Air Fryer Honey Lemon Pepper Wings: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Chicken wings are a classic crowd-pleaser, and these honey lemon pepper wings are sure to be a hit at your next party or game day gathering. This recipe is made in an air fryer, which gives the wings a wonderfully crispy crust while keeping the inside meat tender. The key to getting that crispy texture is to pat the wings dry before cooking and to cook them in a single layer, without overcrowding the air fryer basket.

The wings are seasoned with a lemon pepper rub and cooked until golden and crispy. They are then tossed in a zesty honey lemon pepper glaze, made with honey, lemon juice and zest, garlic, and olive oil. The result is a delicious appetizer that is sweet, tangy, and buttery, with a good amount of heat.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It helps to ensure that your food will cook evenly, and it also helps to create a crispy exterior on your chicken wings. Here are some detailed instructions on how to preheat your air fryer for honey lemon pepper wings:

First, make sure your air fryer is clean and dry. Plug it in and turn it on. Set the temperature to between 350°F and 425°F. The exact temperature will depend on your air fryer and the recipe you are following. Most recipes recommend preheating between 375°F and 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes. If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, simply set it to the desired temperature and let it heat up for the specified amount of time.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your chicken wings. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial because it ensures that the wings will be crispy after cooking. You can also trim any excess fat or loose skin from the wings to promote crispiness and reduce grease.

Once the air fryer has preheated, you can proceed to the next step of the recipe, which is usually tossing the wings with oil and seasonings. Place the seasoned wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the basket. Now you are ready to cook your honey lemon pepper wings!

Preheating your air fryer is a simple but important step that will help ensure your chicken wings turn out crispy and delicious. By taking the time to properly preheat your air fryer, you'll be well on your way to creating a mouthwatering dish.

Prepare the chicken wings

Preparing the chicken wings is a crucial step in making honey lemon pepper wings in an air fryer. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to ensure your wings turn out perfectly:

Firstly, you will need to separate the wings into drumettes, flats, and tips. The wing tips can be discarded, or you can choose to season and cook them as well. Pat the wings dry with paper towels. This step is important as it ensures that the seasoning will stick to the wings and helps to achieve a crispy texture during cooking.

Next, you can choose to trim any excess fat or loose skin from the wings. This step helps to reduce the amount of grease during cooking and promotes crispiness. It is also recommended to use a mix of drumettes and wingettes for a better overall texture and flavour.

Now, it's time to season the wings. In a large bowl, combine the wings with your chosen seasonings. You can use a store-bought lemon pepper seasoning, or make your own by combining dried lemon zest, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add some olive oil to the bowl and toss the wings until they are thoroughly coated. You can also add other spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, or garlic powder to enhance the flavour.

Once the wings are seasoned, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer basket. Place the wings in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. This step is crucial for even cooking and crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in multiple batches.

After the wings are arranged, it's time to preheat the air fryer. Set the temperature to between 350-425°F and preheat for about 10-15 minutes. Preheating ensures that your wings will cook evenly and helps to achieve that desired crispy texture.

Finally, it's time to cook the wings. Place the air fryer basket into the preheated air fryer and cook the wings for about 10-15 minutes. Then, flip the wings and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes. The total cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the size of the wings, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

And that's it! Your chicken wings are now ready to be sauced and glazed. Remember to always check that the internal temperature of the wings reaches 165°F to ensure they are cooked through.

Cook the chicken wings

Now that your air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook the chicken wings! Place the wings in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with some space between them for proper air circulation. You may need to cook the wings in multiple batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. Set the air fryer temperature to 350°F and cook the wings for 15 minutes.

Once the initial cooking time is up, increase the temperature to 400°F and continue cooking for an additional 3 to 5 minutes. This higher temperature will help develop a nice browning on the wings.

To ensure the wings are cooked properly, use a meat thermometer to verify the internal temperature of the thickest part of the wings, which should reach 165°F. The wings should be tender and juicy on the inside, with a golden-brown, crispy exterior.

If you are cooking a larger batch of wings and need to cook them in multiple batches, it is important to keep the first batch warm while cooking the rest. You can do this by placing the cooked wings in a preheated oven at a low temperature, such as 200°F, while you cook the remaining wings.

Make the honey lemon pepper glaze

Now for the honey lemon pepper glaze! This zesty and addictive sauce is what will make your wings stand out. Here's a step-by-step guide to making it:

Start by gathering your ingredients: you will need olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, and of course, pepper. You can adjust the amount of each ingredient to your taste preferences, but a good starting point is 1 teaspoon of olive oil, 3 cloves of minced garlic, ½ teaspoon of fresh lemon zest, 1 ½ tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of honey, and ¾ teaspoon of black pepper.

Heat your olive oil in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Add in the minced garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice, giving it a good mix to combine the flavors. Next, pour in the honey and continue to mix.

Let this mixture cook on low heat for around 3 to 4 minutes. You'll know it's ready when it thickens and becomes syrupy. Once it reaches this consistency, remove it from the heat.

Your honey lemon pepper glaze is now ready to be poured over your chicken wings! Simply drizzle it over the wings, making sure to coat them evenly.

If you're feeling extra creative, you can even add some cilantro as a garnish for a pop of color and brightness.

There you have it! A delicious and addictive honey lemon pepper glaze that will take your air fryer wings to the next level. Enjoy the sweet and tangy flavors of this glaze, and feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste buds.

Toss the wings in the glaze

Now for the fun part: tossing the wings in the glaze!

First, transfer the hot wings into a large bowl. You can line this bowl with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Then, drizzle the melted butter over the wings. Sprinkle the lemon pepper seasoning over the wings, and stir until the wings are evenly coated.

The key to this step is to toss the wings when they are still super hot, so that they soak in all the flavours. You can also use a meat thermometer to verify that the internal temperature of the thickest part of the wings is 165°F.

And there you have it—your honey lemon pepper wings are ready to be served hot!

Frequently asked questions