When it comes to crowd-pleasing appetizers or an easy weeknight dinner, nothing beats a plate of crispy, flavorful chicken wings. These Honey Lemon Pepper Wings are a game-changer! Coated in a sticky, sweet, and tangy sauce with just the right amount of peppery kick, these wings are guaranteed to be a hit.
Whether you’re hosting a game-day party or simply treating yourself, this recipe is simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor.
Why You’ll Love These Wings
- Crispy on the Outside, Juicy on the Inside: These wings are baked to perfection, achieving a delightful crunch without the need for deep frying.
- Sweet and Tangy Sauce: The honey lemon pepper sauce strikes the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess, with a hint of spice.
- Easy to Make: With just a handful of pantry staples and a simple process, you’ll have restaurant-quality wings in under an hour.
- Versatile: Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or main course.
Prep Time and Ingredients
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
For the Chicken Wings:
- 2 pounds chicken wings
- 3 tablespoons potato starch
- 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
- Zest of 1 lemon
- ¼ cup lemon juice (or more, to taste)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1–2 teaspoons ground pepper (adjust based on your spice preference)
- A pinch of salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Chicken Wings
Start by preheating your oven to 450°F. If your chicken wings are moist, pat them dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving that crispy texture.
In a large bowl, combine the potato starch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Toss the chicken wings in this mixture until they’re evenly coated. The potato starch and baking powder help create that golden-brown crispiness you’re looking for.
Step 2: Bake the Wings
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and lightly spray it with oil. Arrange the chicken wings in a single layer on the pan, ensuring they’re not overcrowded. Spray the tops of the wings with a bit more oil.
Reduce the oven temperature to 425°F and bake the wings for 35–40 minutes. Flip them halfway through cooking and spray the tops again with oil to ensure even crisping. The result? Perfectly golden and crispy wings that are ready to soak up all that delicious sauce.
Step 3: Make the Honey Lemon Pepper Sauce
While the wings are baking, it’s time to whip up the star of the show—the honey lemon pepper sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, butter, salt, and ground pepper. Stir everything together and let it simmer for 3–5 minutes until well combined. The aroma alone will have your mouth watering!
Pro tip: If you’d like a little extra sauce for dipping, set aside a small portion before tossing the wings.
Step 4: Toss and Serve
Once the wings are done baking, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the honey lemon pepper sauce over the wings and toss until they’re fully coated. Serve immediately while they’re hot and sticky.
Tips for Success
- Pat Dry Your Wings: Moisture is the enemy of crispiness! Make sure your wings are as dry as possible before coating them with the starch mixture.
- Don’t Skip the Baking Powder: It’s key to achieving that crispy texture without frying.
- Customize the Sauce: Love extra tang? Add more lemon juice. Prefer a spicier kick? Increase the ground pepper or add a pinch of cayenne.
- Reheat Like a Pro: If you have leftovers (though we doubt you will!), reheat them in the oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes to restore their crispiness.
Serving Suggestions
These Honey Lemon Pepper Wings pair wonderfully with classic sides like celery sticks and ranch or blue cheese dressing. You can also serve them alongside fries, coleslaw, or even a simple green salad for a complete meal.
Final Thoughts
These Honey Lemon Pepper Wings are proof that you don’t need complicated ingredients or techniques to make something truly special. The combination of crispy baked wings and a perfectly balanced sauce makes this recipe one you’ll come back to again and again.
Whether you’re enjoying them during a big game or as a weeknight treat, one thing’s for sure—these wings won’t last long on the table. So grab some napkins (you’ll need them!) and dig in. Enjoy!
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Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4–6 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These crispy, sticky, sweet and tangy honey lemon pepper wings are an irresistible crowd-pleaser. With a golden crust and juicy inside, they’re perfect for game days, parties, or a simple finger-licking dinner.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Wings:
- 2 pounds chicken wings
- 3 tablespoons potato starch
- 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 lemon juice (or more, to taste)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1–2 teaspoons ground black pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Pat chicken wings dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
In a large bowl, combine potato starch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Toss the wings until evenly coated.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with oil. Arrange wings in a single layer and spray the tops with more oil.
Reduce oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) and bake for 35–40 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying with oil again for extra crispiness.
While the wings are baking, prepare the sauce:
In a small saucepan over medium heat, add honey, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, butter, salt, and pepper.
Stir and simmer for 3–5 minutes until well combined.
Set aside a small amount of sauce for dipping, if desired.
Once wings are cooked and golden, transfer to a bowl. Pour the honey lemon pepper sauce over and toss to coat.
Serve hot with lemon wedges or dipping sauce on the side.
Notes
Potato starch and baking powder help achieve crispy skin without frying.
For spicier wings, add a pinch of cayenne to the dry seasoning or hot sauce to the glaze.
To reheat, bake at 375°F for 8–10 minutes or until hot and crispy again.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~5–6 wings
- Calories: ~320
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
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