If there’s anything I can’t resist, it’s fried chicken. Growing up, when my metabolism was running triple its current speed, I would order meals from Popeyes and share them with my younger brother – you know, the one that comes with fried drumsticks, thighs and a side of their seasoned fries and mashed potato. I don’t know what they put in their food, but it kept me hooked. With age, I began to eliminate as much deep fried foods from my diet, to avoid clogged arteries and pores 😩 with minimal exercise.
Why Air Frying?
Air frying offers several advantages over deep frying, which is why it has become such a popular choice for healthier cooking nowadays. Here are some of the key reasons why it is often considered the better alternative:
- OIL CONTENT: Air frying uses significantly less oil than deep frying, with some recipes requiring absolutely no oil at all! This reduces fat content and calorie intake, making it a healthier cooking method.
- RESULTS: Unlike deep frying, which requires submerging food in hot oil, air frying cooks food by circulating hot air around it, still creating a crispy exterior while retaining moisture inside.
- CLEANUP: Cleanup after air frying simply requires washing the air fryer basket and wiping down the interior of the appliance, which is much easier than cleanup after deep frying! I mean, what do you do with all that oil?
Thanks to one of the best inventions in the culinary space, the air fryer, we can still indulge in fried chicken, using a guilt-free method to “fry” your food. Below is one of my (and my toddler’s) favorite way to enjoy healthier chicken wings, coated in a garlic butter parmesan sauce. If you enjoyed my recipe, don’t forget to tag me @rackoflam on social media and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more air fryer recipes!
Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe w/ Garlic Butter Parmesan Sauce
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 3 lbs wings (flats separated from drumettes)
- cooking oil spray
SEASONING
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp sea salt
- several cracks of black pepper
- 2½ tsp baking powder
SAUCE
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup butter
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Pat your wings dry with paper towel, then transfer them into a large bowl.
- Combine the seasoning ingredients until well blended, then apply the seasoning onto the wings, mixing with tongs or your hands until coated evenly.
- Spray air fryer basket with thin coating of cooking oil. Place wings into the basket, avoiding any overcrowding or overlapping.
- Air fry at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
- To prepare the sauce, melt the butter in a small pot or saucepan, then add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute (or as needed). Add parmesan cheese, then mix sauce ingredients together until well combined.
- Toss the air fried wings in the sauce and serve immediately. Enjoy!
