Thanks to delicious recipes like this Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings recipe, you only need a few easy-to-find ingredients and a baking sheet. Toss the baked wings in a silky honey-lemon-pepper sauce and enjoy!
Why I Love This Recipe
Hi, this simple recipe yields crispy, air-fried spicy chicken wings coated with an irresistible hot honey lemon pepper sauce, with sweet, tangy flavors and a spicy kick.
I used to rely on store-bought sauces for wings, but they grew dull and dry over time. So, I started experimenting with different recipes to create easy and tasty ones.
After trying multiple times, I finally arrived at this hot honey lemon pepper wings recipe using as few ingredients and steps as possible (like this honey Sriracha shrimp). And cooking the wings in the air fryer makes them crispy in less time without homemade hot honey sauce.
Try this recipe and pat yourself on the back for making perfect wings every time (also, this soy-garlic chicken wings).
Ingredients
- Chicken wings: Pat the wings thoroughly dry before seasoning. Removing as much surface moisture as possible helps the chicken wings turn crispy in the air fryer.
- Baking powder: Baking powder helps the chicken wings turn crispy and golden brown in the air fryer. I prefer choosing an aluminum-free version.
- Honey: This adds body to the spicy honey-lemon-pepper wings sauce and acts as a binding agent, evenly coating the chicken wings. I strongly advise you to add honey rather than substitute it with other sweeteners.
- Hot sauce: I have used Frank's Original Hot Sauce, but feel free to use whatever you use regularly in the kitchen.
- Lemon juice: In addition to adding a bright, refreshing flavor.
- Ground black pepper: Freshly crushed black pepper provides an intense flavor.
- Garlic powder: Black pepper and garlic complement each other and work great in this recipe.
How To Make Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings?
- Step 1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for about 3 minutes. Pat the chicken wings thoroughly dry. In a large bowl, combine baking powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Step 2. Add the chicken wings to the seasoning mixture and toss until evenly coated. Arrange them in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding.
- Step 3. Air fry at 400°F for 20-24 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the wings are golden, crispy, and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Step 4. In a large bowl, whisk together honey, hot sauce, lemon juice, and black pepper. Add the hot wings and toss until evenly coated. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
♨️How To Adjust The Heat?
Cayenne pepper (half a teaspoon) and hot sauce (quarter cup) add the heat to these honey-lemon pepper wings.
You can adjust the heat by tweaking the amount of cayenne pepper and hot sauce.
Adjusting the cayenne pepper makes a considerable difference in the spiciness. However, you can choose mild hot sauce varieties.
Storage & Reheating
You can store leftover hot honey lemon pepper wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.
To reheat, air fry the wings at 375°F for about 4-6 minutes, or until heated through and crispy. Toss them with a little extra hot honey sauce before serving, if you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Serve hot honey lemon pepper wings as an appetizer or main dish with jalapeno ranch. Pair with veggies, salads, or coleslaw.
Yes, absolutely! I've used frozen wings for this recipe. However, be sure to thaw them completely to room temperature before cooking.
Absolutely! Grill the wings over medium-high heat for about 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through and crispy.
No. Chicken wings contain enough natural fat to become crispy in the air fryer, so you do not need to add extra oil.
📖 Recipe
Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings (Air Fryer)
Ingredients
For The Wings
- 2 lbs chicken wings halved at joints and wingtips discarded
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper crushed
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
For the Sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup hot sauce
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for about 3 minutes.
- Pat the chicken wings thoroughly dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the baking powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and crushed black pepper. Mix well.
- Add the chicken wings to the bowl and toss until they are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
- Arrange the chicken wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between them. Cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes.
- Flip the chicken wings and continue air frying for another 10-14 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
- Meanwhile, add the honey, hot sauce, lemon juice, and black pepper to a large mixing bowl.
- Whisk the sauce until all the ingredients are well combined.
- Add the hot air-fried chicken wings to the sauce and toss until the wings are evenly coated.
- Serve immediately with spicy ranch or your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!
Notes
- Pat the wings thoroughly dry before seasoning for crispier results.
- Adjust the heat by changing the amount of cayenne pepper and hot sauce.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F for 4-6 minutes, or until hot and crispy.
Excellent! Thank you!!
Thank you, Cyndy, and happy that you liked this recipe!