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Crispy Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings

A close-up of a pile of perfectly cooked Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings with crispy, charred edges on a white plate.
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Make flavorful, crispy lemon pepper chicken wings using your air fryer. This recipe focuses on achieving a dry, zesty coating without deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs chicken wings (flats and drumettes)
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder (aluminum-free)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried lemon zest powder (or zest of 1 lemon, dried)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning blend (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken wings completely dry using paper towels. This step is crucial for crispiness.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried lemon zest powder, lemon pepper seasoning, and smoked paprika. This is your dry rub base.
  3. Toss the dried wings with the olive oil until lightly coated.
  4. Sprinkle the dry rub mixture over the oiled wings. Toss well until every piece is evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
  5. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 5 minutes.
  6. Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; work in batches if necessary.
  7. Air fry for 18 minutes.
  8. After 18 minutes, shake the basket vigorously or flip the wings. Increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C).
  9. Continue to cook for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until the wings are golden brown and the skin is very crispy.
  10. Remove the wings from the air fryer. Serve immediately as a dry-rubbed appetizer.

Notes

  • For extra zest, toss the hot, cooked wings with 1 tablespoon of melted butter mixed with 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice just before serving, if you prefer a slightly sauced finish.
  • If you do not have dried lemon zest powder, use the zest of one fresh lemon mixed into the dry rub, but understand the texture may be slightly different.
  • If using bone-in wings, cooking time may need to increase by 3-5 minutes total.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://magazinemeal.com/air-fryer-lemon-pepper-wings/