It doesn’t get much better than crispy, juicy wings, especially for game day! If you don’t love the heat of classic buffalo, then these savory garlic parmesan wings are a great alternative. I love to make them in my air fryer because they’re simple, delicious, and perfect for any time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy and flavorful. Every bite is packed with crunchy skin, savory garlic, and rich parmesan cheese!
- Perfect for the air fryer. Air fryer chicken wings are beautifully crispy without the hassle of deep frying
- A great alternative to spicy wings. All the flavor and excitement of wings without the heat
- Buttery garlic goodness. The garlic butter coating makes these wings irresistibly delicious
- Easy to make. Simple ingredients come together for restaurant-worthy wings at home, no takeout needed!
- Perfect for game day. They’re always a crowd favorite for parties, tailgates, or pizza night
- Family-friendly. Kids and adults alike tend to love the cheesy, garlicky flavor
- Juicy on the inside. The wings stay tender and flavorful while developing a crispy exterior
- Versatile enough for any occasion. Serve them as an appetizer, snack, party food, or even a casual dinner!
Quick + Easy Recipes
straight to your inbox
Ingredients List
- 1 ½ pounds fresh (or defrosted frozen) chicken wingettes, or wings (split into flats and drumettes)
- 1 Tbsp baking powder (optional, but makes for crispier wings)
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
For the Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese (plus extra for garnishing if desired)
- 1 Tbsp minced fresh garlic
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or ½ Tbsp dried)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Instead of baking powder, you can use equal parts cornstarch and baking soda Alternatively, skip altogether and toss wings with 1 Tbsp olive oil (or similar) along with the seasonings (they won’t be as crispy, but still tasty)
- All seasonings are adjustable to taste. You can add other options too, like onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, or add some heat with red pepper flakes
- I don’t think the sauce needs any extra salt, since the cheese is salty as well. Only add some if you need it, and if it’s still too salty, try unsalted butter as the base!
- If you don’t want to make your own sauce, feel free to use ¼ to ⅓ cup of bottled garlic parmesan wing sauce (like Buffalo Wild Wings) instead!
Step By Step Instructions
- Pat wings dry with a paper towel, then toss in a bowl or zippered bag with the baking powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until well coated
- Add the wings to your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer (cook in batches if needed, as overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking)
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for about 30 minutes (or slightly more depending on specific wing size; drumsticks may take slightly longer), flipping every 10 minutes, until the internal temperature of the center near but not touching the bone reaches 165°F. For extra crispy wings, add 5-10 more minutes even after they reach the needed temperature!
- While the wings are cooking, mix all of the sauce ingredients except for the parmesan together in a large bowl
- Toss the cooked wings in the bowl with the garlic butter sauce, then sprinkle the cheese on and continue tossing until the wings are evenly coated. Garnish with extra parmesan and/or parsley as desired, and serve immediately with your favorite sides. Enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Classic Wing Sides
- Celery sticks: Crisp and refreshing alongside rich wings
- Carrot sticks: A classic wing-night favorite
- Ranch dressing: Cool and creamy with garlic and parmesan flavors
- Blue cheese dip: Tangy and bold for those who love traditional wing pairings
Fresh Pairings
- Caesar salad: Parmesan and garlic flavors make this a natural match
- Garden salad: Fresh greens help balance the richness
- Cucumber salad: Light and refreshing with a crisp bite
- Coleslaw: Crunchy and slightly tangy for contrast
Comfort Food Sides
- French fries: A game-day classic. Try my easy Air Fryer Frozen Potato Wedges!
- Garlic parmesan fries: For serious garlic lovers!
- Onion rings: Crispy and satisfying alongside wings. Try some quick and crispy Air Fryer Frozen Onion Rings!
- Mac and cheese: Rich comfort food that pairs well with savory wings
Breads & Dips
- Garlic knots: Perfect for soaking up extra garlic butter sauce. Air Fryer Frozen Garlic Knots make it easy!
- Soft pretzel bites: Salty, chewy, and great for sharing
- Spinach artichoke dip: Creamy and cheesy with complementary flavors
- Buffalo chicken dip: Adds a spicy contrast to the milder wings. Yep, you can make Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Dip too!
Drink Pairings
- Light lager: Crisp and refreshing with rich wings
- Pilsner: Clean and bubbly enough to cut through the butter and cheese
- Sparkling lemonade: Bright citrus balances the savory flavors
- Lemon drop martini: The tart citrus provides a refreshing contrast to the garlic and parmesan
Serving Vibes
Perfect for game days, tailgates, watch parties, family gatherings, or anytime you’re craving crispy wings packed with bold, cheesy garlic flavor!
