These lemon pepper parmesan wings are so lip smacking good! They are perfect for your game day party. Just be sure to make two batches because they will be gone in a flash. If you like easy appetizer foods you may also like this 4 ingredient guacamole and these air fryer chicken tenderloins.
When the big game is around the corner, I don’t know many people who aren’t putting wings on the menu. You can definitely spice things up from the traditional buffalo wings and make these yummy lemon pepper parmesan wings to please your crowd.
HISTORY OF CHICKEN WINGS
We all know that deep fried chicken wings have been a staple for quite some time now. These popular game day snacks originated when co-owner, Teressa Bellissmo, of the Anchor Bar in Buffalo New York cooked leftover wings in buffalo sauce as a late snack for her son and friends. Apparently the dish was so popular with her son and friends that they added the item to their menu. They served up the buffalo chicken wings with celery sticks and bleu cheese sauce and it became an instant hit.
Over the years people began to branch out and experimenting with different flavor of wings. Now you can find many of the most popular flavors like lemon pepper, sweet chili and bbq on most American bar menus.
WHY LEMON PEPPER PARMESAN WINGS
Lemon pepper sauce is the most popular sauce in my household when it comes to ordering wings. However I always felt like something was missing. One extra flavor component to make ti all come together. It needed to be salty and have just a mild flavor to it. I started experimenting with different cheeses and finally landed on parmesan. It is the perfect companion to the citrus, slightly spicy seasoning without being overpowering.
HOW TO MAKE CRISPY WINGS
Given I still wanted to make these slightly healthier than them being deep fried, I decided to use my air fryer for the cooking process. However in order to get crispy skin there are a few tricks you can use.
- First is to get the wings as dry as you can. you can do this by placing them on a paper towels and allowing it to soak up the extra moisture.
- Second is to use a secret ingredient. Cornstarch. By coating the wings in cornstarch this allows the wings to crisp up nicely in the air fryer. An alternative crisping agent you can use is arrowroot powder.
- Thirdly during the cooking process be sure to place the wings in a single layer on the air fryer basket so the air can fully circulate around the wings.
By using these few techniques you will find these create the perfect air fryer lemon pepper chicken wings!
SIMPLE INGREDIENTS FOR THIS PERFECT APPETIZER
I promise I kept the ingredients super simple for this recipe. Here is what you will need to make this easy recipe:
- Chicken wings
- Parmesan cheese
- Cornstarch
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Butter (or butter alternative)
- Lemon
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER WINGS
In a large mixing bowl place the dried chicken wings and season with the lemon pepper seasoning. Once wings are fully coated with the seasoning, sprinkle with cornstarch and allow to sit for 5 – 7 minutes.
Next place the wings on your air fryer basket ensuring to place in a single layer ensuring not to crowd the basket. Spray the wings with a bit of olive oil or spray pam to ensure a nice brown color. Cook the wings at 375 degrees f for 20 – 25 minutes flipping once during the cooking process.
While the wings are cooking, in a clean bowl, place 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter (or butter alternative) and microwave until melted. Once melted, add the lemon juice and stir to combine.
When the hot wings come out of the basket of your air fryer, place the cooked wings in a large bowl and pour the lemon butter sauce on top. Next sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the wings along with lemon zest.
You can opt to top with fresh parsley and lemon wedges prior to serving.
DO I HAVE TO USE AN AIR FRYER LEMON PEPPER PARMESAN WINGS
Of course not. Another alternative cooking method to deep frying is to make baked lemon pepper wings. Pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees and place a wire rack on a baking sheet. This will allow the heat to fully circulate around the wings ensuring a crispy texture. If you don’t have a wire rack, use parchment paper to bake the wings on and as a bonus it will make for easy cleanup!
DIPPING SAUCES TO SERVE
The dipping sauces you choose to serve with these wings are totally up to you! I personally think these are amazing on their own however some favorite dipping sauces typically includes:
- Ranch dressing
- Blue cheese dressing
- Honey Mustard
- Garlic butter sauce
- Hot Sauce
Lemon Pepper Parmesan Wings
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 2.5 lb Bag chicken wings
- 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp Lemon pepper seasoning
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch
- 1/2 wedge Lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Butter or substitute
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl place chicken wings and season with the lemon pepper seasoning.
- Once wings are fully coated with the seasoning, sprinkle with cornstarch and allow to sit for 5 – 7 minutes.
- Next place the wings on your air fryer basket ensuring to place in a single layer ensuring not to crowd the basket. Spray the wings with a bit of olive oil or spray pam to ensure a nice brown color.
- Cook the wings at 375 degrees f for 20 – 25 minutes flipping once during the cooking process.
- While the wings are cooking, in a clean bowl, place 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter (or butter alternative) and microwave until melted. Once melted, add the lemon juice and stir to combine.
- When cooked, place the cooked wings in a large bowl and pour the lemon butter sauce on top.
- Next sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the wings along with lemon zest.
- You can opt to top with fresh parsley and lemon wedges prior to serving.
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