A Healthy Version of Wingstop Lemon Pepper Wings

I’m often asked what’s the biggest challenge as a dietitian working full time in professional sports?

No question, it’s the constant quest of coaxing my athletes into eating various anti-inflammatory foods.

After all, eating well is the ultimate cheat code to faster recovery, significant energy, and injury prevention.

BUT, what’s a nutritionist to do when most of these players have lived on fast food their entire lives – and very successfully by the way. Because of that, most have zero interest in making significant changes. And guess what? I don’t blame them!

The answer? Combine forces with a highly skilled chef to create a less inflammatory version of the most famous fast food classics.

Chef Dev and I have teamed up to transform some of the greatest athletes in the business and now it’s time to transform, YOU!

Today, I’d like to introduce you to our anti-Inflammatory rendition of…

Wingstop Lemon Pepper Wings!!!

These baked lemon pepper chicken wings offer the perfect balance of crispy texture and bold flavor! The homemade lemon pepper seasoning mix creates a crave-able taste that pairs beautifully with a cool, creamy ranch dip. By baking instead of frying, these wings retain their juiciness without the excess oil of deep frying in unhealthy fats, making them a more intelligent choice for wing lovers! Whether for game day or a casual meal, they deliver all the satisfaction of classic wings with a fresh, healthier twist.

Easy, At Home Lemon Pepper Wingstop Wings

An anti-inflammatory version of your favorite Lemon Pepper wings!

• 2-3 pounds of chicken wings
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 Tbsp. arrowroot powder or Baking powder
• Grilled Lemon halves (for garnish)
• Your favorite ranch (for dipping!)

Lemon Pepper Seasoning

• The Peels from 5 large lemons
• ¼ cup Black peppercorns
• 2 tsp Kosher salt

Lemon Pepper Seasoning

1. Work on your lemon pepper seasoning first! Preheat your oven to 180ºF or its lowest setting. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil, then spread the strips of lemon peel onto the pan in a single layer. Place the lemon peels in the preheated oven and allow the lemon strips to cook until they are well dried, about 2-3 hours.
2. Use the time the lemon peels are in the oven to clean and season your wings!
3. Place the dried lemon peels and peppercorns into a spice grinder or blender, and blend until it is uniform in texture. Mix the salt into the lemon-pepper mixture and pour the seasoning into a small, air-tight container for storage for up to 1 month.

Chicken Wings

1. Preheat your oven to 425ºF.
2. Toss the chicken wings with oil and seasonings. Let the wings rest in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
3. Use this marinating time to finish your lemon pepper seasoning
4. Once the seasoning is complete, toss the marinated wings in a light arrowroot powder or baking powder coating. Line the wings on the parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 40-50 minutes or until crispy, flipping halfway through,
5. Once the wings are cooked, pour them into a large mixing bowl and toss them in a generous shower of lemon pepper until seasoned to your liking. Serve with ranch or blue cheese and enjoy!

Pro Tips From Chef Dev:

1. Make sure to trim any excess fat and skin from your chicken wings with a small knife. This will help them cook more evenly and create a better, crispier texture in the oven.

Also, we LOVE pairing these wings with a wellness soda from NOOMA. Cherry Cola is our favorite, but Fruit Punch is great, too! These sodas contain ingredients that support body repair and relaxation. Bonus: They are so refreshing when you’re sick of water!

Check them out and be sure to use code FWDFUEL at checkout for 20% off your first order!!

What’s your favorite fast food meal? Let us know in the comments below or DM us @fwdfuel and we will create a performance-enhancing version for you!