Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

These garlic parmesan chicken wings are a crowd-pleasing appetizer that never fails to impress. They are perfect for game nights, parties, or simply as a treat for yourself.

There's something magical about this garlic parmesan chicken wings recipe! With their crispy texture and irresistible combination of garlic, parmesan, and butter, they will indeed become a favorite among family and friends. 

Whether hosting a gathering or simply craving a delicious snack, these golden brown garlic parmesan wings will never disappoint. 

Check out more garlic parmesan recipes: Roasted Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes, Chicken Parmesan Garlic Pasta, and Garlic Butter Noodles with Parmesan.

Jump to recipe

• Why should you make garlic parm wings?
• Recipe ingredients
• How to make garlic parmesan chicken wings?
• Air fryer garlic parmesan chicken wings
• Expert Tips
• Recipe FAQ
• What to serve with the wings?
• More chicken wing recipes
• Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

Why should you make garlic parm wings?

• Irresistible flavor: The combination of garlic, parmesan cheese, and butter is out of this world. 

• Two cooking methods: You can bake or air fry them; there is no need for greasy and messy deep frying. 

• Crispy and tender: These wings perfectly balance crispy skin and tender, juicy meat. 

• Easy to make: Season and bake some crispy wings, then mix them with that fantastic buttery garlic parmesan sauce. 

• Perfect party appetizer or satisfying main course.

Recipe ingredients

• Chicken wings provide a juicy and tender meat base for the flavors to cling to. They can be easily found at most grocery stores and are usually sold in packs of drumettes and wingettes.
  • If you only have whole wings, you can easily divide them at the joint (See Expert Tips).

• Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty, and slightly tangy flavor. Freshly grated cheese works best, as it melts nicely and adheres to the meat.

• Fresh garlic provides a strong, delightful, garlicky punch that complements the other ingredients. 

• Butter adds richness and a luscious mouthfeel to the garlic parmesan sauce, making everything better. It helps bind the flavors together and provides a smooth texture. 
  • It’s preferable to use unsalted butter to have better control over the overall saltiness of the dish. If you only have salted butter, adjust the amount of extra salt you use accordingly. 

• Garlic powder enhances the garlic flavor even further. 
• Onion powder brings a subtle and sweet onion flavor to the mix.
• Red pepper flakes for a decent spicy kick to the wings. Adjust the amount to your desired level of spiciness.
• Fresh parsley adds a pop of vibrant color, flavor, and freshness. 

• Baking powder helps achieve a crispy and golden exterior on the chicken wings. It creates a chemical reaction that causes the wings to puff slightly while baking, resulting in a light and crunchy texture.

• Fine sea salt or kosher salt and ground black pepper.

How to make garlic parmesan chicken wings?

Baked wings

• Seasoning: Mix salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, and baking powder in a small bowl. 
• Dry the chicken pieces thoroughly with paper towels. Place them in a large bowl, sprinkle, and coat them with the seasoning-baking powder mix (1). 

• Bake the seasoned wings on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until crispy and cooked through (2,3). 
• Make the sauce during the last 5 minutes of the baking time. 

Garlic parmesan wing sauce

• Melt the butter in a small saucepan or a small bowl in the microwave.
• Add the grated garlic, finely chopped parsley, salt, pepper, and red chili flakes (4). 

• Transfer the baked wings to a large serving bowl. Pour the butter sauce over them and mix well to coat. Add the freshly grated parmesan and toss again. Serve immediately.

Tip:  Don’t be tempted to add the parmesan to the melted butter mixture. I’ve tried that version several times and was never happy with the results; the chances of the cheese seizing and clumping together are too high.

Freshly grated parmesan tossed with the hot wings is the way to go, the cheese will start melting slightly on the meat, and it will feel and taste divine. 

Air fryer garlic parmesan chicken wings

If you choose to cook the chicken in the air fryer, I recommend cooking only about 1.5 lbs wings/ 680 g or cooking the 2 lb/ 900 – 1 kg in two batches. For crispiness, the chicken parts should be arranged in the basket in a single layer.

• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/200°C.
• In the meantime, season the chicken as instructed above. 
• Place wings in the air fryer basket in a single layer (you must work in batches).
• Air fry the garlic parm wings for 10 minutes. Flip and cook for another 8 minutes or so until the wings are crispy and cooked through. 
• Transfer to a sheet pan and keep them warm until you cook the second batch.
• Place all cooked wings in a large bowl and mix them with the garlic sauce.

Expert Tips

Divide chicken wings at the joint

• Locate the joint where the drumette (the meatier part) and the wingette meet. Bend the wing at the joint to locate the natural separation between these two parts. You'll notice a slight crease where the joint is located.
• Cut at the joint using a sharp knife. If you encounter resistance, move the knife a little to the right or left to find the right spot between the two parts.
• Remove the wingtip if it’s there; it is often already removed. 

Tips for extra crispiness

• Pat dry the chicken before seasoning or coating it; moisture on the surface of the wings can hinder crispiness. 

• Use baking powder: It contains alkaline compounds that interact with the chicken skin, resulting in a light and crispy texture. Be sure to use baking powder and not baking soda, as they have different effects.

• Bake at a high temperature around 400°F to 425°F (200°C to 220°C). The hot oven helps to quickly crisp up the chicken skin, giving it a delightful crunch.

• Use a wire rack to ensure optimal air circulation and even browning. Using a wire rack is not mandatory but recommendable. The hot air will circulate better, making the chicken super crispy on both sides without flipping it halfway through.

• Flip the wings halfway through the cooking time, especially if you are not using a wire rack. 

Recipe FAQ

What to serve with the wings?

Although serving wings with a dipping sauce is very popular, I don’t recommend it in this case. These garlic parm wings are incredibly flavorful and delicious, and I feel that any additional sauce will ruin that flavor.

Instead, serve them with the following: 

• Raw vegetables like carrot or celery sticks, bell pepper slices, cherry tomatoes, kohlrabi, etc

• Bread, baguette, or bread rolls. Try our Yogurt Soda Bread or some Yeast Bread Rolls.

• Potatoes: Oven-baked potato wedges, sweet potato slices, sauteed sweet potatoes, etc.

• Fresh salads: A mix of greens, such as lettuce, spinach, or arugula, topped with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions and tossed with a tangy vinaigrette dressing.

More chicken wing recipes