Chicken wings have a funny history. For a long time, they were overlooked and inexpensive. Then suddenly—boom—they became a fan favorite. Today, we’re letting wings fly in a different direction with this Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings recipe.
Instead of Buffalo sauce, these wings are coated in garlicky, savory parmesan goodness. They’re crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and surprisingly easy to make. Even better? The air fryer gives you that fried texture without all the oil or mess.
This recipe is perfect for game day, weekend meals, or when you want something fun that still works for meal prep. Plus, as a side benefit, you’ll probably keep the vampires away too… which feels like a win. 🙂
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Why We Love Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings
Air frying creates crisp, golden skin while keeping the meat tender and juicy. These wings pair beautifully with roasted herb potatoes and simple sautéed greens, making them feel complete and satisfying without being complicated.
This recipe was inspired by my favorite BBQ wings, mostly because there are so many ways to cook wings. You can bake, grill, deep fry, pan-fry, or air fry depending on your time and equipment. Air frying just happens to be one of the easiest and quickest options.
Ingredient Notes & Tips
Chicken Wings
- Pat the wings dry before seasoning. This helps them crisp up.
- Finely grated parmesan works best so it sticks evenly.
- Fresh garlic adds big flavor, but jarred minced garlic works, too.
Herb Potato Wedges
- Golden or Yukon potatoes crisp nicely in the air fryer.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket—cook in batches if needed.
Swiss Chard
- Stems cook more slowly than leaves. Chop them smaller or sauté first.
- Any sturdy green works here if chard isn’t available.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings Ingredients
For Chicken Wings
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken wing pieces
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Cooking spray
And the Herb Potato Wedges
- 1 pound gold potatoes, sliced into wedges
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For Sautéed Swiss Chard
- 4 cups coarsely chopped Swiss chard
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Equipment: Cosori Pro Air Fryer
- Preheat your air fryer if you can to save a few minutes cooking time and ensure a quality result for your Air Fryer Parmesan Chicken Wings
- Ditch the aerosol spray cans and opt for an oil mister or bottle to avoid potential chipping in your fryer basket
- Keep your fryer basket spacious so air can circulate to make your wings crispy
- Shop for organic or free-range chicken wings and organic potato and chard to minimize antibiotics and pesticides, if possible. You might have an incredible farmers market near you to source your meal prep recipes.
How to Customize this Recipe
- Add red pepper flakes for heat
- Toss wings with melted butter and extra parmesan after cooking
- Use pecorino instead of parmesan for sharper flavor
- Add lemon zest for brightness
Want more ideas? Check out our Workweek Lunch collection of wing-inspired meal prep recipes.
Dietary Swaps
- Gluten-Free: Naturally gluten-free
- Dairy-Free: Skip parmesan and use garlic-forward seasoning instead
- Vegetarian: Swap wings for cauliflower florets and air fry until crisp
If you love no-reheat lunches, you might also enjoy our guide to
👉 https://workweeklunch.com/no-reheat-meal-prep/
FAQs
Yes. These wings work well for meal prep. Cook them fully, cool completely, and store unsauced if you want maximum crispiness later.
Absolutely. Freeze cooked wings for up to 6 months. Reheat in the air fryer straight from frozen.
They likely need more space or time. Try cooking in smaller batches or adding a few extra minutes.
Yes, but thaw and pat them dry first for best results.
Nope. Air fryers get wings crispy without it.
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- Strawberry Salad With Chicken
- Easy Bourbon Chicken & Quick Veggie Rice
- Veggie Mac and Cheese With Cauliflower, Zucchini, and Bell Pepper
- Chicken Waldorf Salad With Quinoa (No Mayo!)
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
Ingredients
For Chicken Wings
- 1.5 lbs. chicken wing pieces
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Cooking spray
For Herb Potato Wedges
- 1 lb. golden potatoes sliced into wedges
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Sautéed Swiss Chard
- 4 cups coarsely chopped Swiss chard
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Instructions
For the wings:
- Pre-heat your air fryer to 400 degrees F
- Combine chicken wings, parmesan cheese, garlic and sea salt in a large mixing bowl and toss to coat wings.
- Spray air fryer with cooking spray and add 8-9 wings to the basket. Air fry at for 12 minutes. Use tongs to turn wings and fry an additional 12 minutes. Repeat with remaining wings.
While wings cook, prepare sides:
- Heat oven to 425ºF and line a medium baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine potatoes in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Add dry seasonings and toss to coat. Pour onto the baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Carefully turn potato wedges using tongs and bake an additional 15-20 minutes.
- Heat olive oil over medium heat in a medium pan. Add swiss chard and garlic. Sauté for 7-8 minutes, stirring regularly. Season with salt and pepper.
- Divide swiss chard, potatoes, and chicken wings evenly among 4 meal prep containers.
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