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Up close shot of lemon pepper buffalo chicken wings on a white plate with dipping sauce and lemons.
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5 from 7 votes

Crispy Lemon Pepper Buffalo Wings

These spicy, savory and crispy Lemon Pepper Buffalo Wings are the perfect handheld food for any occasion, especially during gatherings and BBQs.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Keyword: air-fryer, appetizer, buffalo, chicken, chicken wings, dairy-free, dinner, family-friendly, gluten-free, kid-friendly, lemon pepper, snack, summer
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 475kcal
Author: Shanika

Ingredients

CHICKEN WINGS:

  • 2 ½ lbs. organic chicken wings, disjointed
  • 2 Tbsps lemon pepper seasoning, homemade or store-bought
  • ¼ cup cornstarch (See Post for alternatives)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

SAUCE:

  • 2 Tbsps unsalted butter
  • 1 ½ cups buffalo wing sauce, premium
  • 2 Tbsps pure maple syrup or raw honey
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes

OPTIONAL GARNISH:

  • Lemon wedges
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

MARINATE THE CHICKEN WINGS:

  • In a large bowl, add your freshly cleaned + rinsed chicken wings along with the lemon pepper seasoning, smoked paprika, and cornstarch, mixing everything together until chicken is fully coated. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes. NOTE: For best results, it's best to marinate chicken overnight in the refrigerator or for up to 2 days.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper and a wire rack for the best crispy results. NOTE: be sure to generously spray the wire rack to ensure that wings don't stick.

BAKE THE CHICKEN:

  • Lay each chicken wing side by side onto the baking sheet (about an inch apart). Repeat until all chicken wings are assembled. Bake chicken wings for 25-30 minutes or until crispy and golden.

WHIP TOGETHER THE SAUCE + TOSS WINGS:

  • In a medium skillet (10-inch) over medium-high heat, add the butter and let it melt. Then add in the buffalo sauce, the sweetener, garlic powder, parsley, and red pepper flakes, and whisk everything together until it begins to boil. Reduce heat to low-medium and let everything simmer for another 2-3 minutes or so, stirring occasionally. Add in the crispy chicken wings and toss them until coated.
  • Remove from heat and serve immediately with your favorite side or dipping sauce.
  • Bon Appetit!

Notes

  • STORAGE: Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit or microwave when ready to serve.
  • GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: To make these wings GF, just ensure that all sauce ingredients are GF-friendly and the best alternative to cornstarch is arrowroot starch or Gf flour. 
  • DAIRY-FREE OPTION: To make these wings dairy-free, simply ensure that the buffalo sauce is dairy-free (Noble Made has a great option) and substitute the butter with vegan butter. 
  • LEMON PEPPER SEASONING (HOMEMADE): To make your own blend of Lemon Pepper Seasoning, see my recipe!
  • TIPS FOR CRISPY WINGS: See the post for all tips for making the most crispiest chicken wings.

Nutrition

Calories: 475kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 156mg | Sodium: 139mg | Potassium: 307mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.04g | Vitamin A: 559IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 2mg