Golden, crispy wings coated in a decadent garlic-Parmesan butter sauce with bright lemon and peppery aroma—these wings are comfort food elevated for everyday indulgence.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These wings are effortlessly delicious: just a simple seasoning, oven or air-fry crisping, and a rich, aromatic sauce that clings perfectly. They require minimal prep, deliver maximum flavor, and are ideal for gatherings, game day, or a satisfying weeknight feast.
ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
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12 chicken wings (drumettes or flats)
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2 Tbsp olive oil
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
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1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
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1 tsp garlic powder
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
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2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
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1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
directions
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Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C), or set your air fryer to the same temperature.
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Pat wings dry to remove moisture, then toss with salt, pepper, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, and olive oil.
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Arrange wings in a single layer: on a lined baking sheet (flip halfway, bake 25–30 min), or in air fryer basket (shake halfway, cook 20–25 min)—until golden and crispy. Air-fryer methods take about 20–25 minutes thevanillatulip.com+13whisperofyum.com+13reddit.com+13oliveandmango.com+1iwashyoudry.com+1lydioutloud.com.
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Prepare sauce: melt butter over medium heat, whisk in Parmesan, lemon juice, and a pinch of garlic powder until smooth.
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Toss wings in the warm sauce, ensuring even coating.
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Garnish with parsley and an extra sprinkle of lemon pepper. Serve immediately with optional dipping sauce or fresh veggies.
Servings and timing
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Yield: around 12 wings, serving 2–4 people.
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Prep time: ~10 minutes
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Cook time: 20–30 minutes (oven or air fryer)
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Total time: ~30–40 minutes
storage/reheating
Store cooled wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days realsimple.com+2thevanillatulip.com+2stateofdinner.com+2.
To reheat and restore crispness:
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Oven: Preheat to 350–375 °F, toss wings on a sheet, spray lightly with oil, and bake 10–15 min—flipping halfway ddpoultry.ca+4stateofdinner.com+4reddit.com+4.
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Air fryer: Reheat at 375–400 °F for 5–10 min until heated through and crispy kimabbagehart.com+2bhg.com+2reddit.com+2.
Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess oliveandmango.com+15thespruceeats.com+15atomicwings.com+15.
Variations
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Extra crispiness: For air fryer, cook at 360 °F for 20 min, then blast at 400 °F for 5–7 min facebook.com.
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Herby twist: Swap parsley with basil, chives, or oregano realsimple.com+4wholeandheavenlyoven.com+4oliveandmango.com+4.
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Spicy kick: Add ¼ tsp cayenne or smoked paprika to seasoning.
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Sauce options: Use honey-garlic sauce for sweet-savory wings atomicwings.com+3wholeandheavenlyoven.com+3stateofdinner.com+3.
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Extra cheesy: Sprinkle more fresh Parmesan right before serving.
FAQs
How can I make the wings crispier?
Pat dry before cooking, and for air frying, use the “360 then 400 °F” method for extra crispness wholeandheavenlyoven.com.
Oven vs air fryer—what’s best?
Both cook evenly; air fryer is faster (~20–25 min), oven takes 25–30 min at 400 °F .
Can the sauce be made ahead?
Yes—make the sauce in advance, reheat gently before tossing with wings.
Can I grill these wings instead?
Yes—grill over medium heat until charred and cooked through (~7–10 min per side) then coat with sauce reddit.com.
Is Parmesan necessary?
It adds rich flavor and depth, but you can reduce or omit it for a lighter variation.
What internal temperature should the wings reach?
Ensure the thickest part reaches at least 165 °F per USDA guidelines thespruceeats.com+2realsimple.com+2realsimple.com+2.
Can I freeze cooked wings?
Yes—freeze cooled wings in airtight packaging for up to 2–6 months. Thaw overnight before reheating ddpoultry.ca+8eatingwell.com+8stateofdinner.com+8.
Can I use frozen wings?
Yes—just increase cooking time and separate frozen pieces in the air fryer or oven.
What dipping sauces pair well?
Ranch, blue cheese, honey mustard, or extra garlic-Parmesan sauce are all excellent choices.
Are these wings kid-friendly?
Definitely—no spicy heat by default. Adjust seasoning to suit younger palates.
Conclusion
These Garlic Parmesan Lemon Pepper Wings are easy to prep, rich in flavor, and endlessly crowd-pleasing. Whether baked or air-fried, they deliver that perfect balance of crispiness and buttery sauce. Ideal for weeknight dinners, parties, or game day—dip in your favorite sauce, grab a napkin, and enjoy every last juicy bite.
[tasty-recipe id=”19440″]