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Home » Recipes » Sides & Appetizers

Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings

By Lauren | Updated: Feb 5, 2024 | Published: Jul 11, 2023 | Leave a Comment

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Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings are baked at high heat for 45 minutes, rendering the excess fat, for the crispiest, lemony, sweet, and spicy wings.

They are covered in a lemon black pepper dry rub, baked, and drizzled in a hot honey sauce made with Frank's Red Hot, butter, and honey.

Hot Honey Lemon Pepper wings stacked on top of each other on a black plate with dipping sauce.

These Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings are prepped overnight, tossed in lemon zest, black pepper, and baking powder for extra crispy wings. They can, however, be made the day of in a pinch.

Because they are baked in a dry rub and then tossed in a hot honey sauce after they are fully baked, they are a great family-friendly option. For those who do not like a spicy hot honey, the sauce can be left off, and they can enjoy the crispy lemon pepper wings.

We make these crispy chicken wings year round, but they are the perfect appetizer for game day, just like these Crispy Cheesesteak Wraps or Cajun Chicken Wraps.

🔎 Recipe Development

If you’ve had wings with hot honey lemon pepper sauce at a place like Buffalo Wild Wings, or seen it on the menu and wanted to try it, you can be sure that these are better (I recently tried them side by side). Because you are making them at home, they are much crispier and fresher than the restaurant version.

  • Chicken Wings: I've made these with chicken wings from all different grocery stores and in different parts of the country. The best results always come from using meatier wings.
    • When buying wings at the store, check to make sure that the drumettes are separated from the middle flat segment, if possible. This will simplify the work that you need to do in the kitchen.
    • I have found good, high-quality, meaty wings at regular grocery stores. While I love Trader Joe's, they did not have the best wings in my experience.
  • Baking vs. Frying: Baking the chicken wings at a high temperature (450℉) for a long time (45 minutes), renders the excess fat. This creates extra crispy wings. This is quite a bit different than frying, where the cooking time is relatively short and the excess fat is left on the wings. Baking also helps to avoid frying in vegetable oil.
  • Hot Sauce: Buffalo wings or chicken wings are classically coated in Frank’s Red Hot Sauce, usually with a whole lot of butter too. To not stray too far from a classic, I use Frank’s Red Hot Sauce with honey and butter. But, I keep the proportion of butter low, so as not to thin out the sauce and to give a stronger honey flavor.

🍋 Lemon Pepper

There are two ways you can create a lemon pepper dry rub.

  • Fresh Lemon Zest and Black Pepper: Using the zest of a lemon and freshly cracked black pepper provides a brighter lemon flavor. You’re also avoiding using any extra processed ingredients. Sometimes spice mixes include anti-caking agents or preservatives that you don’t need to worry about if you’re using lemon zest from a fresh lemon or freshly cracked black peppercorns.
  • Lemon Pepper Seasoning: Lemon Pepper spice can be found at many grocery stores or at a Super Target. It's a quicker and easier approach to the recipe. Use 1 teaspoon lemon pepper instead of the zest and black pepper.

If you want an even stronger lemon flavor, add the zest of an additional lemon or extra lemon pepper. Feel free to adjust the spice level to your taste preferences.

🛒 Ingredients

Below are the simple ingredients needed to make these Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings, including the dry rub ingredients and hot honey sauce.

Ingredients for hot honey lemon pepper wings on a marble background.
  • Chicken wings: Choose meaty wings where the drummettes are separated from the middle flat segment, if possible. Otherwise, use a sharp knife to separate them.
  • Lemon Zest: Zest only the outermost bright lemon part of the lemon using the smallest side of a box grater or a zester. Lemon pepper dry rub, which you can find in the spice section at the grocery store, can be used as a substitute for lemon zest and black pepper.
  • Black pepper: I use freshly cracked black pepper.
  • Baking Powder: Creates crispy wings.
  • Frank's Red Hot: A classic hot sauce that can be found at most grocery stores, but other brands will work too.
  • Butter: Adds a savory element. I use salted butter rather than unsalted butter.
  • Honey: Adds sweetness. Use regular honey, or whatever kind is your favorite.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

📝 How to Make Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings

Below are the step-by-step instructions and photos for how to make Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings.

