Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Wings are easily cooked in the air fryer with a beautifully crispy skin and incredible flavor. Tossed in a buttery garlic parmesan coating during the last five minutes of cook time to keep the wings crisp and flavorful.
Cooking chicken wings in the air fryer has been my go-to way because:
- First off, the skin of the wings is crispy and flavorful.
- The meat on the inside is always perfectly juicy and tender.
- When you air fry wings, you skip all of that excess oil, making this a much healthier alternative.
- Skipping the oil also means a much easier clean up.
- My little no-so-secret way of making the wings REALLY flavorful is to cook the wings by themselves for a bit, then toss them in sauce, turn up the heat, and cook them a bit longer. It solidifies the flavor and makes these wings pretty addictive!
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Wings in the Air Fryer
- Prepare the chicken wings: pat the wings dry with a paper towel and place them into a mixing bowl. Toss the wings with seasoning and olive oil.
- Air fry the wings: Place some of the wings in the basket of the air fryer, in just one layer. Air fry the wings at 380°F for 25 minutes. Toss them every 7-10 minutes to make sure they cook evenly.
- Coat with sauce: Whisk the sauce ingredients in the mixing bowl. Toss the par-cooked wings in sauce and place them back into the basket of your air fryer.
- Cook again: Cook the coated wings at 400°F for about 5-6 minutes.
Tips for the Best Air Fried Chicken Wings
- Pat the wings dry first, then lightly season and toss with some oil. This helps the wings to crisp up as they air fry, since you’re getting rid of excess moisture at the start of the recipe.
- Air fry the wings in two separate steps, and at two different temperatures. First, cook them at a lower temperature of 380°F to cook them through. Then, raise the temperature to 400°F for the last 5-7 minutes to crisp them up. It works like a charm!
- Spread the wings in 1 layer in the air fryer when you first start. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to cook the wings in 2-3 batches. Do NOT overcrowd the basket.
- Remember to shake the wings while they’re cooking every 7-10 minutes to ensure they all cook evenly.
- To keep the wings warm in between the batches, preheat the oven to 200°F and keep the wings in the warm oven while waiting on the next batch.
Frequently Asked Questions
After testing out different temperatures and times, I find that cooking the wings at two different temperatures is the best way to achieve juicy wings on the inside and crispy skin on the outside. So, start at 380°F for about 20-25 minutes, then raise the temperature to 400°F for 5-6 minutes. Exact time will depend on the size of your chicken wings, but it will vary only by about 1-3 minutes.
Unfortunately, some models don’t have a setting for that exact temperature. You will most likely have the settings 375°F and then a jump to 390°F. At that point, cook them at 390°F for a little less time, about 20-22 minutes, then raise the temperature to 400°F for 5-6 minutes.
These chicken wings are already flavored with the amazing garlic parmesan coating! It’s buttery and oh, so flavorful. Personally, we don’t dip these wings. If you really want a dip though, there are some good options!
Ranch goes great with this flavor, as does blue cheese dressings. Also, try Caesar Dressing! It’s a little unconventional but SO good.
Storing and Reheating
- If you happen to have any leftovers, you can store those wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheat them right in the air fryer at 380°F for 2-3 minutes for the best results. (Large chicken wings are better to reheat at 360°F for 3-4 minutes.)
More Game Day Recipes To Make
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Garlic Parmesan Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Garlic press, knife
Ingredients
Chicken Wings:
- 3 lbs chicken wings mix of flats and drumettes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2-1 tsp salt to taste
- 1/4-1/2 tsp black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
- 6 cloves of garlic pressed
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp dried minced parsley
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp white granulated sugar
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel and place them into a mixing bowl.
- Toss the wings with olive oil and some salt, pepper, and garlic powder until evenly coated.
- Place some chicken wings into the air-fryer basket, in one layer.
- Air-fry at 380° for about 25 minutes and make sure to toss them every 7-10 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- To make the garlic parmesan sauce, combine all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk well. NOTE: if you're making 2-3 batches of wings at a time, make sure to separate the sauce into batches as well. To be able to toss each batch in sauce.
- Toss the wings in some sauce and place them back into the fryer. Air-fry the coated wings at 400° for about 5-6 minutes, until nicely golden brown.
- To keep the wings warm in between cooking batches: preheat the oven to 200° and keep the wings in the warm oven while cooking another batch.
Notes
-
- No 380°F setting? Unfortunately, some models don’t have a setting for that exact temperature. You will most likely have the settings 375°F and then a jump to 390°F. At that point, cook them at 390°F for a little less time, about 20-22 minutes, then raise the temperature to 400°F for 5-6 minutes.
- Storing: If you happen to have any leftovers, you can store those wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheat them right in the air fryer at 380°F for 2-3 minutes for the best results. (Large chicken wings are better to reheat at 360°F for 3-4 minutes.)
Nutrition
Originally published on Will Cook For Smiles in March 2022.
Carolyn says
Very good
LyubaB says
Thank you, Carolyn!
LyubaB says
Glad you liked it! 🙂