Recipe FAQs
Can I Make These In The Oven Instead?
Yes! Bake the wings until crispy and cooked through (usually 40-60 minutes in a 400°F oven), then toss them in the garlic parmesan sauce before serving. A wire rack over your baking sheet can help promote even browning and crispier skin.
What Are Some Tips For Making Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings?
Pat the wings dry before cooking, avoid overcrowding the basket or tray, and cook them until golden brown before adding the sauce. This helps the skin stay crisp.
What’s The Secret To Sticky Parmesan Wings?
Toss the wings in the garlic butter sauce while they’re still hot, then add the parmesan cheese. The warm butter helps the cheese cling to the wings for a flavorful coating.
Tips For the Best Garlic Parmesan Wings
- I make this recipe in my Ninja Dual Zone air fryer, so cooking times are tested on that. Other air fryers (and wing sizes) can cause cooking times to vary, so adjust in smaller increments (~5 minutes or so) as needed to get your desired crisp level!
- Wings scale easily for a crowd, but depending on the size of your air fryer, you’ll need to cook in batches to get the best crisping (don’t overcrowd them or you’ll get soggy spots)!
- After saucing, the wings will start to lose crispiness, so they’re best enjoyed immediately. You can always air fry them for a few minutes to crisp them back up if needed!
Storage and Reheating
Storage Tips
- Let the wings cool before storing. This helps prevent excess moisture from softening the crispy exterior
- Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days
Reheating Tips
- Air fryer (best method): Reheat at 375°F for 3-5 minutes until hot and crispy. Check out my full guide to Reheat Wings in an Air Fryer for more info!
- Oven: Warm at 375°F for 8-10 minutes on a baking sheet
- Skip the microwave if possible. It will heat the wings, but the skin won’t stay crispy
- Add a sprinkle of fresh parmesan after reheating for the best flavor and presentation!
More Air Fryer Wing Recipes
- Air Fryer Honey Garlic Wings
- Air Fryer Honey Lemon Pepper Wings
Final Thoughts
This air fryer garlic parmesan wing recipe is one of my favorites for game day, but it’s also perfect for pizza night, an appetizer board, or just any time! The savory sauce is great for anyone who is heat averse but still wants that delicious wing flavor.
The air fryer makes wings super crispy, while keeping the meat juicy inside. It’s such a great bite, and always a crowd pleaser! Plus, you can definitely use the base recipe and customize with different sauces to please everyone!
Katie’s tip
If you love this game day favorite and want more flavors to try, check out all of my Air Fryer Wing Recipes for all sorts of inspiration!
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings
Servings: 8
These air fryer garlic parmesan wings are the perfect savory appetizer for those who want something other than buffalo. The air fryer makes them crispy and delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds fresh (or defrosted frozen) chicken wings (split into flats and drums)
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- ¼ cup butter (melted)
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese (plus extra for garnishing if desired)
- 1 Tbsp minced fresh garlic
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or ½ Tbsp dried)
- Salt and black pepper to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Pat wings dry with a paper towel, then toss in a bowl or zippered bag with the baking powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until well coated1 ½ pounds fresh (or defrosted frozen) chicken wings, 1 Tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp garlic powder
- Add the wings to your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer (cook in batches if needed, as overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking)
- Cook on the air fry setting at 400°F for about 30 minutes (or slightly more depending on specific wing size), flipping every 10 minutes, until the center near but not touching the bone reaches 165°F. For extra crispy wings, add 5-10 more minutes even after they reach the needed temperature!
- While the wings are cooking, mix all of the sauce ingredients except for the parmesan together in a large bowl¼ cup butter, 1 Tbsp minced fresh garlic, ½ tsp garlic powder, 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley, Salt and black pepper to taste
- Toss the cooked wings in the bowl with the garlic butter sauce, then sprinkle the cheese on and continue tossing until the wings are evenly coated. Garnish with extra parmesan and/or parsley as desired, and serve immediately with your favorite sides. Enjoy!¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Notes
- Instead of baking powder, you can use equal parts cornstarch and baking soda
- All seasonings are adjustable to taste. You can add other options too, like onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, or add heat with red pepper flakes
- I don’t find that the sauce needs any extra salt, since the cheese is salty as well, but you can adjust to taste (but you should add some to the chicken still for sure)!
- If you don’t want to make your own sauce, feel free to use ¼ to ⅓ cup of bottled garlic parmesan wing sauce (like Buffalo Wild Wings) instead!
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand, size, and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
Serving: 99g | Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 112mg | Sodium: 455mg | Potassium: 368mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 215.8IU | Vitamin C: 0.9mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 0.6mg
