Oven Baked Real Lemon Pepper Wings
Lemon Pepper wings are so good. However, almost all recipes out there (and "restaurant" wings) use a pre-made dry rub. Unfortunately, while a bit easier, they have food dye and anti-caking agents. This recipe is not much more involved, but yields a far superior result. Start with organic, air-chilled wings. I season them with, salt, lots of fresh cracked black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. I use some baking powder in the dry rub because it helps draw the moisture out of the wings and renders a crispy skin without frying. Because I use the zest and juice of the lemon, I always make it a point to use organic. The sauce contains butter (because it makes everything better), lemon zest, lemon juice, Louisiana Hot Sauce (undisputed queen), organic honey (for balance), and lots of FRESHLY cracked black pepper. Don't use the pre ground stuff. If you buy whole peppercorns and a pepper mill it's actually cheaper and much better! Finish with some chives or scallions for some color and greenery and it'll be "just right."
Equipment
- large bowl
- sheet pan
- aluminum foil
- wire rack https://amzn.to/3SZVK4i **
- tongs
- small sauce pot
Ingredients
Wings
- 3 lbs organic air chilled wings
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt https://amzn.to/3Sa6PAV **
- 1 1/2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper https://amzn.to/3RoH0wh **
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbs organic avocado oil
Sauce
- 4 tbs organic unsalted butter
- 2 tsp organic honey
- 1 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 1/2 tbs lemon juice
- 1 tsp hot sauce https://amzn.to/4avoSYg **
- 1/2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper https://amzn.to/3RoH0wh **
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Pre heat the oven to 450℉. Pat dry the wings really well.
- Place the foil on top of the sheet pan and place the wire rack on top.
- In a large bowl, combine the wings, avocado oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and baking powder. Mix well to combine.
- Place the wings skin side up on the wire rack. Don't crowd the pan / rack. There should be a little space between each wing to allow the air to circulate. Use an additional pan / rack if needed. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Flip the wings and bake for another 20 minutes. Flip and bake for another 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile in a small sauce pan melt the butter on low heat. Add the cracked black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, hot sauce and honey. Stir to combine and cook for a few minutes until the honey has dissolved and you smell the spices. Turn the heat off, add the sauce to the bowl. Add the lemon zest and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
- Once the wings have finished cooking, remove from the oven and add to the bowl and coat the wings with the sauce. Garnish with chives or scallions.
Notes
** Amazon affiliate- I may receive compensation.