Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Recipe – Instant Pot

Garlic Parmesan Wings are the perfect party appetizer or even a great dinner. They are full of garlic and parmesan flavor, crispy on the outside and so easy to make with the Instant Pot! Low carb and completely gluten-free, I promise you can’t eat just one! 

Guys this is my first recipe using my new Instant Pot. I was nervous at first because it seemed so foreign to me, but one of my good friends has been cooking almost every night with her Instant Pot, so I called her and she walked me through the basics. It was so easy, and I’m so happy with this purchase, I totally recommend everyone having this kitchen staple.

But moving on to the part where I tell you about these crazy good garlic parmesan wings. For some reason, I’ve always had a hard time getting my wing recipes just right…but using my Instant Pot ended up working out perfectly. 

My garlic parmesan wings don’t require a goopy sauce, but instead, they are tossed with grated parmesan cheese right before you are ready to eat them. Not only do I love eating them while they are piping hot, but I also love having leftovers the next day too. I hope you guys enjoy this easy low carb garlic parmesan wing recipe as much as my family does. 

Are Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings Healthy?

Plain chicken wings, in general, are a healthy option. They are low in calories and have 0 carbs. Where you will get the calories from it going to be the sauces. 

In this low carb garlic parmesan chicken wing recipe only contains ½ cup of parmesan cheese for all 28 wings, so also not bad at all. Now if you don’t want the cheese for fewer calories then just stick to the oil, butter, and garlic and they still will taste amazing. 

Are Chicken Wings Keto-Friendly?

Yes, these chicken wings are a great keto and low carb meal that you can have. Seeing that they are not coated in flour or breadcrumbs makes them perfect for all of you who are eating low carb. 

The question is though, “How many carbs are in these wings?” Well for starters one plain chicken wing with the skin on contains 0 grams of carbohydrates. Can’t beat that right? Just keep in mind that it’s all about the sauces that you put on your wings that can add the carbs, so just be careful if you’re counting carbs.  

What Ingredients are in Garlic Parmesan Wings?

Chicken Wings – Can’t have garlic parmesan wings without the wings! I buy fresh wings but frozen wings are ok too. 

Parmesan Cheese – Grated parmesan cheese is used after the wings are all cooked. Use a mixture of parmesan and dried parsley flakes and toss the wings right when they come out of the oven. 

Butter & Olive Oil – A combo of melted butter and olive oil are used to coat the wings as soon as they come out of the Instant Pot. Then baked right away. 

Spices – Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Mix all of these spices together and coat the wings before they go into the Instant Pot. It’s a great combo of seasoning for honestly just about any meat. 

Garlic – Fresh chopped garlic is mixed with the butter and oil. I used about 2 tbsp of fresh garlic, but feel free to add more if you want. I tend to always feel that you can’t have enough garlic. 

Benefits of Making Wings in an Instant Pot

Making wings in my Instant Pot is my new and ONLY way of cooking wings! It’s beyond easy and so much quicker. Plus you don’t have to worry about whether or not they are cooked. 

When you pressure cook your wings they are just about fully cooked, all they need is about 8-10 minutes in the oven to crisp up. 

Should I Use Frozen Chicken Wings or Fresh?

I always prefer using fresh wings, but using frozen wings is ok if you don’t have any fresh ones on hand. I tend to get nervous when cooking foods that are completely frozen due to the fact that bacteria can breed when the meat reaches between 40-140 degrees. The risk isn’t too great, but I always err on the side of caution. 

So if your wings are frozen, just thaw them out before cooking. Place the frozen wings in the fridge overnight to thaw, or leave out for a few hours on the counter.

How to Make Keto Garlic Parmesan Wings

Making homemade garlic parmesan wings are so easy. Why? Because having an Instant Pot is going to make your life so much easier and these wings will be a staple in your kitchen. Follow my instructions for these yummy wings: 

Step 1: Instant Pot

Ok, start off by seasoning your wings. In a small bowl combining 2 tsp of salt, 2 tsp black pepper, 2 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp onion powder, and 1 tsp paprika together.

Sprinkle over the wings a little bit at a time, making sure to coat the wings completely. 

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Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the instant pot. Place the metal trivet inside the pot. Now place your wings on top of the trivet.

Before you turn on the instant pot, close the lid and make sure the knob at the top is turned to the sealed position. Press the pressure cook button, then set pressure cook timer for 6 minutes. Keep in mind that it will take about 15 minutes to reach the pressure level. 

In the meantime preheat the oven to 525 degrees.

When the pressure cooking is complete, carefully do a quick release of the pressure. BE CAREFUL! I use a dish towel or oven mitt to vent it otherwise, you will get burnt. Let the IP release for about 2-3 minutes before removing the lid. 

Using tongs remove the wings from the pot and place them in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Baking

In a small bowl combine the melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp pepper.

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Pour over the wings and toss. 

Place the wings on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and drizzle the remaining garlic oil over the wings. Bake for about 10 minutes. For crispier wings, broil for about 2-4 minutes. 

Combine the parmesan cheese and dried parsley together. When the wings are done, take them out of the oven and place them into a bowl. Immediately toss with the cheese mixture and serve while hot. 

