Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings

These crispy air fryer chicken wings are tossed with melted butter, fresh lemon zest, garlic, and plenty of black pepper for a bright, savory game-day appetizer.

Prep: 15 min · Cook: 25 min · Yield: 4 · Method: Air Fryer

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chicken wings
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley

Cooking instructions

1. Pat the chicken wings very dry with paper towels. If using whole wings, separate them at the joints and discard the tips or save them for stock. (about 5 min)
2. In a large bowl, combine the baking powder, kosher salt, 1 teaspoon of the black pepper, and garlic powder. Add the wings and toss until evenly coated. (about 3 min)
3. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. Arrange the wings in a single layer, leaving space between pieces; cook in batches if needed. (about 3 min) — 400°F
4. Air-fry the wings for 20 to 25 minutes, turning them halfway through, until deeply browned and crisp. The thickest pieces should reach at least 165°F internally; for especially crisp wings, cook until they reach about 175°F. (about 25 min) — 400°F
5. While the wings cook, melt the butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. (about 2 min)
6. Transfer the hot wings to a clean bowl, pour over the lemon-pepper butter, and toss to coat. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately. (about 2 min)