Note: The recipe card with instructions, ingredient list, and quantities is included further below these step-by-step photos.

Raw chicken wings covered in a dry lemon pepper rub in a large white bowl.

Step 1. Chicken Wing Prep: Place the chicken wings in a large mixing bowl, add the lemon zest, black pepper (or substitute lemon pepper for lemon zest and black pepper), and baking powder. Mix to combine. Cover the bowl in plastic wrap and place in the fridge overnight.

Wings before being baked and wings after being baked for 15 minutes.

Step 2. Prep and Baking Round 1: The following day, preheat the oven to 450℉. Place the wings in a single layer on a sheet pan. Bake for 15 minutes.

Wings after being baked for 30 minutes and wings after being baked for 45 minutes.

Step 3. Baking Rounds 2 and 3: Using tongs or a thin, stiff spatula, scrape and flip over each of the wings on the baking sheet. Bake for another 15 minutes.

Flip the wings again, then bake for a final 15 minutes or until golden brown, for a total baking time of 45 minutes.

Tip: If the wings are not golden brown with crispy skin at the end of the 45 minutes, you may need to bake them longer, particularly if they are larger, meatier wings.

Hot honey sauce in a bowl and a bowl with wings tossed in the hot honey sauce.

Step 4. Hot Honey Sauce: While the wings are baking in the oven, prepare the sauce. Place the Frank's Red Hot, butter, and honey in a small bowl or medium-sized microwavable bowl (no need to get out a small saucepan). Microwave for 30 seconds or until the butter is melted. Stir to combine.

Step 5. Serving: When the wings are out of the oven, place them in a large bowl. Drizzle with sauce and toss to coat the wings evenly. Or serve plain with the sauce on the side for dipping. Serve while hot.

Hoy Honey Lemon Pepper wings stacked on top of each other on a black plate with dipping sauce.

🍯 Tips for Baking Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings

  • Overnight Prep: Prepping the wings the night before (with only 10 minutes of prep time) is helpful for crispy wings, but they can be made the day of if you run short on time.
  • Adjust the Baking Time: The baking time below is for average-sized chicken wings. Meatier wings will take longer in the oven, and smaller ones will take less time. Keep an eye on the wings and take them out when they are quite crispy.
  • Do Not Crowd the Pan: The more crowded the pan, the less likely the wings will get crispy.
  • Metal Spatula or Tongs: Use a thin metal spatula or a pair of tongs to scrape the wings and flip them over between baking.
  • Lemon Pepper: Use real lemon zest and freshly cracked pepper for best results, but using the premade Lemon Pepper Spice, which can be found in the spice section of many grocery stores, can certainly save time and energy.

🍽️ Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings Serving Suggestions

  • Classic Appetizer: Serve with ranch or blue cheese along with crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery with plenty of paper towels or wet wipes for the sticky sauce.
  • Main Dish: Make these for dinner with brown rice and lightly sautéed peppers. It’ll turn chicken wings into a well-rounded dinner, especially when served with a simple salad.
  • Leftovers: Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.

Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings FAQs

How do you make wings crispy?

To make wings crispy, coat them in baking powder and refrigerate overnight. Then bake for 45 minutes, turning twice at high heat. This renders the fat, leaving you with extra crispy wings without frying.

Should I use lemon zest, lemon pepper, or lemon juice for the lemon pepper flavor?

I recommend using lemon zest rather than lemon juice or lemon pepper. Lemon pepper spice can include preservatives, anti-caking agents, or other added ingredients. Lemon juice adds a sourness that you can avoid by using lemon zest, which is sweet and not sour.

Are there alternative methods to frying for a healthier version of these wings?

Rather than frying, these wings are made in the oven. With this method, you get very crispy wings but avoid frying or oil.

What's the recommended cooking time and temperature for hot honey lemon pepper wings?

Bake at 450°F for 45 minutes, flipping the wings over and placing them back in the oven in 15 minute intervals.

