My Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings are the crispiest wings you'll ever make at home and PACKED with big flavors. Perfect as an appetizer or snack for tailgates, barbecues, or any gathering, they will definitely be a hit and only take 45 minutes to make.
These Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings are the best method at home to get a crispy yet juicy and tender wing without the hassle of deep frying. I love to cook my wings in batches in the air fryer to make sure they are crispy on all sides before tossing in garlic, parmesan cheese, and chopped bacon. And the air fryer cooks them faster than the oven, so it's a win in my book!
My family has easily declared these wings their favorite that I've ever made, which is saying a lot since I love cooking them all different ways (try my smoked wings too). We've served these for tailgates, picnics, or just on a Saturday afternoon with friends.
Trust me when I say, they're truly restaurant-quality with less than 10 ingredients. Dip them in Southwest Ranch Dip or Jalapeno Ranch for an out-of-this-world combination.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Great for entertaining. Everyone will devour this platter of chicken wings when they arrive at the table. Kids love them too!
- Crispiest skin with no mess. The air fryer is quick to clean and keeps the mess contained, which makes these wings even simpler to make.
- Restaurant-quality flavors at home. If wings are your thing when you go to a sports bar, give these a try; I know you'll be impressed.
How to make air fryer garlic parmesan wings
Step 1: Fry bacon strips until crispy and save bacon grease for step 2. Once bacon is cooled, chop it up until it becomes crumb-like.
Step 2: Dry off wings with paper towel and toss them with cornstarch, salt, pepper, and bacon grease.
Step 3: Preheat air fryer to 375℉. Once preheated, cook wings for 28 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process.
Step 4: Melt butter in a small skillet. Finely mince the garlic. Once butter is melted, add in garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
Step 5: Coat wings with garlic butter and then bacon crumbles after they come out of the air fryer.
Step 6: Let wings cool for 2 minutes. Finely shred parmesan in the meantime. Add parmesan to wings, toss and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Make sure to pat the chicken wing skin very dry before cooking. Any moisture will prevent the skin from becoming super crispy.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer. They vary in size, so if you need to cook them in batches, do so for the best results.
- Grate the parmesan fresh. This gives the best flavor and texture for coating the wings.
- Toss the air fryer garlic parmesan wings when they're hot! This helps the flavorful toppings adhere evenly.
- Make sure you cook the bacon until crispy. You can easily do this ahead of time. Crispy is best for a texture that is unbeatable.
- Bake or grill the wings instead. You can easily bake these in the oven or grill them if you desire or don't have an air fryer.
Storage
Store any leftover wings in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer until warmed through for a few minutes. You can also reheat in the microwave or oven too, but the skin won't be as crispy.
If you want to freeze the wings, place them in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months.
What to serve with garlic parmesan wings
These Parmesan Wings are so full of flavor that they are great just on their own. To send them over the top, serve alongside classic carrot and celery sticks for crunch and freshness.
Of course, they also pair very well with a dipping sauce on the side. Consider ranch, a mild hot sauce, or my own BBQ sauce.
FAQs
Yes, feel free to add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to serve for the wings.
You can easily use pecorino or even grated cheddar cheese.
Use a meat thermometer, and when they are 165ºF, you know they are ready to eat.
More Easy appetizer recipes
Recipe
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings
Equipment
- Skillet/Pan
- Air Fyer or grill
Ingredients
- 12 Wings
- 4 Strips of Bacon
- 3 tablespoon Bacon Grease
- 2 tablespoon Corn Starch
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- 2 Garlic Cloves
- ½ Cup Fine Shredded Parmigiano Reggiano or parmesan cheese of your choice
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fry bacon strips until crispy and save bacon grease for step 2. Once bacon is cooled, chop it up until it becomes crumb-like. 4 Strips of Bacon
- Dry off wings with a paper towel and toss them with cornstarch, salt, pepper, and bacon grease. 12 Wings 2 Tbsp Corn Starch Salt and Pepper to taste 3 Tbsp Bacon Grease
- Preheat air fryer to 375℉. Once preheated, cook wings for 28 minutes, flipping them half way through cooking process.
- Melt butter in a small skillet. 2 Tbsp Butter
- Finely mince the garlic. 2 Garlic Cloves
- Once butter is melted, add garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Coat wings with garlic butter and then bacon crumbles after they come out of the air fryer.
- Let wings cool for 2 minutes. Finely shred parmesan in the meantime. ½ Cup Fine Shredded Parmigiano Reggiano
- Add parmesan to wings, toss and enjoy!
Notes
- Make sure to pat the chicken wing skin very dry before cooking. Any moisture will prevent the skin from becoming super crispy.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer. They vary in size, so if you need to cook them in batches, do so for the best results.
- Grate the parmesan fresh. This gives the best flavor and texture for coating the wings.
- Toss the air fryer garlic parmesan wings when they're hot! This helps the flavorful toppings adhere evenly.
- Make sure you cook the bacon until crispy. You can easily do this ahead of time. Crispy is best for a texture that is unbeatable.
- Bake or grill the wings instead. You can easily bake these in the oven or grill them if you desire or don't have an air fryer.
Nutrition
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Michelle Lagstrom says
I made these and they’re so good! I definitely recommend giving this recipe a try.