Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings (Oven-baked recipe)

These honey lemon pepper wings with homemade seasoning are crispy, spicy, and oh-so-citrusy, but light on your wallet and waistline. Ditch the fryer, crave the crunch. Whip up your lemon pepper seasoning in minutes and bake ’em. Toss the golden brown chicken wings with hot honey lemon pepper sauce and get ready for finger-lickin’ good times!

Lemon pepper honey wings garnished with lemon slices and rosemary on a large white plate.

FEATURED COMMENT

5 stars Thank you for the recipe with detailed instructions. My son made it today for his school cooking exam, and it came so perfect that the examiner also appreciated it. My son was so glad. I have to say heartfelt thanks to you for making my son’s day.

MONA

Recipe video

 Fire up the oven, grab some napkins, and get ready to experience crispy wings with delicious honey lemon pepper glaze.

Ingredients

(You can find the exact measurements and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this page.)

The seasoning and the sauce require simple ingredients:

Labelled ingredients for lemon pepper honey wings.
  • Fresh chicken wings
  • Butter: For the honey lemon sauce
  • Olive oil: For baking the wings
  • Honey: For the sauce
  • Fresh lemon juice and zest
  • Corn flour: To bake crispy wings
  • Spices: To season the wings and to spice up the hot honey sauce:
    • Garlic powder
    • Onion powder
    • Cayenne pepper: for the heat
    • Paprika: I use smoked paprika but regular or sweet paprika is also fine.
    • Black pepper and fine sea salt.

Chicken wing parts

In case you didn’t know, chicken wing has three sections:

  • Wing tip: A pointy end with little meat
  • Mid portion: A double-boned “wingette” also called the “flat”
  • Drumette: The meatiest part of the wing

Separate the sections. You can use the wingette and drumette for this recipe.

Quick tip for wing tips

Season with salt and pepper and bake them in the oven with the rest, but in a separate tray. Remove them 10 minutes earlier.

Store/freeze and use them when you make chicken stock. They also taste amazing in 5-ingredient chicken curry. You can also use them in the recipe for lemon coriander chicken soup to make chicken broth.

How to make honey lemon pepper wings

Prepare the wings

Make small cuts on the wings with a sharp knife or a pair of kitchen scissors. Pat them dry.

Make the seasoning

Take corn flour in a bowl. Add cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and sea salt. 

Seasoning ingredients for honey lemon pepper wings in a small white bowl.

Mix everything together to make a dry rub.

Corn flour with seasoning for honey lemon pepper wings in a small white bowl.

Season and bake chicken wings

Preheat the oven to 230°/446°F.

Add the seasoning to the chicken wings and toss. Drizzle olive oil and toss again until all the chicken wings are coated.

Seasoned chicken wings in a large bowl.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the seasoned chicken wings in a single layer.

Seasoned chicken wings arranged in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake in the oven for 30 minutes, flipping once at the 15-minute mark.

Baked crispy chicken wings on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

Make honey lemon pepper sauce

I’ve adapted the sauce from the popular honey garlic lemon pepper chicken thighs recipe.

With variations to suit the crispy chicken wings, of course 🙂

Melt butter in a small saucepan. Add cayenne pepper, black pepper and salt. Stir for a couple of minutes on low flame.

Melted butter with spices in a sauce pan.

Drop in lemon zest, lemon juice and honey.

Honey being added to melted butter with spices in a sauce pan.

Stir and simmer on low heat for a couple of minutes.

Remove from heat when the sauce turns thick and glossy.

Hot honey lemon pepper sauce simmering in a sauce pan.

Toss

Transfer the crispy wings to a large bowl. Drizzle half of the honey lemon pepper sauce on the wings and toss.

Honey lemon pepper sauce being added to baked chicken wings in a large bowl.
Lemon pepper honey wings in a large white bowl.

Add the remaining sauce and toss again until all the chicken wings are coated with the delicious sauce.

Serve the coated chicken wings with fresh lemon slices and optionally, chopped fresh herbs.

Hot honey lemon pepper wings garnished with lemon slices and rosemary on a plate lined with parchment paper.

Recipe tips

Hot honey sauce: If the sauce cools down before the wings are ready, warm it up. This helps the sauce stick to the crispy wings. It also makes the wings glossy 🙂

Butter: Use roasted garlic compound butter instead of regular butter for more flavor.

Preparing the wings is important:

  • Making small cuts in the wings helps them better absorb the seasoning. 
  • Ensure there’s no excess moisture in the chicken wings before seasoning: DRY WINGS=MORE BROWNING.

Storage and making ahead tips

Storing: Lemon pepper honey wings can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps for about 4 to 5 days.

Making ahead (freezing): These wings can also be frozen for a month. It will have the same awesome taste, but there will be a slight change in the texture.

Reheating: They can be reheated in a loosely covered container in the microwave or on a baking tray in the oven.

Leftover wings

Leftover chicken wings can be used in the same way as the wing tips (mentioned above). Boil them with onions, garlic and veggies to make chicken stock.

You can also store them and add when you make varutha chicken curry with coconut or easy pepper chicken masala.

Honey lemon chicken wings garnished with lemon slices and rosemary on a plate lined with parchment paper.

What to serve with lemon pepper honey chicken wings

  1. Purple cabbage slaw: The crispy, refreshing side complements the bold flavors of your crispy wings.
  2. Beet walnut feta salad: This crisp, cool salad provides a refreshing contrast to the heat of those wings.
  3. Baked cheesy smashed potatoes: Crispy, oven-baked smashed potatoes are a match made in heaven with your wings.
  4. Roasted Brussels sprouts and carrots: They’ll add a savory touch to your wing feast.
  5. Refreshing Potato Salad with raisins: This tangy cool salad provides a refreshing contrast to the heat of those chicken wings.

