Instant Pot Air Fryer Recipes

So you’re craving something tasty but too lazy to spend forever in the kitchen, huh? Same. We’ve all been there, staring into the fridge like it’s a portal to Narnia, hoping a gourmet meal will magically appear. Well, spoiler alert: it won’t. But what if I told you there’s a gadget that comes pretty darn close to magic? Enter the Instant Pot Air Fryer combo. It’s like having a sous chef who also moonlights as a personal trainer for your food, getting it all crispy without the guilt. Today, we’re diving headfirst into making **Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings** that are so good, your local takeout joint might just start sending you hate mail.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

Okay, let’s be real. Who doesn’t love a good chicken wing? But the deep-frying mess? The “will it be raw inside or burnt outside?” anxiety? No thanks. This Instant Pot Air Fryer concoction solves all of that. First, we pressure cook those wings, making them fall-off-the-bone tender. Then, we unleash the air fryer lid, transforming them into golden, crispy perfection. It’s practically idiot-proof, even I didn’t mess it up! You get that satisfying crunch without bathing your kitchen in oil, and the flavor? Oh, the flavor. It’s a garlic-parm party in your mouth, and everyone’s invited.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather your gladiators, er, ingredients! Nothing too fancy here, just good old pantry staples ready to become legendary.

• **Chicken Wings (about 2-3 lbs):** Flats and drums, whatever floats your boat. Pro tip: If they’re frozen, you can often cook them from frozen in the Instant Pot, but thawed is always a bit easier for even seasoning.
• **Chicken Broth or Water (1 cup):** Your Instant Pot needs a bit of liquid to do its pressure-cooking thing. Broth adds extra flavor, water is just fine too.
• **Olive Oil (1 tbsp):** Just a little drizzle for the crisp factor.
• **Garlic Powder (1 tsp):** Because everything is better with garlic. Don’t fight me on this.
• **Smoked Paprika (1/2 tsp):** For that lovely color and a hint of smoky goodness.
• **Salt & Black Pepper (to taste):** The OG flavor enhancers.
• **Unsalted Butter (1/4 cup, melted):** The secret weapon for sticky, delicious sauce.
• **Minced Garlic (2-3 cloves, or 1 tbsp jarred):** Fresh is best, but jarred works when you’re in a hurry (and let’s be honest, you’re using an Instant Pot, so you’re probably in a hurry).
• **Grated Parmesan Cheese (1/2 cup):** The star of the show! Don’t skimp.
• **Fresh Parsley (2 tbsp, chopped):** For a pop of color and freshness. Totally optional, but makes you look fancy.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get this kitchen party started! Follow these steps, and you’ll be chowing down in no time.

1. **Prep Those Wings:** Pat your chicken wings super dry with paper towels. This is crucial for crispiness, seriously! If they’re watery, they’ll steam, not crisp. Season them generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
2. **Into the Instant Pot:** Pour 1 cup of chicken broth (or water) into your Instant Pot liner. Place the seasoned wings on the trivet or a steamer basket inside the Instant Pot. **Avoid stacking them too much** if you can, for more even cooking.
3. **Pressure Cook Time!** Secure the lid, make sure the vent is sealed, and set your Instant Pot to Manual/Pressure Cook (High Pressure) for **8 minutes**. Once it’s done, let it natural release for 5 minutes, then do a quick release of any remaining pressure. Carefully remove the wings to a large bowl.
4. **Dry & Drizzle:** Discard any liquid in the Instant Pot liner (but don’t clean it yet, we’re using the Air Fryer lid next!). Give your now-cooked wings another pat down with paper towels. Drizzle them with about 1 tablespoon of olive oil and toss to coat lightly.
5. **Air Fryer Magic:** Place the trivet back in your Instant Pot liner. Arrange the wings in a single layer on the air fryer basket that comes with your Air Fryer lid. You might need to do this in batches. **Don’t overcrowd the basket!** Air needs to circulate for max crisp.
6. **Get Crispy!** Place the Air Fryer lid on your Instant Pot. Set it to Air Fry at **380°F (195°C)** for 10 minutes. Flip the wings, then air fry for another 8-10 minutes, or until they’re gloriously golden brown and super crispy.
7. **Whip Up the Sauce:** While the last batch of wings is air frying, melt your butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Stir in the minced garlic and Parmesan cheese.
8. **Toss & Serve:** Once all the wings are done, transfer them to a clean large bowl. Pour the garlic-parm sauce over the top, add the chopped parsley, and toss to coat every single delicious wing. Serve immediately and watch them disappear!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Nobody’s perfect, but we can avoid common pitfalls, right? Learn from my past kitchen mishaps!

