Wings top of my list of party snacks. And when I think of perfect wings, it’s not the spicy burn of Buffalo that I’m after. My mind goes South to another city: Atlanta, the capital of lemon-pepper wings. The zingy mix of lemon and pepper probably started eons ago in India, but as a seasoning, it’s strongly associated with Atlanta. It’s a combo that hits all the right notes: savory, acidic, and mildly spicy.
The sneaky little trick in these “wings” is swapping out the chicken for a can of artichoke hearts. I know, on paper that sounds like a wild non sequitur, but stick with me: When it comes to vegetarian “wings,” artichoke hearts just make sense. They’re dense enough to hold their shape but soft enough that they don’t need a precook. Artichokes have an earthy, slightly bitter flavor that complements the lemon pepper coating. And, best of all, the shape surprisingly mimics chicken wings, a visually pleasing bonus for all us perfectionists.
These easy air fryer “wings” get dredged in a beer batter, then coated in buttery panko spiked with—you guessed it—plenty of lemon zest and black pepper. (For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter.) A quick session in the air fryer and the outside becomes crisp and golden brown, ideal for serving with your dip of choice.
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