Crispy air fryer garlic parmesan wings are so easy to make in less than 30 minutes. They're tossed in an absolutely delicious garlic and parmesan sauce that is super buttery and delish, it's the perfect party appetizer for game day.
Bear's favorite chicken wing flavor, y'all. He'll get a big party platter of garlic parm wings (I'll grab the lemon pepper wings, my fave!) from Wingo's in DC and be happy as a clam, it's his absolute favorite. Buffalo wings take a back seat to these every time.
Which, if you know me, means I have to one-up Wingo's and make wings that are even better. I won't let myself be outdone by a restaurant in my hubby's heart: I needed my wings to be crispier, butterier, ...garlicky-er. Parmesan-ier? All of that.
These uber crispy garlic parmesan wings fit the bill: coated in seasoning and parmesan cheese, air-fried, then tossed in a garlic butter sauce with herbs and more parmesan. My whole family inhaled these so fast I was only able to grab one! So I just made another batch, it was really easy. And I hoarded most of them to myself this time.
So why the air fryer method? The cooking process is really fast and easy, and I get seriously crispy wings without any breading (you'll be surprised at the simple ingredients in this recipe!) and it's my favorite thing to use to reheat anything I want to keep crispy like fries, mozzarella sticks, or wings.
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Equipment Needed
Air Fryer - Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may have to make your wings in batches. I use the Ninja Foodi Smart 6-in-1 XL Indoor Grill. It holds a lot of wings.
Wire Rack - this is how I dry out my wings. Blotting with a paper towel will get the surface dry for a few minutes, but letting your chicken wings dry on a wire rack for 360 degrees of airflow will result in superior crispness.
I've let them dry overnight when I know I'll be making wings the next day and let me tell you: the skin didn't even think about getting soggy even coated in the parm and garlic butter sauce.
Ingredients
Cooking Spray - spray the air fryer basket with some nonstick cooking spray so the wings don't stick. Bonus: the oil helps them get extra crispy.
Segmented Wings - these are whole chicken wings that have been cut into flats and drumettes, you can also find them named 'party wings' at the grocery store.
Garlic Powder and Onion Powder - fresh garlic will burn (and burnt garlic ruins everything it touches!) so we're using garlic powder. Same thing with the onion powder. Besides, no one wants to bite into chunks of burnt onion on their chicken wings!
Black Pepper and Kosher Salt
Parmesan Cheese - use a microplane to finely grate fresh parmesan cheese (I say it every time: USE REAL PARM. Not the shelf-stable stuff in the can, get yourself a $4 wedge of parm in the cheese section. The quality is worth it.
Buttery Garlic Sauce Ingredients
Melted Butter - I use salted butter, which I encourage for this, but unsalted butter works, too. Just add some extra salt as needed.
Chopped Parsley - fresh flat-leaf parsley does have a flavor! It's peppery and herby, adding more depth to your simple (and tasty!) buttery garlic parmesan sauce.
More Garlic and Onion Powder.
Red Pepper Flakes - for a bit of zing, however you don't like *spicy*, it's optional.
More Parmesan Cheese.
Instructions for Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
Full instructions and ingredient measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
This recipe is really simple, which is why it's perfect for a party appetizer!
Dry the wings out, toss them in a small bowl with the spices and parmesan coating, and put the seasoned wings in your preheated air fryer.
While they're air frying, mix together the melted butter, herbs, spices, and parm in a large bowl. Toss the cooked wings in the garlic butter parmesan sauce and serve! So easy, so simple.
My favorite dipping sauce recipes
I like to eat these with just the parmesan wing sauce that's on them, but if you're a wing-sauce kinda person like my husband this section is for you!
Gochujang Aioli - Y'all, if you want something spicy and creamy, this aioli is it!
Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce - If you're into decadence, this garlicky-lemony bootleg beurre blanc is exactly what you want in a dipping sauce.
Bang Bang Sauce - sweet, creamy, spicy, savory, this sauce has got it all.
Chimichurri Sauce - this is my everything sauce. It goes on steak, fries, wings, you name it. It's herby, garlicky, and so delicious!
Pro Tips for the Best Air Fryer WIngs
For the best results, dry the wings overnight. But if you don't have time for that, adding a small amount (like ½ tsp) of aluminum-free baking powder to the seasoning mix. It's a great way to make the the skin extra crisp. Baking powder will create a chemical reaction with the proteins in the skin which is why it gets crispy.
Make this garlic parmesan chicken wings recipe with a side salad if you're wanting to commit to having wings for dinner ;).
Storing and Reheating Instructions
If you have leftover wings, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in your air fryer at 300 degrees F for two minutes! It'll be as if they're freshly made.
More Crowd-Pleasing Party Recipes
- Birria Pizza - if you have some leftover birria de res, this is a must make.
- Garlic Butter Seafood Boil - a true southern get-together classic!
- Crispy Carnitas Street Tacos - with all the toppings and salsas. All of'em.
- Hot Garlic Butter Ham and Cheese Sliders - this is loved by both kids and adults!
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Garlic Parmesan Wings (Air Fryer Method)
Ingredients
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
- 2 ½ pounds chicken wing segments, drumettes and flats
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon finely ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder, optional
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan cheese
Parmesan Garlic Butter Sauce
- 8 tablespoon 1 stick salted butter
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon finely ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Remove the chicken wing parts from the refrigerator and pat dry, placing onto a wire rack. Let rest for 30 minutes or continue with recipe, using baking powder.
- Preheat your airfryer at 390 degrees F.
- Whisk together the kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, parmesan cheese, and baking powder if using, in a medium mixing bowl.
- Add the chicken wing segments to the seasoning mix and toss to coat each wing generously.
- Place the seasoned wings on a flat layer in the preheated airfryer basket.
- Cook the garlic parm wings for 20 minutes, flipping the wings carefully with tongs at the 10 minute mark.
Make the Garlic Parmesan Wing Sauce
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the stick (8 tbsp) of salted butter, and mix in garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and parsley.
- Stir together for a minute until butter is fully melted, then add the grated parmesan cheese.
- Once the chicken wings are finished cooking, toss them in a clean large sized mixing bowl with the wing sauce.
- Serve hot.
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