Copycat Hooters Lemon Pepper Wings
Description
Crispy air fryer naked wings tossed in a bright, peppery lemon pepper dry rub — a spot-on copycat of the Hooters classic, ready in 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Wings
- 2 lbs chicken wings, split into flats and drumettes
- 1 tablespoon baking powder, aluminum-free
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Lemon Pepper Rub
- 2 tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest, about 2 lemons
- 1 teaspoon citric acid, or 1 tsp extra fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Prep. Pat the wings completely dry. Toss with baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt until evenly coated.
- Air fry. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 380°F for 12 minutes. Flip, raise to 400°F, and cook 8–10 minutes more, until deeply golden and crisp (165°F internal).
- Make the rub. While the wings cook, stir together the black pepper, lemon zest, citric acid, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Toss. Toss the hot wings in melted butter, then add the lemon pepper seasoning and toss again until coated.
- Serve. Finish with an extra sprinkle of lemon zest and serve immediately.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Microplane or zester
Notes
- For the crispiest skin, pat the wings as dry as possible and don't crowd the basket — cook in batches if needed.
- Season after cooking, not before, so the rub sticks and the lemon stays bright.
- For "lemon pepper wet," toss in an extra tablespoon of melted butter with the rub.
- Oven method: bake at 425°F on a wire rack for 40–45 minutes, flipping once.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 369kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 23gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 117mgSodium: 1349mgPotassium: 275mgFiber: 2gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 471IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 220mgIron: 2mg