Wingstop Lemon Pepper Wings

What do you do if you’re craving tasty lemon pepper chicken wings for your party, game day, or any other time but can’t make it to a Wingstop? Use this simple, perfectly seasoned wing recipe to make them at home, of course.

Copycat Wingstop lemon pepper wings, celery, and dipping sauce on a plate.


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Wingstop lemon pepper chicken wings

Wingstop is famous for its wide selection of flavors, providing hungry diners with a dozen or more options from mouth-scorching Atomic to sweet and zesty Hawaiian. But one choice that’s become a fan favorite is lemon pepper, a flavorful dry rub that’s less messy than sauced wings without sacrificing any of the taste.

It’s also among the easiest to make at home, helping wing lovers save money and time by avoiding a trip to the restaurant. 

What makes Wingstop lemon pepper wings so good? 

There’s something special about the contrast of tart lemon zest and spicy, pungent black pepper that just can’t be matched by other wing flavors, as delicious and varied as they may be. These two incredible tastes pair perfectly with the rich yet subtle flavor of the unbreaded chicken. 

Why you’ll love this recipe

Simplicity is king in this recipe for lemon pepper wings. With just four ingredients, you’ll be amazed at the flavors this recipe develops from just the pre-mixed seasoning, which is available at most supermarkets or online. In just over ten minutes, you’ll be chowing down on this incredible snack. 

Ingredients you’ll need

Here’s the short list of ingredients for this easy lemon pepper wings recipe:

  • Chicken wings
  • Butter
  • Lemon pepper
  • Vegetable oil (for frying)

Those with dietary restrictions can make an easy substitution, replacing butter with a non-dairy alternative. 

Copycat Wingstop lemon pepper wings ingredients on parchment paper.

How to make Wingstop lemon pepper wings

Don’t be fooled. Despite the big flavors, the process of how to cook lemon pepper wings is straightforward for anyone who’d deep-fried before:

  1. Preheat oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Fry the separated wings in the oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the fryer or let the oil temperature drop.
  3. Remove when deeply browned and the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit, about 8-10 minutes. 
  4. Drain them on a wire rack.
  5. Combine the melted butter and lemon pepper in a bowl, and toss the wings.
Collage of making copycat Wingstop lemon pepper wings.

A dedicated deep fryer will be the easiest way to make the most consistent chicken. However, it’s absolutely possible to make excellent lemon pepper chicken wings frying in a deep, heavy-bottomed pot on the stovetop, using a thermometer to monitor the temperature. 

Copycat Wingstop lemon pepper wings, celery sticks, and dipping sauce on a plate.

Tips for cutting the wings

Sometimes, you might only find whole, unseparated wings at your grocery store or butcher or want to save money by doing the prep work yourself. Fortunately, it’s easy.

Spread the wing at the joint between the flat and drummette and find where the bones meet. Then, using a sharp knife, cut through the wing at this spot. Larger, sharp kitchen shears can also work. 

Repeat this process to separate the wing tips from the drumette. These aren’t edible on their own, so you can either discard them or save them to make chicken stock.

What goes well with lemon pepper wings

There are plenty of great options to go with your homemade lemon pepper wings, starting with your favorite dipping sauce like bleu cheese or ranch.

You can pair them with snackable veggies like celery or carrot sticks for a healthier, refreshing contrast, or whip up some french fries or a green salad for a classic meal pairing.

Chicken wings are a classic bar and party food, which makes them ultra-versatile with nearly any delicious, indulgent food, so it’s hard to go wrong!

How to store 

If you somehow manage not to devour all of your homemade lemon pepper wings, properly storing them can keep them as fresh as possible to enjoy later. First, let them cool to room temperature, then place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

For longer-term storage, you can even freeze your lemon pepper chicken wings. Wrap them in plastic wrap or aluminum foil in as flat of a layer as possible, then place them in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. 

How long will homemade Wingstop lemon pepper wings last?

This depends on how you choose to store them. In the fridge, they should be eaten within three to four days. However, they’ll last up to four months frozen. Still, like most fried foods, they’re best enjoyed as fresh as possible out of the fryer. 

What’s the best way to reheat them?

One of the best parts of these lemon pepper wings is the crispy skin, so don’t ruin it by reheating them in the microwave. Warm up your wings in an oven set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit until they reach your desired temperature. While it may take a few minutes longer, it’s worth it for the much-improved texture. 

Copycat Wingstop lemon pepper wings, celery sticks, and a cup of dipping sauce.

Love wings? Check out these great recipes!

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Copycat Wingstop lemon pepper wings, celery, and dipping sauce on a plate.