• **Wet Wings are Sad Wings:** Not patting the wings dry before seasoning and air frying is a rookie mistake. Water = steam = soggy skins. We want crispy!
• **Overcrowding the Basket:** I know, I know, you want to cook them all at once. But stuffing too many wings into the air fryer basket prevents proper airflow, leaving you with unevenly cooked, less-than-crispy results. Do it in batches, trust me.
• **Forgetting to Flip:** While air fryers are amazing, they aren’t *fully* hands-off. Flipping halfway through ensures both sides get that beautiful, golden crunch.
• **Skipping the Pre-Cook:** Thinking you can just air fry raw wings without pressure cooking them first will result in either burnt outsides and raw insides, or dry-as-dust leather. The Instant Pot stage is key for tenderness!

Alternatives & Substitutions

Feeling adventurous? Or just missing an ingredient? No stress, we’ve got options!

• **Sauce Swap:** Not feeling garlic parm? Swap out the butter, garlic, and Parmesan for a classic buffalo sauce (Franks RedHot + butter), a sweet BBQ sauce, or even a sticky Asian glaze (soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic). The world is your wing.
• **Cheese, Please:** If Parmesan isn’t your jam (or you’re dairy-free), nutritional yeast can give a similar savory, cheesy flavor, though the texture won’t be quite the same. Or just skip it and go for a different sauce entirely!
• **Herb Heaven:** Don’t have fresh parsley? Dried works in a pinch (use less, it’s more concentrated), or try fresh cilantro for an Asian twist.
• **Bone-In Thighs/Drumsticks:** You can totally use this method for other bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces! Just adjust the Instant Pot pressure cooking time (usually 10-12 minutes for thighs/drumsticks) and keep an eye on the air frying time until crispy.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Got questions? I’ve got answers, delivered with a side of sass.

• **Q: Can I use frozen wings?** A: Yes, you can! Just add about 2-3 minutes to your Instant Pot pressure cook time. No need to thaw. Isn’t that just brilliant?
• **Q: How do I make them *extra* crispy?** A: Two secrets: **super dry wings** before air frying, and a tiny dusting of baking powder (about 1/2 tsp per lb) mixed with your dry seasoning can work wonders! It helps break down the skin and makes it ridiculously crunchy.
• **Q: What if I don’t have an Instant Pot Air Fryer lid, just a regular air fryer?** A: You can still pressure cook in your Instant Pot as normal, then transfer the cooked wings to your stand-alone air fryer for the crisping step. Same concept, just two separate gadgets.
• **Q: Why pressure cook first? Can’t I just air fry them raw?** A: Well, technically yes, but why would you want to suffer? Air frying raw wings takes FOREVER, dries them out, and often leaves the inside less than perfectly cooked. Pressure cooking first ensures juicy, tender insides in record time, then the air fryer does its magic on the skin. It’s the ultimate combo!
• **Q: Can I prep these ahead of time?** A: You can pressure cook the wings ahead of time and store them in the fridge. When ready to serve, pat them dry again, then proceed with the air frying and saucing steps. They’ll still be amazing!

Final Thoughts

See? Who said gourmet-level deliciousness had to involve slaving away in the kitchen for hours? With your Instant Pot Air Fryer, you’re practically a culinary wizard, conjuring up crispy, flavorful magic with minimal effort. These Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings are just the beginning of your journey into quick, easy, and unbelievably tasty meals. So, now go impress someone—or yourself—with your new culinary skills. You’ve earned it!