introduction
This is a simple and tasty recipe for Honey Lemon Pepper Wings. The wings are crisp on the outside and sticky with a bright, tangy sauce. You can make them in the oven with little fuss. For a different lemon twist, see a related lemon garlic parmesan cod recipe.
why make this recipe
You should make these wings because they cook in one pan, use few ingredients, and taste fresh and sweet with a peppery kick. They are great for weeknights or a small party. The sauce is quick to make and sticks to the wings well.
how to make Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
This method gives crisp skin and a glossy sauce. First you dry and coat the wings with potato starch and spices. Roast them at high heat until crisp. While the wings cook, simmer honey, lemon, garlic, butter, salt, and pepper to make the sauce. Toss the hot wings in the sauce so it clings to the skin.
Ingredients :
- 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
- ½ cup honey
- 1 lemon zested
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1-2 teaspoons ground pepper
- 1 pinch salt
Directions :
- Heat the oven to 450°F. Pat dry the chicken wings with a paper towel if they are moist.
- Add the potato starch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to the chicken wings. Toss to coat the chicken wings.
- Lightly spray some oil onto a parchment-lined sheet pan, then transfer the chicken wings to the sheet pan in a single layer. Spray the tops of the chicken with some more oil.
- Decrease the oven temperature to 425°F and bake the chicken wings for 35 to 40 minutes, flipping them at the halfway mark and spraying more oil on the tops.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, add the honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, butter, salt, and pepper. Stir and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until well combined. Set aside a small portion to dip the wings in, if desired.
- Once the wings are done, transfer them to a bowl and toss to coat with the honey lemon pepper sauce.

how to serve Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
Serve the wings hot. Put extra sauce in a small bowl for dipping. Add lemon wedges on the side and a sprinkle of extra ground pepper or chopped parsley. These wings go well with simple sides like celery sticks, carrot sticks, or a green salad.
how to store Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
Let the wings cool to room temperature. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, spread them on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes to crisp the skin. You can freeze cooked wings up to 2 months; thaw in the fridge before reheating.
tips to make Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
- Dry the wings well before coating. This helps them get crisp.
- Use potato starch and baking powder for crunch.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Give wings space so air can circulate. See another quick lemon recipe like lemon garlic parmesan cod recipe for a bright side idea.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a teaspoon of warm water to thin it.
- Reserve a little sauce before tossing if you want extra for dipping.
- For more crisping, broil 1–2 minutes at the end, watching carefully.
variation (if any)
- Spicy: Add 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 1–2 teaspoons hot sauce to the honey sauce.
- Herb lemon: Stir 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or rosemary into the sauce.
- Sticky sesame: Add 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil to the sauce for an Asian twist.
FAQs
Q: Can I use drumettes instead of whole wings?
A: Yes. Drumettes or wingettes work the same. Adjust cook time if pieces are much larger or smaller.
Q: Can I make the sauce ahead?
A: Yes. Make the sauce and keep it in the fridge up to 3 days. Warm gently before tossing with hot wings.
Q: Can I bake the wings from frozen?
A: It’s better to thaw first. If baking from frozen, add extra time and check doneness. The skin may not get as crisp.
Q: Is there a substitute for potato starch?
A: You can use cornstarch, but potato starch gives the best crisp in this recipe.
Q: How do I make less sweet sauce?
A: Reduce honey to 1/3 cup and add a bit more lemon juice to balance sweetness.
Conclusion
Try these Honey Lemon Pepper Wings for a quick, bright, and sticky snack. For another take on lemony flavor in a simple dish, check out this guide: Honey Lemon Pepper Wings – Zesty and Sticky!
Print
Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
A simple and tasty recipe for crispy Honey Lemon Pepper Wings coated in a bright, tangy sauce.
Ingredients
- 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
- ½ cup honey
- 1 lemon zested
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1–2 teaspoons ground pepper
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 450°F. Pat dry the chicken wings with a paper towel if they are moist.
- Add the potato starch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to the chicken wings. Toss to coat.
- Lightly spray oil onto a parchment-lined sheet pan, then transfer the wings to the pan in a single layer and spray the tops with more oil.
- Decrease the oven to 425°F and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, flipping halfway and spraying more oil on top.
- Meanwhile, in a saucepan over medium heat, combine the honey, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, butter, salt, and pepper. Stir and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until well combined.
- Once the wings are done, transfer to a bowl and toss to coat with the sauce.
Notes
For extra crispiness, broil the wings for 1-2 minutes after baking and watch carefully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: honey lemon wings, crispy wings, party appetizer, baked chicken wings, easy chicken recipe