Description
These Quick Lemon Pepper Air Fryer Chicken Wings offer a zesty, crispy, and flavorful snack or appetizer made effortlessly using an air fryer. Marinated with fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic powder, and black pepper, these wings are perfect for a quick meal or party dish with minimal cleanup and maximum taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Wings
- 2 pounds Chicken Wings (Fresh or frozen, pat dry before seasoning)
Seasonings and Marinade
- 1 medium Lemon Zest (Zest of one lemon for flavor)
- 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice (Freshly squeezed for best flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper (Freshly ground for better taste)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder (Enhances savory flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (To enhance flavors)
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (For crispiness in the air fryer)
Cooking Supplies
- Cooking Spray (To prevent sticking in the air fryer)
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it is hot and ready for cooking the wings evenly and crisply.
- Prepare Wings: Rinse chicken wings under cold water and thoroughly pat dry with paper towels to remove moisture, which helps achieve crispiness.
- Season Wings: In a large bowl, combine the chicken wings with salt, black pepper, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic powder, and olive oil. Mix thoroughly so each wing is well-coated with the marinade and spices.
- Marinate: Let the wings sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat for enhanced taste.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking and arrange the wings in a single even layer, ensuring good air circulation for even cooking.
- Cook Wings: Cook the wings for 25-30 minutes at 400°F, shaking the basket halfway through cooking to promote even browning and crispiness on all sides.
- Check Doneness: Ensure wings reach a deep golden color and have an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Rest Wings: Let the wings rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, resulting in juicier meat.
- Serve: Serve the wings hot, garnished optionally with extra lemon zest or fresh herbs to brighten the presentation and flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best bright citrus flavor.
- Patting chicken wings dry before seasoning and cooking enhances crispiness.
- Shaking the air fryer basket halfway through cooking ensures even browning.
- Cooking time may vary slightly depending on air fryer model and wing size.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure safety.
- Optionally garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro for additional color and flavor.