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• For even crispier wings, stick them back in the oven for 5 minutes after covering them in the cheese and garlic

Tips for Making the Best Garlic Parmesan Wings

• If you buy fresh whole wings they need to be cut. Cut them into 3 pieces: the wingtip, the wing, and the drummette. First, remove the wingtip, and either keep to make stock with or throw away. Second, you need to cut the wing and drummette apart. Cut the two pieces where the joint is.
• For added flavor, you can grate your own parmesan cheese instead of buying pre-grated. 
• If using frozen wings add extra time to the cooking time. About 5-10 minutes should do it. 
• For easy clean up make sure to put parchment paper or foil down before baking them. 
• Using a wire rack on top of the parchment paper will help the chicken cook on both sides.

How to Make Wings Crispier

A few tips to make your wings a bit more crispy:

• The oil will help the skin to crisp up so make sure to use it.
• Using a baking rack will allow the fat to drip down onto the pan so that the skin gets crispy. 
• After the wings have finished cooking, broil them for about 5 minutes.
• Coating the wings in baking powder will change the alkaline levels and will make the skin browner.
• Stick the wings back in the oven after coating them with the garlic and cheese. This will crisp up the skin and cheese nicely together.

Fried Chicken Wings vs Baked Wings

If you own a deep fryer then you can definitely make these garlic parmesan wings in your fryer. 

1. Preheat your deep fryer to 355 degrees.
2. Fry the wings in small batches until they are brown and crispy. Keep in mind that cooking times will vary depending on the size of your wings. To be safe cut into the largest one to make sure it’s fully cooked. 

What Does Baking Powder Do to Chicken Wings?

I didn’t know about this trick beforehand but it’s a pretty interesting “cooking trick.” Apparently, if you coat your chicken wings in baking powder, the baking powder will then change the alkaline levels and will make the skin browner. The baking powder draws moisture to the surface of the skin so it can evaporate, making the skin crispier. 

Don’t use baking powder if you are cooking your wings in the IP. 

But if you are just baking the wings in the oven, then pat them dry and toss them in some baking powder. And pop them in the oven. Before you know it, you’ll have some nice crispy wings. 

Different Variations of Chicken Wings

Wings are one of those things that you can make several different variations based on what you like or based on what others like but here are a few ideas: 

• Buffalo wings
• Sweet Chili wings
• BBQ wings
• Salt & Vinegar wings
• Honey BBQ wings
• Jamaican Jerk wings 

What to Serve with Wings – Sides that Go with Wings

One of the best things about these wings is that they really are just so good on their own. They can be served as an appetizer or honestly, they can be turned into a meal. My husband and I have had these wings as our dinner and it’s delicious. You can serve them with a good green salad and now you have a full dinner! 

If you choose to serve them as an appetizer, a few other good appetizers you can serve them with is:

• Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Spinach Artichoke Dip
• Low Carb Mozzarella Sticks
• Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
• Mango Salsa
• Avocado Salsa
• Deviled Eggs
• Homemade Salsa…and the list goes on. 

What Dipping Sauces Go with Garlic Parmesan Wings?

These wings are so good that honestly, you don’t even need a dipping sauce. But I know some of you out there can’t eat wings without a sauce (like me). So if that’s you then here are a few dipping options for you:

• Blue Cheese Dressing – this is my personal dipping favorite
• Ranch Dressing 
• Creamy Caesar Dressing 
• Parmesan Peppercorn Dressing 

Other Diets This Recipe is Good For

When you go to a restaurant it’s pretty rare that you will be able to order any type of wing recipe that is gluten-free. 99% of them are coated in flour, which is a total bummer especially since it’s really not even necessary. These low carb garlic parmesan wings are 100% gluten-free!! 

My friend who has celiac disease kept asking me and double-checking to make sure she could have them, I kept telling her, yes yes I promise completely gluten-free!  

Unfortunately, these are not dairy-free hence the name Garlic “parmesan” wings. But have no fear, I have a way to make them dairy-free as well. 

First of all, make sure to use a vegan butter like Earth Balance. Second of all, don’t toss them in the parmesan cheese at the very end. My mom doesn’t eat dairy and I’ve made a big batch of wings for herself without the cheese, and she loves them. 

Can You Make Garlic Parmesan WIngs Ahead of Time?

Honestly, these wings are the best when served hot right away. But if you want to make them ahead of time to save yourself some time you can. The biggest thing to keep in mind is that they might lose their crispiness. 

If you are making a whole batch ahead of time then put them all on a baking sheet and reheat in the oven at 250-300 degrees. I don’t like to put the temperature too high in case they dry out. 

How to Store Garlic Parmesan Wings

Storing your wings is easy peasy…either transfer the leftovers to an airtight container or put them on a plate and cover with foil. They will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the fridge. Perfect for grabbing a few of them out a time. 

How to Properly Reheat Chicken Wings

Reheating your leftover wings can be done in 3 ways.

The most common proper way is to put them onto a baking tray and put it in the oven at 250 – 300 degrees.  It should take about 10 minutes or so to reheat. 

Your second option is to put them in your toaster oven, that’s always my mom’s go-to option. I don’t own one so I don’t do this one. 

And the third way is by putting them in the microwave. I recommend putting them into a microwave-safe container with the lid cracked open. It helps to prevent them from drying out. Microwave for about 30-45 seconds. Some people don’t like using microwaves so if that’s the case then stick with options one and two. 

More Keto Appetizer Recipes

If you’re in the mood for some other Low Carb Appetizers then try our:

• Spinach Artichoke Dip
• Best Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Crispy Low Carb Onion Rings
• Keto Mozzarella Sticks

They all are Keto-friendly and low carb, and will be a hit at your next party!

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