Wingstop Lemon Pepper Wings (Air Fryer or Oven)
Description
Crispy copycat Wingstop lemon pepper wings tossed in a buttery lemon-pepper baste — exactly like the restaurant version. Made in the air fryer or oven in about 30 minutes, no deep-frying required.
Ingredients
- 2 lb chicken wings, party-cut (drumettes and flats)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 tsp fresh lemon zest, optional, for garnish
Instructions
Instructions — Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3–5 minutes.
- Pat the chicken wings completely dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt until evenly coated.
- Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not crowd. Cook for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until deep golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While the wings cook, whisk the melted butter and lemon pepper seasoning together in a small bowl.
- Transfer the hot wings to a large mixing bowl. Pour the lemon pepper butter over the top and toss until every wing is fully coated.
- Sprinkle with fresh lemon zest if using. Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese.
Instructions — Oven
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and set a wire rack on top; lightly oil the rack.
- Pat the wings dry and toss with olive oil, garlic powder, and salt. Arrange in a single layer on the wire rack with space between each wing.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, flipping at the 20-minute mark, until the skin is crisp and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Whisk the melted butter and lemon pepper seasoning together. Toss the hot wings in the mixture until fully coated.
- Garnish with lemon zest and serve immediately.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Notes
- Drying the wings is the single most important step for crispy skin. For best results, pat dry and let them rest uncovered on a wire rack in the fridge for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Cook in batches if your air fryer can't fit all the wings in a single layer.
- For "lemon pepper wet" (Atlanta-style), whisk 1 tablespoon of hot sauce into the lemon pepper butter.
- Pick a lemon pepper seasoning where lemon peel appears before salt on the ingredient label — it makes a noticeable difference.
- Leftovers reheat best in the air fryer at 375°F for 4–6 minutes.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 363kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 23gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 382mgPotassium: 242mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 372IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 2mg