Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings: Wingstop Style

Lemon pepper wings are a perfect snack for game day or a party. They are also a healthier alternative to deep-fried wings. This recipe uses lemon pepper seasoning, salt, olive oil, and butter to create a tangy, zesty, and spicy flavour. The air fryer gives the wings a crispy texture while keeping the meat tender.

Preheat the air fryer to 380-425°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It helps to ensure that your food cooks evenly and that you achieve the desired level of crispiness. Depending on your air fryer, you may need to manually set it to preheat, or you can simply turn it to the desired temperature and let it run for a few minutes.

When making lemon pepper wings, you should preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 380°F and 425°F. This temperature range will ensure that your wings cook through properly and achieve a nice crispy texture. Preheat your air fryer for about 15 minutes. If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, you can turn it to the desired temperature and let it run for 5 minutes.

It is also important to note that you should not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Place the wings in a single layer, leaving some space between them to allow for proper air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in multiple batches.

By preheating your air fryer to the correct temperature and following these tips, you'll be on your way to making delicious lemon pepper wings with a crispy exterior and juicy interior.

Toss the wings in lemon pepper seasoning

To make Wingstop lemon pepper wings in an air fryer, you'll need to toss the chicken wings with lemon pepper seasoning before placing them in the air fryer basket. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to help you achieve the best results:

Choosing the Right Wings:

Start by selecting fresh chicken wings with a pinkish colour and no slimy texture. Opt for larger wings as they tend to have more meat and produce juicier results. You can purchase pre-cut wings, or separate the wings, drumettes, and flats (the middle part of the wing) yourself. Don't forget to discard the wing tips or save them for making stock.

Preparing the Wings:

Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels. This step is crucial as it ensures that the seasoning will stick to the wings and helps achieve a crispy texture during cooking. You can also choose to coat the wings in a thin layer of olive oil or another cooking oil to help the seasoning adhere and promote browning.

Seasoning the Wings:

Tossing the wings in lemon pepper seasoning is a key step in achieving the signature Wingstop lemon pepper flavour. You can use a store-bought lemon pepper seasoning blend, or make your own by combining dried lemon zest, pepper, and salt. Some people also like to add garlic powder and onion powder to their seasoning blend for extra flavour. Generously coat the wings with the seasoning, making sure each wing is well-covered. You can also sprinkle on additional seasoning after cooking for an extra punch of flavour.

Air Frying Tips:

When placing the wings in the air fryer basket, arrange them in a single layer with some space between each wing. This ensures proper air circulation and even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the wings in multiple batches. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (or 380°F for crispier wings) for about 15 minutes before adding the wings. Cook the wings for 8-10 minutes, then flip them over and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes or until they are golden brown. For even crispier skin, increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes.

Serving Suggestions:

Wingstop lemon pepper wings can be served as an appetiser, snack, or party food. They go well with a variety of dipping sauces, including ranch, blue cheese, honey mustard, and herbed buttermilk ranch. For a healthier option, serve them with celery or carrot sticks on the side.

Place the wings in the air fryer basket

Now that you've prepped your wings and have a delicious lemon pepper seasoning, it's time to cook them. Place the wings in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. This is important for even cooking and to ensure that all wings are crispy. If your air fryer basket is on the smaller side, you may need to cook the wings in batches.

Once you've arranged the wings in the basket, it's time to set the air fryer temperature. For juicy, tender wings with a golden-brown exterior, you'll want to cook them at two different temperatures. Start by cooking the wings at 350°F for 15 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes. This higher temperature will help to crisp up the wings and give them that perfect golden colour.

While the wings are cooking, you can prepare the lemon honey sauce by mixing melted butter, lemon pepper seasoning, and honey in a small bowl. You can also sprinkle on some fresh lemon zest for an extra burst of flavour.

Once the wings are done, remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a plate or bowl. Brush the lemon honey sauce over the wings, making sure to coat them evenly. Your wings are now ready to be served!

Cook for 20-25 minutes

Now, it's time to cook your wings! Place the wings in the air fryer and cook for 20-25 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on how crispy you like your wings and the model of your air fryer, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

For an air fryer set to 380 degrees, cook the wings for 20-22 minutes, shaking the basket at the halfway mark. If you're using a lower wattage air fryer, you may need to cook the wings for longer until they are golden brown and crispy.

If you're cooking in an air fryer set to 425 degrees, place the wings in a single layer and cook for 8 minutes. Then, turn the wings over and cook for another 8 minutes or until they are golden brown and mostly cooked.

If you're cooking at 350 degrees, place the wings in a single layer and cook for 11 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to 400 degrees and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes to get a nice crispy skin on the wings.

Once the wings are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and toss them with the prepared lemon pepper sauce. Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and juicy lemon pepper wings!

Increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for another 3-5 minutes

Now, we're getting into the final stretch of cooking these lemon pepper wings. You've seasoned the wings, you've cooked them for 20-22 minutes, shaking the basket at the halfway mark, and now it's time to crank up the heat and finish them off.

Increase the temperature of your air fryer to 400°F and cook the wings for another 3-5 minutes. This final blast of heat will ensure that the skin of the wings gets perfectly crispy. While the wings are cooking, you can prepare the lemon honey sauce by mixing the butter, lemon pepper seasoning, and honey in a small bowl.

Once the wings are done, they should be tender and juicy on the inside with a golden-brown, crispy exterior. Remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a plate. Drizzle the lemon honey sauce over the wings, and they're ready to be served!

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