Crispy Garlic Parmesan Wings
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Sep 30, 2025 
These tender, crispy and flavorful Crispy Parmesan Wings are oven-baked with a crunchy breading for a delicious party snack that happens to be a (slightly) healthier option!
Sommer’s Recipe Notes
Small yet flavorful, handy to eat with your fingers, and perfect to dip… Is there a tastier or more beloved game day party snack than the iconic Oven Baked Chicken Wings recipe? I think not.
But, just because a food is classic doesn’t mean there is only one delicious version! From Chili Lime and Habanero Peach to Lemon Pepper, we consider the humble chicken wing to be a blank canvas for nearly any tasty spices and sauces.
Why You’ll Love These Crispy Garlic Parmesan Wings
- Simple – These wings are easy to bake in the oven with a crisp, irresistible coating, and are finished with an extra sprinkling of cheese.
- Slightly healthier – Take a bite and it feels like a breaded fried wing, but is a slightly healthier version that doesn’t require deep frying!
Whether it’s game day or a party snack, don’t miss out on serving up these easy-to-make and delicious parmesan wings!
Ingredients and Tips
- Chicken wings – Trimmed, sometimes called party wings. “Trimmed wings” are wings that have any excess skin flaps trimmed off, so they look more appealing. You can buy them trimmed or do it yourself.
- Cornstarch and baking powder – This combo makes the most crunchy and crisp chicken wing skin.
- Garlic powder – Deep, earthy, and savory spice that really makes the parmesan pop.
- Butter – Make sure this is melted.
- Parmesan cheese – Use grated, not shredded parmesan.
- Italian seasoning – You can use either the store-bought kind, or try our Homemade Italian Seasoning blend.
- Crushed red pepper – Optional for slightly spicy garlic Parmesan wings (or black pepper for less heat).
Recipe Variations and Dietary Swaps
- Herbs – Instead of Italian seasoning, use a combo of fresh parsley, thyme and rosemary.
- Lemon – Mix in some fresh lemon zest into the coating for a citrus twist.
- Boneless – Instead of wings, use chicken tenders for a boneless option.
How To Make Crispy Garlic Parmesan Wings
Tips for Success – For the crispiest Baked Parmesan Wings, be sure they do not touch on the baking sheets! Also, make sure to line the cookie sheet with parchment paper or a wire rack.
Find the full Crispy Baked Chicken Wings recipe with ingredient proportions, detailed instructions, and a video tutorial in the printable form at the bottom of the post.
Storage Notes
- Storing Leftovers – Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating Leftovers – Reheat in the oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or in the air fryer to revive that crispiness.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the baked wings warm by themselves as an appetizer, snack, or fun side dish.
Although they are very flavorful and technically don’t need a sauce – c’mon, we all love to dunk a crunchy breaded chicken wing into a delicious dipping sauce! A few of our favorites include:
- Ranch dressing
- Blue cheese dressing
- Caesar dressing
- Alfredo sauce
- Garlic sauce
- Marinara
- Creamy pesto
Or pair them with any other rich and creamy sauce you like!
Crispy Garlic Parmesan Wings Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 – 2 ½ pounds chicken wings trimmed (sometimes called party wings)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder divided
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese divided (not shredded)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Set out a large baking sheet, and line it with parchment paper or foil.
- Set out a large mixing bowl. Place the trimmed chicken wings into the bowl. Add in 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and ½ teaspoon of garlic powder. Toss well to coat the wings in the dry mixture. Then lay the wings out on the baking sheet in an even layer, making sure the wings do not touch.
- Place the baking sheet in the hot oven and bake the wings for 20 minutes. Then flip the wings over and bake for another 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a shallow microwave-safe bowl and set aside. Then set out a clean mixing bowl and combine 3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, the remaining 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper to taste. Mix well.
- Once the wings have baked for 40 minutes, remove them from the oven. One at a time, dunk each wing in the melted butter, tap off the excess, and then roll it in the Parmesan cheese mixture. Set each wing back on the baking sheet.
- Once all the wings are coated in the Parmesan mixture, place them back in the oven to bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes, until golden.
- When the wings come out of the oven, sprinkle the tops with the remaining quarter cup of Parmesan cheese. Serve warm, as is, or with dipping sauces like ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or garlicy Caesar dressing!
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
No, do not cover the wings! Any covering will hold in moisture and make the breading soggy.
Using a combination of cornstarch and baking powder creates a perfectly crunchy coating. The baking powder draws the moisture out of the skin as the wings bake. It is also important not to overcrowd the baking sheet and to bake them for the full listed time.
If you want to add a garlic parmesan wing sauce to your baked chicken wings recipe, I recommend heating up the sauce and using it as a dipping sauce. This will ensure you have super crispy wings, but they will also have an extra garlicky flavor with the garlic-parmesan sauce.
Sure! You can air fry the wings at 400 degrees F for 18-20 minutes, flipping once in the middle. Then coat the wings and air fry again for 3-5 minutes. However, the air fryer garlic parmesan wings MUST go into the air fryer in a single layer; therefore, you may have to work in batches.
I love this healthier version of chicken wings! They tasted incredible too, I’ll definitely be making these again.
These were the perfect game day snack! I love that they’re baked instead of fried. Can’t wait to make them again for the super bowl!
These wings were delicious, I will definitely be making them again soon.