These air fryer garlic parmesan wings have a crispy golden coating and a rich buttery parmesan sauce. Yes, they’re just as crispy and juicy even without deep frying.
My husband and I could eat wings every single day. so I knew I had to find a way to make them at home without standing over bubbling oil. Between the mess, the lingering oil smell, and how greasy they usually turn out, I avoid making wings at home.
The air fryer completely changed that for me. The wings had a crisp exterior and juicy center. And the super easy, 1-minute garlic parmesan sauce made them completely addictive.
Crispy, cheesy, buttery, and savory, they hit every craving all at once.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken Wings. Use party wings or whole wings split into flats and drumettes so they cook evenly.
- Cornstarch. This gives the wings a light, crisp coating in the air fryer.
- Baking Powder. A small amount helps dry the coating so the wings crisp better.
- Garlic Powder. This adds simple garlic flavor without changing the texture of the coating or sauce.
- Butter. Melted butter makes the sauce rich and helps the parmesan coat the wings.
- Grated Parmesan. Use finely grated parmesan so it blends into the butter more smoothly.
- Red Chili Flakes. This is optional, but it adds a little heat to balance the buttery sauce.
The Secret to Crispy Air Fryer Wings
The biggest secret is moisture control. Pat the wings very dry before seasoning them since excess moisture creates steam and prevents the outside from crisping properly.
Let the coating rest for a few minutes after you coat the wings. The cornstarch absorbs some moisture and sticks to the wings better, which helps create a more even crust in the air fryer.
A light spray of oil is important too. It helps the coating turn golden and crispy instead of leaving dry powdery spots on the wings.
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Wing Sauce
Simply whisk together melted butter, grated parmesan, garlic pepper, and red chili flakes, if using.
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Wings in the Air Fryer
1. Season the wings.
Pat the wings very dry, then season them with salt, white pepper, and garlic powder. Let them sit for 20 minutes.
2. Coat the wings.
In a shallow bowl, mix the cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Coat the wings evenly in the mixture, then let them sit for 15 minutes so the coating can hydrate.
3. Air fry the wings.
Spray the air fryer basket with oil, add the wings in a single layer, then spray the tops with more oil. Air fry at 370°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Increase the heat to 410°F and air fry for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until the wings are crispy and golden.
4. Toss in the sauce.
Transfer the wings to a bowl and toss with the garlic parmesan sauce until evenly coated. Serve and enjoy!
Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Use Finely Grated Parmesan. Shelf-stable parmesan or finely grated parmesan melts into the sauce more smoothly than thick shreds or large flakes.
- Toss the Wings While They’re Hot. The sauce coats the wings more evenly while they are still fresh out of the air fryer.
- Use a Large Bowl for Tossing. Extra space helps coat the wings evenly without knocking off too much of the crispy coating.
Variations and Substitutions
- Add More Heat by mixing extra red chili flakes or a little cayenne pepper into the sauce.
- Swap the Parmesan with pecorino romano for a sharper and saltier finish.
- Use Potato Starch instead of cornstarch for a lighter and more delicate coating.
- Make Them Extra Cheesy by adding more grated parmesan right before serving.
- Use Boneless Chicken if you prefer nuggets or boneless wings instead.
- Add Fresh Herbs like chopped parsley or chives for extra color and freshness.
What to Serve With Garlic Parmesan Wings
- Creamy Dips such as ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or garlic aioli.
- Crunchy Vegetables like carrot sticks, celery sticks, and cucumber slices
- Crispy Sides like French fries, sweet potato fries, or potato wedges.
- Cold Salads such as coleslaw or macaroni salad.
- Hearty Sides like garlic bread or pasta salad.
How to Store and Reheat
To Store: Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To Reheat: Reheat the wings in the air fryer at 375°F for 4 to 6 minutes, or until hot and crispy again. Avoid the microwave if possible since it softens the coating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken wings in the air fryer?
Yes, just thaw them first. Frozen wings release a lot of moisture while cooking, so thawed wings crisp up much better in the air fryer.
What temperature should I air fry chicken wings?
Start the wings at 370°F so they cook through evenly. Then raise the heat to 410°F at the end to crisp up the coating and give the wings a deep golden color.
Do I need baking powder for air fryer wings?
You can leave it out, but the wings may not get as crispy. Baking powder helps dry out the skin and coating, which makes the wings crispier in the air fryer.
More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love
Air Fryer Mango Habanero Wings
Air Fryer Kare Kare Wings
Air Fryer Chilean Sea Bass
Air Fryer Bang Bang Salmon Bites
Air Fryer Salmon Belly
Crispy Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken wings
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Oil spray
- ½ cup melted butter
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- ½ teaspoon garlic pepper
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes optional
Instructions
- Pat dry wings very well. Season with salt, white pepper, and garlic powder. Let them sit for 20 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix the melted butter, grated parmesan, garlic pepper, and red chili flakes, if using. Set aside.
- In a shallow bowl, mix the cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Coat the wings evenly in the mixture, then let them sit for 15 minutes so the coating can hydrate.
- Spray the air fryer basket with oil, add the wings in a single layer, then spray the tops with more oil. Air fry at 370°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Increase the heat to 410°F and air fry for another 3 to 5 minutes, or until the wings are crispy and golden.
- Transfer the wings to a bowl and toss with the garlic parmesan sauce until evenly coated. Serve and enjoy!