💖 For More Dinner Recipes You May Love:

  • Sheet pan with several pieces of crispy chicken drizzled with hot honey and green beans in the background.
    Crispy Hot Honey Chicken
  • Half of a Grandma Pie Pizza in a sheet pan with cut slices.
    Grandma Pie Pizza
  • Two crispy cheesesteak wraps with dipping sauce and a drink on a half light and half dark background
    Crispy Cheesesteak Wraps
  • Cajun chicken layered on a tortilla with spicy dressing, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and avocado.
    Cajun Chicken Wraps

If you tried this Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings Recipe or any other recipe on my site, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Every comment helps!

A plate of hot honey lemon pepper wings with ranch dressing dip and a cold beer.

Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings

Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Wings are baked at high heat for 45 minutes rendering the excess fat, for the crispiest, lemony, sweet, and spicy wings. They are covered in a lemon black pepper dry rub, baked, and drizzled in a hot honey sauce made with Frank's Red Hot, butter, and honey.
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Resting Time 1 day d
Total Time 1 day d 55 minutes mins
Author Lauren Skardal
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 315 kcal

Ingredients
  

Lemon Pepper Wings

  • 2 lbs chicken wings (choose meaty ones)
  • zest of 1 lemon ** see note above about lemon pepper substitute
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 teaspoon baking powder

Hot Honey Sauce

  • 2 tablespoon Frank's Red Hot
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Instructions
 

  • Place the chicken wings in a large mixing bowl, add the lemon zest, black pepper (or substitute lemon pepper spice for lemon zest and black pepper), and baking powder. Mix to combine. Cover the bowl in plastic wrap and place in the fridge overnight.
  • The following day, preheat the oven to 450℉.
    Place the wings in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.
  • Using tongs or a thin, stiff spatula, scrape and flip over each of the wings. Bake for another 15 minutes.
    Flip the wings again, then bake for a final 15 minutes, for a total baking time of 45 minutes.
  • While the wings are baking in the oven, prepare the sauce. Place the Frank's Red Hot, butter, and honey in a small to medium-sized microwavable bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds or until the butter is melted. Stir to combine.
  • When the wings are out of the oven, place them in a large bowl. Drizzle with sauce and toss to coat the wings evenly. Or serve plain with the sauce on the side for dipping. Serve while hot.

Notes

  • Buyin Chicken Wings:
    • Look for wings that appear to have a large amount of meat on the bone. 
    • If possible, find drumettes that are separated from the middle flat segment. This will simplify the work that you need to do in the kitchen. Otherwise, use a sharp knife to separate them.
  • Overnight Prep: Prepping the wings the night before (with only 10 minutes of prep time) is helpful for crispy wings, but they can be made the day of if you run short on time.
  • Adjust the Baking Time: The baking time below is for average-sized chicken wings. Meatier wings will take longer in the oven, and smaller ones will take less time. Keep an eye on the wings and take them out when they are quite crispy, adding or reducing time if needed.
  • Do Not Crowd the Pan: The more crowded the pan, the less likely the wings will get crispy.
  • Metal Spatula or Tongs: Use a thin metal spatula or a pair of tongs to scrape the wings and flip them over between baking.
  • Lemon Pepper: Use real lemon zest and freshly cracked pepper for best results, but using the premade Lemon Pepper Spice, which can be found in the spice section of many grocery stores, can certainly save time and energy.
  • All about Buffalo wings: A great resource for all things Buffalo Wings is The Buffalo New York Cookbook by Arthur Bovino, where he discusses frying, baking, the origin of Buffalo wings, and the story behind Frank's Red Hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 660mg | Potassium: 199mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 269IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 193mg | Iron: 2mg
Have you tried this recipe? Leave a comment below and share a photo on instagram and tag @elleandpear or #elleandpear. I'd absolutely love to hear from you and see what you're making!

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Lauren sitting at table in Tuscany with a glass of wine, charcuterie and rolling green hills and winery in the background.

I'm Lauren, I've worked in Finance, earned an MBA, and lived and traveled throughout Europe and the US. I love to cook and bake, and bring our family together around the table. Recipes shared here are real family recipes with real fresh ingredients inspired by our travels.

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