Lemon Pepper Honey Wings (Crispy Oven-Baked Recipe)

These lemon pepper honey wings take the classic appetizer to an entirely new level. Tender, meaty, crispy chicken wings are seasoned with lemon pepper and spices, then slathered in a sweet, citrusy honey-lemon sauce for the ultimate wing experience, making these a naturally gluten- and dairy-free recipe.

These baked honey lemon pepper wings are the perfect option when serving up food for the big game or when you just want a small bite amongst friends. They are crispy baked wings and always loaded with flavor that's easy to customize, so everyone can get what they want.

If you like wings, make sure to check out my Oven Baked Whole Chicken Wings and Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings!

Although I love baking, I'm also a big fan of savory dishes, especially bold appetizers like this Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken. These zesty lemon pepper honey wings are some of my favorites to make, and I love serving them at parties with my Springer Mountain Chicken Meatballs or Burger Skewer Recipe for a punch of flavor.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Limited Ingredients: This recipe uses simple ingredients you can find anywhere.
• Great for Parties: These wings are the classic party food for any event, from backyard gatherings to big game bashes.
• Classic Flavor: Lemon pepper and honey are a classic, tangy, and sweet combination that makes a flavor explosion in every bite.
• Easy: This recipe is so easy that even beginners will have no problem!
• Better than takeout: Skip the fast food and make these homemade honey lemon pepper wings instead. They are cheaper, and you will have full control over the quality of ingredients used. Using healthier ingredients makes these a much lower-calorie option.
• Crispy and Sticky: The skin is crispy, and the honey lemon pepper sauce is sweet, sticky, and glossy.
• Great for Meal Prep: These crispy honey lemon pepper wings are freezer-friendly and great for meal prep.

Key Ingredients

See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact quantities.

• Springer Mountain Farms chicken wings: They're juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and the perfect vehicle for all that flavor-packed seasoning and glaze. I prefer Springer Mountain Farms because they never use hormones or antibiotics, and they're certified humane.
• Baking Powder: The secret to extra crispy baked chicken wings. It helps dry out the skin and creates that crunchy, golden-brown texture in the oven.
• Honey: Adds sweetness, creates a sticky glaze, and balances the savory seasonings.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens the sauce and cuts through the richness of the wings and honey, giving the glaze a fresh, tangy kick.
• Sweet Smoked Paprika: Adds smoky flavor, beautiful color, and a subtle sweetness that complements the honey glaze.
• Lemon Pepper Seasoning: Brings a bold citrusy, peppery flavor that pairs perfectly with both the honey and lemon.
• Garlic Herb Seasoning: Adds savory depth to the glaze and rounds out the sweet and tangy flavors.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the honey sauce, helping it cling well to the wings. Always use cornstarch, not flour, for sauces and glazes like this.

Flavor Variations

• Swap the Sauce: Use Buffalo sauce for Honey Buffalo Wings or sweet chili sauce for zippy Gluten Free Chicken Wings.
• Lemon Pepper Molasses Wings: Use molasses instead of honey for a richer, bolder flavor.
• Use Different Cuts of Chicken: You can make this recipe for dinner using chicken drumsticks or thighs. Just adjust the baking time.
• Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne for a spicy honey lemon pepper wings recipe.
• Extra Crispy: Broil the wings after baking for an extra-crispy, caramelized finish.

How to Make Lemon Pepper Honey Wings

Step 1: Prep the wings. Then, toss them with the baking powder and wing seasonings.

Step 2: Place the wings on a baking rack over a baking sheet and bake until crispy on all sides and the internal temperature is 165°F.

Step 3: Combine the honey lemon pepper wing sauce ingredients. Add the cornstarch slurry and simmer until slightly thickened.

Step 4: Coat the wings in the sauce and transfer them to a wire rack, letting the glaze set. Brush with additional glaze, garnish with fresh parsley, and enjoy!

Expert Tips

• To ensure even distribution of your spices, mix them in a bowl before tossing them with the wings.
• For more flavor, brush the wings with any remaining sauce with a pastry brush right before serving.
• Bake the wings on a wire rack if possible. This allows the heat and air to circulate around every part of them for the crispiest finish.
• Pat your wings dry thoroughly before tossing them with the seasoning. This ensures the crispiest wings possible.
• Combine any leftover sauce with plain Greek yogurt to make a rich dipping sauce.
• The easiest way to coat the wings is to add a couple of them directly to the saucepan. Then, just remove them with tongs, give them a little shake, and place them on your rack.
• Thoroughly wash your hands and all surfaces after handling chicken to avoid cross-contamination.

Lemon Pepper Honey Wings FAQ's

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📖 Recipe

Lemon Pepper Honey Wings

1x2x3x

These lemon pepper honey wings are juicy, crispy, and full of lemon pepper honey flavor.

4.96 from 42 votes

Nicole Kendrick

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

1x2x3x

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, dinner, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 360 kcal

Equipment

• ▢
  Measuring cups
• ▢
  Measuring spoons
• ▢
  Kitchen shears
• ▢
  Baking Sheet
• ▢
  Foil
• ▢
  Mixing Bowl
• ▢
  Saucepan
• ▢
  Wire baking rack

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 8 Springer Mountain Farms chicken wings cut in half
• ▢ 1 ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• ▢ ¾ teaspoon OliveNation sweet smoked paprika
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon pepper
• ▢ 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
• ▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon thyme

For the Honey Sauce

• ▢ ½ cup honey plus 2 tbsp
• ▢ ⅓ cup lemon juice
• ▢ 1 tbsp garlic herb seasoning
• ▢ 1 tsp pepper
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ▢ 2 tablespoon water
• ▢ Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 420 degrees. Then, line a baking pan with foil and place a baking rack on top.
• Wash the chicken wings and pat them dry.
• Cut the wings at the joint with a sharp knife or kitchen shears.
• In a large bowl, combine the wings, baking powder, paprika, salt, pepper, lemon pepper, thyme, and onion powder and stir to coat the wings evenly.
• Place the wings on the baking rack, leaving space between each wing to ensure they get crispy on all sides. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes until their internal temperature is 165 degrees. Make the sauce while the wings cook.
• In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the honey, lemon juice, garlic herb seasoning, pepper, and salt. Stir. Mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry, and add it to the honey mixture.
• Simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
• Dip 2 wings at a time into the honey sauce in the saucepan and transfer them to the wire rack. Repeat until all the wings are coated.
• Let the wings rest for 5 minutes so the glaze can set.
• Garnish the wings with fresh parsley and serve. You can also brush any remaining sauce on the wings just before serving.

Notes

Storage

• Refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container. 
• Freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. 
• Microwave individual portions at 1-minute intervals until heated through. 

Tips

• Rinse the wings in a colander with a gentle stream of water to avoid as much splashing as possible. 
• Wash the counters and sink immediately after rinsing the wings. 
• Be sure your wings are as dry as possible to ensure nice, crispy wings. 

Nutrition

Calories: 360kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 18gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 695mgPotassium: 220mgFiber: 1gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 339IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 126mgIron: 2mg

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