capacity you need, and the features that are important to you. Read reviews, compare prices, and choose a reputable brand to ensure you get a quality product that suits your needs.

Preparing the chicken wings

First, you'll want to start with fresh, split, and trimmed chicken wings. You can buy whole wings and separate them yourself, discarding the wing tips, or purchase wings that are already separated. For this recipe, you'll need around 1.5 to 2 pounds of chicken wings.

Before seasoning, it's important to pat the wings dry with paper towels. This step will help ensure a crispy skin when cooked. You can also coat the wings in a small amount of oil (about 1 tablespoon) at this stage, which will help the seasoning stick.

Now it's time to season the wings. For lemon pepper wings, you'll need lemon pepper seasoning, of course! You can use a store-bought blend, or make your own by combining dried lemon zest, pepper, and salt. Some blends also include garlic and/or onion powder for an extra kick of flavour. Sprinkle the seasoning generously over the wings, and toss to coat evenly.

If you want to get ahead, you can season the wings and refrigerate them for up to a day before cooking. This will allow the flavours to really penetrate the meat.

Once your wings are seasoned, they're ready to go into the air fryer! Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in batches.

Making the lemon pepper dry rub

The lemon pepper dry rub is a crucial element in air fryer lemon pepper wings, adding zesty flavour and aroma to the dish. Here is a detailed guide on preparing this mouth-watering dry rub:

Ingredients

The ingredients required for the dry rub are basic and easily accessible. These include:

• Lemon pepper seasoning
• Sea salt or regular salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Paprika
• Garlic powder

Preparation

To prepare the dry rub, follow these simple steps:

• Combine all the spices in a small bowl and mix them together thoroughly.
• Adjust the measurements of each spice according to your taste preferences. For a stronger lemon pepper flavour, increase the ratio of lemon pepper seasoning to the other spices.
• If you are using whole chicken wings, separate them at the joints and remove the wing tips. You can also use pre-separated wings (wingettes) to save time.
• Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. This step is crucial, as it ensures that the dry rub adheres evenly to the wings and helps achieve crispy skin during cooking.
• Place the chicken wings in a large bowl or a gallon-sized ziploc bag.
• Drizzle olive oil over the chicken wings. The oil will help the dry rub stick to the wings and enhance the flavour.
• Sprinkle the seasoning mix generously over the chicken wings.
• Toss the chicken wings or seal the bag and shake it to ensure the wings are evenly coated with the dry rub.

The lemon pepper dry rub is now ready to be used for your air fryer lemon pepper wings! Remember, you can adjust the quantities of the spices according to your taste preferences. This dry rub will add a burst of flavour to your wings, making them irresistible!

Cooking the wings

Preheat your air fryer to between 380 and 425 °F. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, set it to the desired temperature for 5 minutes.

Pat your chicken wings dry with paper towels and place them in a mixing bowl. Drizzle olive oil over the wings, then sprinkle on your chosen seasonings. Toss the wings to coat them evenly in the oil and seasoning.

Place the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they aren't overlapping, as this will affect how evenly they cook. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in batches.

Cook the wings for 8-10 minutes, then flip them over and cook for a further 8-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and mostly cooked.

For extra crispy skin, increase the temperature to 400 °F and cook for another 3-5 minutes. Keep an eye on the wings to make sure they don't burn.

Remove the wings from the air fryer and toss them with melted butter and any remaining seasoning. Return the wings to the air fryer and cook for a final 3-5 minutes, until they are deep golden brown and crispy.

Dipping sauces

Lemon pepper wings are a versatile dish that can be paired with a variety of dipping sauces to enhance their flavour. Here are some ideas for sauces that will complement the tangy, spicy, and sweet notes of lemon pepper wings:

Herbed Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

A refreshing, creamy ranch dressing is the perfect way to balance out the peppery kick of the wings. The cool, tangy flavour of buttermilk ranch is a classic pairing that will never go out of style.

Nashville Hot Chicken Dip

If you're feeling adventurous and want to turn up the heat, try this spicy dip. It will surely set your taste buds ablaze, but in the best possible way. This dip is not for the faint of heart!

Blue Cheese Dressing

Blue cheese dressing is a timeless classic when it comes to chicken wings. The tangy, slightly funky flavour of the cheese cuts through the heat of the wings, offering a savoury contrast that is simply irresistible.

Honey Mustard

Honey mustard is a sweet and tangy sauce that adds a boost of flavour to lemon pepper wings. It's a perfect match for the zesty lemon and spicy pepper notes in the wings, creating a delightful harmony of flavours.

Greek Yogurt, Honey, and Dijon Mustard Sauce

For a healthier option, try dipping your wings in a mixture of Greek yogurt, honey, and Dijon mustard. The yogurt provides a creamy base, while the honey adds a touch of sweetness, and the Dijon mustard brings a subtle kick.

Frank's Hot Sauce or Sriracha

If you're a fan of spicy food, reach for a bottle of Frank's hot sauce or Sriracha. These thick and slightly sweet hot sauces will add an extra layer of heat and flavour to your wings, taking them to the next level.

Frequently asked questions