Lemon pepper wings are a popular appetizer or snack made by seasoning chicken wings with a lemon pepper seasoning blend. But an important question for people with dairy allergies or sensitivities is: do lemon pepper wings contain dairy ingredients?
The quick answer is that traditional lemon pepper seasoning does not contain dairy. Lemon pepper seasoning is generally made from lemon zest, black pepper, salt, and sometimes onion powder and garlic powder. These ingredients are all dairy-free.
However, the methods for preparing and cooking lemon pepper wings can introduce dairy ingredients like butter. So to keep lemon pepper wings dairy-free, it’s important to watch your cooking method and avoid adding any butters, creams, or milks.
What Are the Ingredients in Lemon Pepper Seasoning?
Lemon pepper seasoning is a spice blend that combines the bright, citrusy flavor of lemon zest with the heat of black pepper. Here are the main ingredients typically found in lemon pepper seasoning:
- Lemon zest – Thinly sliced pieces of lemon peel provide tangy, citrusy lemon flavor.
- Black pepper – Coarsely ground black peppercorns add spicy heat.
- Salt – Salt enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
- Onion powder – Optional for added flavor. Onion powder provides a hint of onion flavor.
- Garlic powder – Also optional. Garlic powder adds a subtle garlic taste.
As you can see from the list of main ingredients, traditional lemon pepper seasoning contains no dairy products. The zest, spices, and salts are all plant-based ingredients that are naturally dairy-free and vegan.
Checking the Ingredient List
To confirm that a particular brand of lemon pepper seasoning is dairy-free, simply read the ingredient list on the packaging.
Watch out for any ingredients that commonly contain dairy, like:
- Butter or milk solids
- Cheese or cheese powders
- Cream
- Whey or whey protein
- Casein
As long as you don’t see any of those dairy-derived ingredients, you can be sure that lemon pepper seasoning blend is dairy-free and safe to consume if you have an allergy or sensitivity.
How Are Lemon Pepper Wings Made?
To make lemon pepper wings, chicken wings are coated in a layer of lemon pepper seasoning and then cooked. There are two main methods for preparing lemon pepper wings:
Baked Lemon Pepper Wings
Baked lemon pepper wings are made by:
- Pat chicken wings dry and arrange on a baking sheet.
- Season all sides with lemon pepper seasoning blend.
- Bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Baking keeps lemon pepper wings dairy-free, as long as your seasoning blend doesn’t contain dairy.
Fried Lemon Pepper Wings
Fried lemon pepper wings are made by:
- Coat raw chicken wings with lemon pepper seasoning.
- Fry wings in oil at 350°F until crispy and cooked through.
Frying can introduce dairy if the oil used contains butter or if the wings are fried in butter. To keep fried lemon pepper wings dairy-free:
- Use oil without dairy – vegetable, canola, sunflower, etc.
- Do not fry in butter or butter-based oils.
Do Restaurant Lemon Pepper Wings Have Dairy?
At most restaurants, traditional lemon pepper wings are made without any dairy ingredients. However, some restaurants do prepare the wings in ways that can add dairy:
- Fried in butter – Some restaurants fry the wings in butter or clarified butter, adding trace amounts of milk proteins.
- Butter coating – Wings may be coated or tossed in melted butter for extra richness.
- Creamy dipping sauces – Side sauces like ranch, blue cheese, etc. contain dairy.
To ensure you avoid dairy, ask about how the wings are fried and cooked. Request no dipping sauce, or ask for a dairy-free sauce.
Common Restaurant Preparations
Here are some common lemon pepper wing preparations at restaurants and whether they contain dairy:
| Restaurant | Preparation | Contains Dairy? |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Wild Wings | Fried in vegetable oil | No |
| KFC | Fried in palm oil | No |
| Popeye’s | Fried in butter flavored oil | Yes* |
| Wingstop | Tossed in melted butter | Yes |
*Butter flavored oil may contain trace amounts of dairy
How to Keep Lemon Pepper Wings Dairy-Free
You can easily prepare dairy-free lemon pepper wings at home:
Choose Dairy-Free Seasoning
Use a store-bought or homemade lemon pepper seasoning that does not contain any dairy ingredients like whey, milk solids, or cheese.
Bake Instead of Fry
Baking the wings prevents any chance of butter or cream contamination during cooking.
Avoid Butter and Cream-Based Sauces
Leave off any creamy dipping sauces, dressings, or butter-based finishing sauces to keep wings dairy-free.
Fry in Vegetable Oil
If you do fry the wings, use pure vegetable oil and refrain from using any butter or butter-infused oil.
Homemade Dairy-Free Lemon Pepper Seasoning
It’s easy to make lemon pepper seasoning at home with just a few simple ingredients:
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and zest lemon to get 2 tablespoons zest.
- Combine zest with pepper, salt, and any optional seasonings.
- Mix well and store in an airtight container.
Use this homemade blend to season wings before baking or frying without worrying about any hidden dairy.
How to Make Lemon Pepper Wings Dairy-Free at Restaurants
If ordering lemon pepper wings at a restaurant, ask these questions to modify your order to be dairy-free:
- Are the wings fried in regular vegetable oil or butter oil?
- Can you bake the wings instead of frying?
- Can I get the wings without sauce or dipping sauce on the side?
Most restaurants are happy to accommodate allergy-related requests. Some helpful tips:
- Check menus online for allergen labels
- Ask about preparation methods
- Request modifications to the standard recipe
- Ask staff to change gloves and utensils
With good communication, you can enjoy lemon pepper wings from any restaurant dairy-free.
Lactose-Free Alternatives to Enjoy Lemon Pepper Wings
If you avoid dairy due to lactose intolerance, these alternatives can allow you to enjoy lemon pepper wings:
Lactase Enzyme Supplements
Take lactase enzyme pills or drops before eating wings cooked with small amounts of butter or dairy. The lactase will help you digest the lactose.
Lactose-Free Butter
Opt for wings cooked with lactose-free butter spreads or oils with “butter flavor.” These remove the milk sugars but retain buttery taste.
Dairy-Free Dipping Sauces
Drizzle wings with creamy dressings and dips made from alternate dairy sources like coconut milk or nut milks rather than regular dairy.
The Bottom Line
Traditional lemon pepper wing recipes do not contain dairy as lemon pepper seasoning is free of milk products. However, restaurants sometimes add butter or creamy sauces, so check preparation methods and modify orders to avoid dairy. At home, bake wings coated in lemon pepper rub or fry in pure vegetable oil for dairy-free results. With proper precautions, those with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance can safely and delicious enjoy this classic appetizer.