Why you’ll love these lemon pepper honey wings

Crispy wings are a perfect appetizer for game day or any day. There are so many reasons you’ll fall head over heels for these hot honey lemon pepper wings:

  1. Flavor Explosion: The easy homemade lemon pepper seasoning and the sticky sauce bring a zesty punch that’ll have your taste buds dancing.
  2. Crispy Goodness: Who says healthy can’t be crispy? Forget deep frying. These wings are oven-baked to golden perfection— with crispy skin and juicy on the inside.
  3. Guilt-Free Indulgence: Love to snack guilt-free? Unlike most of the saucy chicken wing recipes, these delicious wings are low-calorie and packed with flavor, so you can munch away happily.
  4. Hassle-Free Recipe: It’s easy-peasy like most of my chicken recipes. Throw together the seasoning, coat those wings, pop ’em in the oven—voila! You’re on your way to wing heaven.
  5. Party Perfection: Hosting a gathering? These crispy lemon pepper wings are the star of any party—impress your guests without breaking a sweat.
  6. Versatile Delight: Make double the quantity of the hot honey sauce and use it as a dipping sauce for the crispy chicken wings.
  7. Easy Breezy Oven Magic: Ditch the deep-frying drama and let your oven do the work. This recipe is ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for those weeknight cravings when you need a flavor explosion, not a kitchen meltdown.
  8. Bonus Round: Impress your friends with your homemade seasoning skills and watch them fight over the last wing (don’t worry, there’s always a winner… you!).
Lemon pepper honey wings garnished with lemon slices and rosemary on a large white plate.

Honey Lemon Pepper Wings Recipe

These honey lemon pepper wings with homemade seasoning are crispy, spicy, and oh-so-citrusy, but light on your wallet and waistline. Whip up your lemon pepper seasoning in minutes and bake. Toss the golden brown chicken wings with hot honey lemon pepper sauce and get ready for finger-lickin' good times!
Author: Sheeba
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Appetizer, Party food
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 432.7 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds (900 grams) chicken wings

Seasoning

Honey lemon pepper sauce

  • tablespoons butter
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons honey

STEP BY STEP IMAGES

Scroll back to find detailed recipe photos!

Instructions
 

Prepare chicken wings

  • Rinse 2 pounds (900 grams) chicken wings. Pat them dry with kitchen towels.
  • Make small cuts on the wings with a sharp knife or a pair of kitchen scissors.

Make the seasoning

  • Take 2 tablespoons corn flour in a small bowl.
  • Add 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper and 1 teaspoon fine sea salt.
  • Mix everything together to make a dry rub.

Season and bake the wings

  • Preheat the oven to 230°/446°F.
  • Add the seasoning to the wings and toss.
  • Drizzle 1½ tablespoons olive oil and toss again until all the chicken wings are coated.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the seasoned chicken wings in a single layer.
  • Bake in the oven for 30 minutes, flipping once at the 15-minute mark.

Make honey lemon pepper sauce

  • Melt 1½ tablespoons butter in a small saucepan.
  • Add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon black pepper and ½ teaspoon fine sea salt.
    Stir for a couple of minutes on low flame.
  • Drop in 2 teaspoons lemon zest, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 2 tablespoons honey.
  • Stir and simmer on low heat for a couple of minutes.
  • Remove from heat when the sauce turns thick and glossy.

Toss

  • Transfer the crispy wings to a large bowl.
  • Drizzle half of the honey lemon pepper sauce on the wings and toss.
  • Add the remaining sauce and toss again until all the chicken wings are coated with the delicious sauce.
  • Serve the coated chicken wings with fresh lemon slices.
    Optionally, you can sprinkle chopped fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary.

Video

Notes

  • Storing: Lemon pepper honey wings can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It keeps for about 4 to 5 days.
  • Making ahead (freezing): These wings can also be frozen for a month. It will have the same awesome taste, but there will be a slight change in the texture.
  • Reheating: They can be reheated in a loosely covered container in the microwave or on a baking tray in the oven.
  • For more tips and tricks, see the post above.
Nutrition Facts
Honey Lemon Pepper Wings Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
432.7
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
30.8
g
47
%
Saturated Fat
 
9.1
g
57
%
Trans Fat
 
0.4
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
5.7
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
12.9
g
Cholesterol
 
123.9
mg
41
%
Sodium
 
716.6
mg
31
%
Potassium
 
300.7
mg
9
%
Carbohydrates
 
10
g
3
%
Fiber
 
0.9
g
4
%
Sugar
 
6.1
g
7
%
Protein
 
28.4
g
57
%
Vitamin A
 
849.5
IU
17
%
Vitamin C
 
3.5
mg
4
%
Calcium
 
31.8
mg
3
%
Iron
 
1.8
mg
10
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

★★★★★Did you try this recipe? Please give a star rating in the comments below ★★★★★

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Join over 1000 home cooks like you who subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get all the latest recipes right in your inbox. Or follow me on your favorite social media: Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube. Thank you and happy cooking!

Author profile photo

Hi! I’m Sheeba, welcome to Go Healthy ever after!

I have a passion for cooking delicious nourishing food that’s easy to cook with fresh natural ingredients free from additives or preservatives. The easy healthy recipes you find here will inspire you to cook with creativity.

4 thoughts on “Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings (Oven-baked recipe)”

  1. Hello Sheeba,

    Thank you for the recipe with detailed instructions. My son made it today for his school cooking exam, and it came so perfect that the examiner also appreciated it. My son was so glad. I have to say heartfelt thanks to you for making my son’s day xx

4 from 1 vote

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.