1. Pat the chicken wings very dry with paper towels, trimming them into flats and drumettes if needed, and place them in a large mixing bowl.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the baking powder, cornstarch, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using.

3. Drizzle the wings with olive oil and toss to coat, then sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the wings and toss until all pieces are evenly coated.

4. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F 200°C for about 5 minutes, lightly greasing the basket if your model tends to stick.

5. Arrange the wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each piece so the air can circulate.

6. Air fry the wings for 18 to 22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the skin is deep golden, very crisp, and the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F 74°C.

7. While the wings cook, stir together the grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and lemon zest in a small bowl.

8. Transfer the hot wings to a clean bowl, drizzle with melted butter if using, and toss quickly to coat.

9. Sprinkle the Parmesan herb mixture over the wings and toss until every piece is covered in the cheesy crust, then serve right away with extra Parmesan, parsley, and lemon wedges.