Make Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings for the perfect crunch and flavor without the need of a deep fryer. Wings in the air fryer will be your new favorite way to make crispy chicken wings! The sauce is perfectly savory and punchy that keep you coming back for more.

Garlic Parmesan Wings in Air Fryer
Elevate your wing game with our Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings recipe. Whether you’re hosting a game day gathering or craving a tasty snack, these wings are a winner regardless whose playing on TV.
Pair them with our Chipotle Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip for a cool and spicy combo, or try serving them alongside Air Fryer Potato Wedges for the ultimate crispy duo.
Baking powder is the secret to getting super crispy chicken wings in the air fryer. It helps draw out moisture from the skin, allowing it to crisp up beautifully while cooking.
Crispy wings will always need a good sauce to pair with them! The homemade Garlic Parmesan Sauce adds a burst of flavor that will leave everyone wanting more.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to make with just a few ingredients
- Crispy and golden-brown wings without deep frying (!!!)
- The irresistible combination of garlic, parmesan, and a touch of smokiness
- Perfect for the big game, snacks, or as an appetizer everyone will love
Ingredients Needed
This recipe has two main components: the wings and the delicious Garlic Parmesan sauce. Head to the recipe below for measurements – this is just an overview.

You’ll need the following:
- Garlic cloves – Infuses the sauce with a bold, aromatic garlic taste that you can only get with fresh garlic.
- Chicken wings – The base of the recipe, offering a tender and juicy texture while crisping up beautifully in the air fryer.
- Baking powder – Helps create a crispy, golden skin by promoting even browning.
- Garlic powder – Adds a deep, savory garlic flavor to the seasoning blend.
- Onion powder – Enhances the seasoning with a subtle sweetness and savory depth.
- Salt – Balances the flavors and enhances the natural taste of the chicken.
- Smoked paprika – Brings a smoky, slightly sweet kick and adds a rich color.
- Black pepper – Adds a mild heat and a hint of earthiness to the seasoning.
- Unsalted butter – Creates the rich, creamy base for the Garlic Parmesan Sauce.
- Grated parmesan cheese – Provides a sharp, nutty flavor that complements the wings.
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap smoked paprika with regular paprika for a milder flavor.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the seasoning or sauce for extra heat.
- Replace parmesan with pecorino romano for a sharper cheese flavor.
- Not a sauce fan? Try out these Dry Rub Wings instead.

How to make Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings
Check out the recipe card below for more in-depth instructions.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F to ensure it’s ready for cooking the wings.
Dry Chicken Wings: Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel to help the seasoning stick.
Season the Chicken Wings: Mix together the baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, smoked paprika, and pepper in a small bowl. Combine the chicken wings with seasoning in a large bowl, tossing until evenly coated.
Cook the Wings: Arrange the seasoned wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, skin side down. Cook at 400°F for 10 minutes, flip the wings, and cook for another 10 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

If you notice the wings sticking to the basket or know your air fryer sticks, use some spray oil before placing your wings.
Prepare the Garlic Parmesan Sauce: Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, and stir in the grated parmesan cheese and onion powder until smooth.
Coat the Wings: Transfer the cooked wings to a mixing bowl, pour the Garlic Parmesan Sauce over them, and toss until the wings are fully coated.
Serve and Garnish: Serve the wings immediately, garnished with extra parmesan and chopped parsley, if desired.
Recipe Testing Notes and Tips
- Be sure to pat wings dry before seasoning. Removing excess moisture helps the seasoning stick better and ensures crispier skin.
- Ensure wings are in a single layer with space in the air fryer for even cooking.
- Adjust cooking times for larger or smaller wings.
- Use fresh garlic cloves to make the garlic flavor stand out in the sauce even more.

Recipe FAQs
You can, but you’ll need to thaw the wings beforehand and make sure they are dry before adding the seasoning to get the same crispy skin.
Add cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix or add a few dashes of hot sauce in the Garlic Parmesan Sauce.
Nope! Feel free to swap it out for paprika if that’s what you have on hand already.
Pair these wings with a crunchy coleslaw or veggie crudite. For a heartier meal, serve with seasoned sweet potato fries or a side of pasta salad like this Greek Pasta Salad.

Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings
Make Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings for the perfect crunch and flavor without much work. Wings in the air fryer will be your new favorite!
Ingredients
- 1 and ½ pounds chicken wings
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
For the Garlic Parmesan Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Pat the chicken wings dry with a paper towel and set aside.
- Mix together the baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, smoked paprika, and pepper in a small bowl or ramekin.
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken wings with seasoning mixture. Toss the wings until they are evenly coated with the seasoning.
- Place the seasoned chicken wings in the air fryer basket, making sure they are arranged in a single layer with some space between each wing with the skin side down first.
- Air fry the wings at 400°F for 10 minutes. After the first 10 minutes, flip the wings and continue to air fry for an additional 10 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy.
- While the wings are cooking, prepare the Garlic Parmesan Sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and onion powder into the garlic butter mixture. Continue to stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is well combined. Remove the saucepan from heat.
- Once the wings are done cooking in the air fryer, transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Pour the sauce over the wings and toss them until evenly coated.
- Serve immediately, and, if desired, garnish with additional grated parmesan and chopped parsley.
Notes
- The cooking time is based on average-sized chicken wings. You may need to adjust the cooking time depending on the size of your chicken wings. Always check for doneness by ensuring the wings are crispy and have reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F using a digital thermometer.
- Air fryer baskets range in size, so the batch sizes may result in longer time to prepare all chicken wings.
- Store leftover wings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore their crispiness.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 331Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 883mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 12g
Nutrition provided is only an estimate.