Wingstop Lemon Pepper Wings

Make the famous Wingstop Lemon Pepper wings at home. 
4.97 from 26 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Keto, Lemon Pepper Wings, Wingstop, Wingstop Garlic Parmesan Wings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 508kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 pounds chicken wings
  • vegetable oil for frying
  • 1/3 cup butter melted
  • 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning

Instructions

  • Cut the wings at each joint. Discard the wing tip or save it for stock.
  • Add vegetable oil to a large, heavy-bottomed pot until it reaches a depth of 4 inches, or use a deep fryer. Preheat the oil to 350°F.
  • Deep-fry the wings in batches for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once to ensure they cook evenly. Depending on the size of your pot, you should be able to fry about 5 or 6 wings at a time. When the wings are just beginning to brown, remove them from the oil and drain them on a wire rack resting on a cookie sheet.
  • Combine the melted butter and lemon pepper seasoning in a large bowl. Place the fried wings in the bowl and toss to coat.

Video

Notes

Want to upgrade the flavor of these wings? You can sprinkle on some fresh lemon zest for a great flavor punch.

Nutrition

Calories: 508kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.3g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 159mg | Sodium: 233mg | Potassium: 250mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 0.02g | Vitamin A: 701IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 2mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Denise

    Just don’t use unhealthy vegetable oil, corn oil, etc. Use a healthier oil such as avocado, coconut, or an olive oil good for high heat. See what works best for you.
    Looking forward to trying this and experimenting w the original recipe as well as some of the ideas in the comments – I came to this site bc wingstop lemon pepper wings are my son’s fave.

  2. Allan K

    This is the worst website i have ever visited 🙂 sorry
    tooo many ads and irratation popups it just makes you wanna leave right away bye bye

      • Peter702

        More than 26 ads on this page. Allan K has a point. I appreciate the content but the ads make this site really unusable.

      • Stephanie

        I appreciate the point. I am currently working on an overhaul that should eliminate some of the ads. I have checked a couple of pages, and I can only count 8 ads, so I don’t know where the other 18 came into play.

      • Sebrebian

        5 stars
        OMG thank you Stephanie for the video. It made everything so clear and easy. Thank’s I am going to try it over the weekend. Great job!

  3. Actual Wingstop Employee

    We fry naked wings at 350 degrees for 11-18 minutes, depending on size and crispiness. We have a soybean oil product called Wing Gold that we mix 2 cups of seasoning on per gallon to make the light sprinkle on the top stick, although the taste can easily be improved with butter or margarine. Toss your butter mixture very lightly in a bowl and add seasoning to taste. All of our food is impossibly simple, with lots of sugar and salt.

    If you want fries to tow it’s sugar, salt, pepper, and garlic. We get it in bags so I’m not sure about ratios but if it’s that deep you can just ask us for a side. Worst they’ll do is charge you a few cents for it. Same goes for the lemon pepper.

    Hope this helps, good luck on the wings. ????

  4. A. Jackson

    Hello, please advise the name ans brand of the counter top gas burner you used while making your lemon pepper wings. I sure would like to purchase one. Thanks in advance. Mrs. A. Jackson

  5. Diane K

    the best lemon pepper on the market is Lawry’s! I use it on practically all meats before cooking. It’s especially good sprinkled on top of sliced avocado’s too. Yum!!!

  6. D

    This recipe is remarkably terrible. No where near enough lemon pepper and terrible cooking method. This is what happens when someone thinks they can just come up with anything despite any culinary knowledge whatsoever.

    • Nursebetti

      This recipe is delicious, my 21yr old son that cooks only about twice per year has made it 2 times. Each time the wings have come out GREAT!

  7. Wing Expert

    We’ll give you a side of the sauce and seasoning if you ask nice. Anyways the sauce is soybean oil based, it’s called wing gold. Vegetable oil is a nice substitute. Mix it with lemon pepper and fry. Out recipes are simple as ever. Chicken, sauce, seasoning. 2 cups of seasoning per gallon of wig gold.

    As for fries it’s first ingredient is sugar. It’s sweet seasoned salt. We just cut potatoes and blanch for a min and a half, cool, and for for 350 for 3 mins. This is way too much.

  8. Rafael

    OMG!! Stephanie.. you just read my mind without me knowing it, I just watched your garlic parmesean wings, and said to myself, I wonder when she will make the lemon pepper ones! This will be a hit for superbowl this year, especially with the boneless buffalo bites.

  9. bastisraul

    Stephanie,
    We have tried to cut back on fried foods. We steam the wings for 13 min then bake for 35 min @ 375 degrees. If you want a little more crisp wing, place under broiler for 5 min. The lemon pepper wings are really good. So moist that they just seem to dissolve in your mouth.

4.97 from 26 votes (19 ratings without comment)

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