If you’re looking for a party appetizer that’ll have everyone crowding around your kitchen, the Crispy Baked Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe is your new best friend. Imagine wings that are shatteringly crisp out of the oven and then tossed in nutty Parmesan and silky olive oil—seriously, they’re impossible to resist! Whether you’re feeding friends for game night or just want something special for family dinner, this crowd-pleaser is as easy as it is irresistible. You don’t need special gadgets or tricky steps, just simple ingredients and a hot oven. Get ready to be converted: these wings disappear in minutes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of pantry staples, you’ll be amazed at how much flavor and crunch you can pack into every bite. Each ingredient in the Crispy Baked Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe plays a vital role, delivering bold seasoning, golden color, and that signature cheesy finish.
- Chicken wings (2 pounds, separated): Go for drumettes and flats for varied texture and extra crispy bits.
- Baking powder (1 tablespoon, aluminum-free): This secret ingredient creates that shatteringly crisp skin without frying.
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon): Adds a warm, savory kick that pairs perfectly with Parmesan.
- Onion powder (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the flavor with sweet, mellow depth.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Essential for highlighting every layer of flavor—don’t skip it!
- Black pepper (½ teaspoon): Gives a gentle heat and balances the richness of cheese and chicken.
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons): Helps the Parmesan cling to the wings and adds a silky finish.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (½ cup): The hero ingredient, providing nutty, salty goodness and golden color.
- Chopped fresh parsley (2 tablespoons, optional): Brightens up the dish with color and a hint of freshness.
- Extra Parmesan for garnish (optional): For drama and a pillowy cheesy surprise in every bite.
How to Make Crispy Baked Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Rack
Kick things off by heating your oven to 425°F, which ensures you’ll get that deliciously crunchy chicken skin. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment for easy cleanup, and set a wire rack on top. The rack lets heat reach all sides of your wings, so every piece comes out perfectly crispy—never soggy.
Step 2: Dry the Chicken Wings
Grab plenty of paper towels and pat the wings completely dry. This step is key; moisture on the skin prevents crisping. If you have a bit of extra time, let the wings air-dry for an hour in the fridge for even more crunch!
Step 3: Season the Wings Thoroughly
Toss the wings in a big bowl with baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Use your hands to coat every nook and cranny—ensure each wing gets a little love! The baking powder gets to work here, helping the skin blister and crisp while the spices soak in.
Step 4: Arrange and Bake
Lay the seasoned wings in a single layer on your prepared rack, giving them a small air gap so the hot oven air can circulate. Pop them in to bake for 40–45 minutes, flipping them after 20 minutes. By the end, you’ll see glorious golden edges and irresistible crispiness.
Step 5: Toss with Parmesan and Olive Oil
While the wings are still piping hot from the oven, transfer them to a big bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and cover them in that beautiful heap of grated Parmesan. Toss everything together so that every surface catches the cheese, ensuring no one misses out on the flavor.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
For the finishing touch, shower the wings with chopped fresh parsley and another sprinkle of Parmesan if you’d like. Serve them hot—you’ll be amazed how everyone flocks to the platter!
How to Serve Crispy Baked Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley not only adds a pop of color to your Crispy Baked Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe but also brings a bit of brightness that cuts through the rich cheese. If you can’t get enough Parmesan, grate a little extra over the top just before serving for an extra hit of that nutty, salty finish.
Side Dishes
Serve these wings alongside classic cooling sides like crisp celery sticks and creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing—a duo made in appetizer heaven! Need something heartier? Try roasted potato wedges or a big, vibrant salad to round out the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Pile the wings high on a rustic wooden board for a family-style feast, or arrange them neatly on a platter with plenty of dipping sauces. For parties, skewer individual wings with toothpicks, drizzle with ranch, and sprinkle with chives for a fun finger food presentation that looks far fancier than the effort you put in!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers of your Crispy Baked Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe, just let them cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to three days—though they’ll likely disappear much sooner.
Freezing
To freeze, arrange cooled wings on a parchment-lined tray and freeze until solid, then transfer into a freezer-safe bag. This way, the wings won’t stick together. They’ll keep well for up to two months and make a fabulous future snack or last-minute appetizer.
Reheating
To bring your wings back to crispy glory, reheat them on a rack in a 400°F oven for about 10 minutes, until hot and crunchy again. No microwaves for these beauties, please—the oven will preserve that deliciously crisp exterior!
FAQs
Can I use whole wings instead of separating them?
Absolutely! While separating wings into drumettes and flats makes them easier (and crispier!) to eat, you can bake whole wings as well—just increase the cooking time by 5 to 10 minutes and check for doneness.
Is there a substitute for baking powder?
There’s no perfect substitute if you want ultra-crispy skin like the Crispy Baked Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe delivers, but you can try a small sprinkle of cornstarch for a similar effect. Do make sure it’s aluminum-free baking powder if you stick with the original!
Can I make these wings ahead of time?
Definitely! Bake them earlier in the day, cool completely, and store in the fridge. Right before serving, reheat in a super-hot oven for about 10 minutes, then toss with Parmesan and olive oil for that fresh cheesy finish.
What’s the best way to make them extra crispy?
For the crunchiest results, refrigerate the wings uncovered for a few hours after seasoning but before baking. This helps dry out the skin more, giving you the extra bite that makes the Crispy Baked Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe a real standout.
Can I use pre-grated or shelf-stable Parmesan?
Freshly grated Parmesan melts and clings to the wings much better than the pre-grated stuff, which can be drier. If possible, grab a block and grate it yourself—it’s worth the effort!
Final Thoughts
If you want to impress your friends or just treat yourself, there’s nothing more rewarding than pulling a tray of these piping-hot wings out of the oven. The Crispy Baked Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe is truly a game-changer—easy enough for a weeknight, but flavorful and festive enough for any party. I hope you give it a try and watch as everyone reaches for seconds!
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Crispy Baked Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Crispy Baked Parmesan Chicken Wings are a delightful twist on traditional wings. Baked to golden perfection and coated with a flavorful Parmesan cheese mixture, they make a perfect appetizer or game day snack.
Ingredients
Chicken Wings:
- 2 pounds chicken wings, separated into drumettes and flats
Seasoning Mix:
- 1 tablespoon baking powder (aluminum-free)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Coating:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Extra Parmesan for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with a wire rack.
- Prepare Wings: Pat the chicken wings dry with paper towels.
- Toss with Seasonings: In a bowl, toss wings with baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Bake: Arrange wings on the wire rack, bake for 40–45 minutes, flipping halfway through until crispy.
- Coat with Parmesan: Toss hot wings with olive oil and Parmesan in a bowl.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan before serving hot.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, refrigerate the wings uncovered before baking.
- Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing and celery sticks for a classic touch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 5 wings
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
