Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Lemon Pepper Wings are going to be the first appetizer to disappear at your next game day or Super Bowl party! Chicken wing portions are tossed in lemon juice, oil, cornstarch, and lemon pepper seasoning, then baked in the oven for a perfectly crispy skin. Serve this quick and easy recipe along with other finger foods for your next get-together!

No Super Bowl or game day party is complete without a finger-licking plate FULL of baked chicken wings.

Garlic Parmesan Wings, Air Fryer Chicken Wings, Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings, Thai Chicken Wings, or this lemon pepper variation – I’m not picky!

However, chicken wings sort of get a bad rap for being unhealthy and difficult to make.

But can I let you in on a little secret?

They can actually be A LOT healthier for you if you bake the chicken wings in the oven instead of deep-frying them!

What-the-what?! How could baking them in the oven create such crispy and crunchy skin?

Well you’re going to need to pay attention very closely to a few tips and tricks for the BEST baked wings recipe below.

And you’ll also learn how to easily prep them ahead of the big day so they can be popped in the oven when the game begins!

Ingredients

The simple ingredients you need to make this Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings recipe include:

• Wing Portions. You’ll need roughly 2 pounds of wingettes and drumettes to make the recipe. The part that looks like a drumstick is the drumette and has the most white meat, and the highest meat to skin ratio. Wingettes, AKA flats, contain two bones, have more dark meat, and slightly less meat to skin than drumettes. Most grocery stores normally have both wingettes and drumettes already cut and prepared in the meat section. However, if all you can find is whole chicken wings you can easily cut chicken wings yourself.
• Garlic. Fresh garlic is full of flavor and is the best choice. You can substitute for garlic powder but it will not give you nearly the same taste.
• Lemon Juice. Fresh lemon juice is preferred, but bottled will work as well.
• Oil. A high smoke point oil such as avocado oil is needed since you will be cooking at a high temperature. Canola, safflower, or grapeseed oil are also good options. Olive oil will work if it’s all you have.
• Cornstarch. This starchy component is the key ingredient that makes the wings crisp up in the oven. Tapioca starch or arrowroot starch may also be used if you are avoiding grains.
• Lemon Pepper Seasoning. Making a homemade version allows you to control the amount of salt. If you use store-bought make sure to read the label. If the mix contains salt, then do not add the salt mentioned in the lemon pepper wings recipe below.

How to Make Lemon Pepper Wings

The basic steps for making Lemon Pepper Wings are simple to follow. Please see the recipe card below for more detailed ingredient amounts.

Coat the Wings

Measure garlic cloves, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt (if your lemon pepper seasoning doesn’t contain any) into a large bowl. Use a whisk to thoroughly mix everything together.

Add the wing portions to the bowl and toss with the sauce. This step gets the wings slightly wet so the starch will adhere to the skin.

Cover with Starch

Whisk together cornstarch and lemon pepper seasoning in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture all over the wings and toss to coat completely. Add the starch mixture incrementally to ensure all of the chicken is coated evenly.

The starch gives the chicken wings their crispy coating, so DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!

Bake in Oven

For the crispiest results, set a wire rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet lined with either foil or parchment paper. Arrange the coated wings skin side-up in a single layer on the wire rack. Be careful not to overlap them for the most crispy skin!

You can also place the wings directly on a parchment paper lined baking sheet but they will not be as crispy.

Bake the chicken wings in a preheated 400°F oven for 40-45 minutes. After 20 minutes, carefully flip each of the wings over so they are skin side-down, then bake for the remaining 20-25 minutes.

You might also like these Oven Baked Chicken Drumsticks!

Brush with Lemon Pepper Sauce

While the wings are baking, whisk together a sauce of butter and more lemon pepper seasoning. If you are Whole30 or Paleo, simply use ghee. For a dairy-free version use a vegan “butter” stick instead.

Brush the sauce all over the wings and then return them to the oven on a high broil for 2-4 more minutes, or until crispy.

Serving

These lemon pepper wings are best served straight out of the oven with an extra sprinkling of crushed black pepper and a bit of fresh lemon zest.

They’re great on their own, or pair them with your favorite dipping sauces! A few of my favorites include Homemade Ranch Dressing and Blue Cheese Dressing!

Meal Prep and Storage

• To Prep-Ahead: Prepare the wings and stop just before baking in the oven. Keep the wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Bring them out at least 30 minutes before baking so they can come to room temperature. Follow the remaining instructions as outlined below.
• To Store: Place leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
• To Freeze: Seal in a freezer-safe airtight container for up to 3 months.
• To Reheat: Return to a 400°F oven for 10 minutes and broil for the last minute or two.

FAQs

Expert Tips and Tricks

• Avoid over-doing it. Only a light coating of oil is needed to perfectly crisp the wings.
• Don’t forget to starch! Cornstarch is the extra special ingredient that is necessary for the crispiest results.
• Leave some space. The hot air needs to be able to reach every inch of the wings so make sure they are not touching.
• Elevate the wings. Bake the wings on a wire rack so the air can circulate all around the chicken. 
• Keep the heat high. Baking at 400°F helps the skin to crisp up quickly while the inside becomes tender.
• Go for the extra crunch. Broiling skin side-up at the very end of baking will take the crispiness to the next level!

More Game Day Recipes

Create the best snack spread with the following appetizers:

• Texas (Cowboy) Caviar
• Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Grape Jelly Meatballs
• Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños
• 15 Healthy Super Bowl Recipes
• Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
• Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
• Chicken Leg Quarters