This honey-glazed recipe for lemon pepper wings is perfect to serve at your next get-together. The crispy baked wings are coated in a zesty lemon pepper seasoning and then tossed in a rich, sweet honey glaze that adds just the right amount of balance.
Whether it’s a game night, a casual dinner, or a special occasion, these wings sweet and tart wings will have everyone reaching for seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crispy & Baked: No deep frying needed! A simple cornstarch coating ensures perfectly crispy wings straight from the oven.
Sweet & Tangy Flavor: The combination of lemon pepper seasoning and honey glaze creates an irresistible balance.
Perfect for Entertaining: These wings are easy to make and serve a crowd with minimal effort.
Simple Ingredients: No complicated or hard-to-find ingredients, just pantry staples that come together beautifully.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep ahead for stress-free hosting!
Ingredients List
Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Chicken Wings: Use a mix of drumettes and flats for the best texture. Pat them dry to help them crisp up in the oven. Learn How To Cut Chicken Wings: Step-By-Step Guide & Tips for easier prep.
- Cornstarch: A secret weapon for crispy wings! It absorbs moisture, creating a light, crunchy coating.
- Olive Oil: Helps distribute the seasoning evenly and enhances crispiness.
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning: The star of the dish! If using store-bought, check for added salt to avoid an overly salty flavor. If you enjoy lemon pepper seasonings when cooking be sure to try my Lemon Pepper Marinade when grilling.
- Lemon Zest: Adds fresh, bright citrus notes that intensify the lemon flavor.
- Garlic: Gives the wings a savory depth of flavor.
- Butter: Forms the base of the honey glaze, adding a rich, buttery texture.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Enhances the glaze with a pop of acidity.
- Honey: Brings a natural sweetness that complements the zesty lemon and savory seasoning.
Before You Get Started
Pat the wings dry: This is key for getting crispy skin in the oven.
Zest the lemon before juicing: It’s much easier to zest a whole lemon than a squeezed one!
Use a wire rack: This allows hot air to circulate around the wings, making them extra crispy.
Crispy Wings: Don’t skip the cornstarch, which helps absorb moisture, resulting in a light, crispy texture. Also, for extra crispiness, broil them for a few minutes after adding the honey glaze.
How to Make Honey-Glazed Lemon Pepper Wings
Prep and Season the Wings
In a large bowl, toss the wings with cornstarch to coat evenly. Add olive oil, lemon pepper seasoning, lemon zest, garlic, salt, and black pepper, mixing well until the wings are fully coated.
Bake Until Crispy
Arrange the wings in a single layer on the wire rack. Bake for 20 minutes, flip, and bake for another 15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
Make the Honey Glaze & Serve
While the wings bake, whisk together melted butter, fresh lemon juice, and honey in a small bowl.
Once the wings are done, transfer them to a bowl and drizzle the honey glaze over the top. Toss to coat evenly. For extra crispiness, return the wings to the baking sheet and broil for 1 minute per side. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
Storage & Reheating
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Freeze baked wings on a tray before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. Store for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Crispy Guide For How to Reheat Wings in an Air Fryer will help restore their crunchiness. You can also reheat in an oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes.
Make-Ahead Tip: Bake the wings ahead of time and store them, then reheat and glaze before serving.
Biblical Hospitality Reflection
Hosting a crowd doesn’t have to be stressful when we focus on serving rather than entertaining. These honey-glazed lemon pepper wings are a simple yet flavorful way to bring people together, making hosting easy and enjoyable. Tips For Hosting A Dinner Party: What Are Good Conversation Starters? will help you create an inviting atmosphere.
Prep ahead by seasoning the wings early, making the glaze in advance, and setting up a self-serve wing station, making your tasks easier when the company arrives. Who do you know that would enjoy coming over for wings?
Do you have a question about the recipe? Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!
Honey-Glazed Lemon Pepper Wings Recipe
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
You can add any recipe from Intentional Hospitality to your shopping list to plan a full menu!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken wings, drumettes & flats about 12 pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 ½ teaspoons lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice, fresh
- 2 tablespoons honey
- fresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Prep
- Trim any excess fat or skin from the wings. Remove any pin feathers and then pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels.1 ½ pounds chicken wings
- Preheat the oven to to 425°F
Coat and Season the Wings
- Place the wings in a large bowl and sprinkle on the cornstarch, tossing to coat all the wings well.2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Toss wings with olive oil, lemon pepper, lemon zest, and garlic. Be sure they are completely coated with the seasonings.1/2 tablespoon olive oil, 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning, 1 ½ teaspoons lemon zest, 1 teaspoon garlic
Bake
- Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and place a wire rack on top. Spray the rack with cooking spray.
- Arrange wings in a single layer and bake for 20 minutes.
- Flip the wings and bake for another 15 minutes or until crispy.
- While the wings are cooking mix melted butter, lemon juice and honey. Set a side.1 tablespoon butter, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons honey
Sauce Wings and Serve
- When the wings are done cooking, remove the wings to a bowl and drizzle the honey sauce over the wings and toss.
- Season with extra pepper and salt to taste.1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Note, if you want extra crispiness return the wings to the baking pan broil for 1 minute per side.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.fresh parsley
Notes
Use a wire rack: This allows hot air to circulate around the wings, making them extra crispy. Crispy Wings: Don’t skip the cornstarch, which helps absorb moisture, resulting in a light, crispy texture. Also, for extra crispiness, broil them for a few minutes after adding the honey glaze. Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freezing: Freeze baked wings on a tray before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. Store for up to 2 months. Reheating: Reheat in an oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes or in an air fryer for 5 minutes to restore crispiness. Make-Ahead Tip: Bake the wings ahead of time and store them, then reheat and glaze before serving.
