Best Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

These air fryer chicken thighs turn out perfect every time – golden crispy skin outside and tender juicy meat inside. I’ll show you exactly how long to cook chicken thighs in the air fryer so you can enjoy that satisfying crunch with every bite while the meat stays juicy and seasoned perfectly.

Watch my recipe video below to see how I make these crispy chicken thighs step by step. Please like and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more easy air fryer recipes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The secret to these chicken thighs is the simple seasoning blend and the cooking method. Here’s everything you need to make these crispy air fryer chicken thighs:

• 5 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on (about 2 pounds or 900g)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard seed
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Top Tip: Make sure your chicken thighs are similar in size so they cook evenly. If some pieces are much larger than others, they’ll need different cooking times.

Equipment Needed

This recipe doesn’t require much special equipment, the main thing is an air fryer.

I make these chicken thighs in my Ninja air fryer – it’s the one I’ve had for about two years now, and it never disappoints. The skin gets super crispy, and it’s big enough to fit all 5 thighs without crowding. Check it out below if you need a good one!

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• Air fryer
• Mixing bowl
• Tongs
• Paper towels
• Meat thermometer (optional but recommended)

Note: I used a 6-quart air fryer for this recipe, and I can only cook 4 chicken thighs at a time, so if your air fryer is smaller, you may need to cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding.

How to Cook Bone-in Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer

Let’s get these chicken thighs ready for the air fryer with a few quick steps.

Step 1: Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. This is super important for crispy skin. I make sure to dry both sides thoroughly, especially the skin side.

Step 2: Create your seasoning mixture. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a mixing bowl, then add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of ground mustard seed, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder. Stir until well combined.

Step 3: Pour all the seasoning mixture over the chicken thighs. Toss them in the bowl until they’re fully coated. Make sure the seasoning gets all over both sides of each thigh.

Did You Know? Ground mustard seed adds a subtle depth of flavor that many people can’t quite identify, but really enhances the overall taste of the chicken.

How Long to Cook Chicken Thighs in an Air Fryer

Now that your chicken is prepped and seasoned, it’s time to cook it to crispy perfection. The cooking method is what really makes this recipe stand out.

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 200°C or 400°F for 3-5 minutes.

Step 2: Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket in a single layer, skin side down first.

Step 3: Cook for 10 minutes at 200°C/400°F.

Step 4: Open the air fryer and flip each piece over so the skin side is facing up.

Step 5: Continue cooking for another 15 minutes at the same temperature.

Step 6: Check if they’re done. The skin should be golden brown and crispy. If you have a meat thermometer, the internal temperature should read 75°C or 165°F.

Top Tip: Different air fryers cook at different rates. Always check that your chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 75°C/165°F, especially when using this recipe for the first time.

How to Tell When Chicken Thighs Are Done

Knowing when your chicken thighs are perfectly cooked can be tricky. Here are some reliable ways to check.

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1. The most accurate way to test doneness is with a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone. It should read 75°C (165°F) when the chicken is fully cooked.
2. If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part of one thigh. The juices should run clear with no pink, and the meat should no longer be pink inside.
3. The skin should be golden brown and crispy, and the meat should feel firm but not hard when pressed with tongs.

Note: Chicken thighs are more forgiving than chicken breasts. They stay juicy even when cooked a little longer, which makes them perfect for air fryer beginners.

These air fryer chicken thighs have become one of my go-to meals because they’re easy, delicious, and always turn out great. I often serve these with a couple of simple sides like this creamy mashed potatoes for an easy weeknight dinner that still feels special.

Related Recipe: If you like cooking chicken in your air fryer, check out my Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Strips recipe here. I make these all the time, and trust me, they blow away those McDonald’s ones.

Flavor Variations to Try

While the basic recipe is delicious on its own, you can switch up the flavors to keep things interesting. Here are some of my favorite variations:

• Lemon Herb: Add 1 teaspoon of dried herbs (like thyme, rosemary, or oregano) and the zest of one lemon to the seasoning mix.
• Spicy Cajun: Replace the seasoning mix with 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning mixed with the olive oil.
• Honey Garlic: After cooking, brush the thighs with a mixture of 2 tablespoons honey and 2 minced garlic cloves.
• BBQ Style: In the last 5 minutes of cooking, brush your favorite BBQ sauce on the skin side.

Top Tip: When adding sauces that contain sugar (like BBQ sauce or honey), only add them in the last few minutes of cooking to prevent burning.

Storage and Reheating Tips

If you have leftovers (which rarely happens in my house!), Here’s how to store and reheat them properly.

Storage Instructions:

• Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• You can also freeze cooked chicken thighs for up to 3 months. Wrap them individually in foil, then place them in a freezer bag.

Reheating Instructions:

• Air Fryer Method: Reheat at 180°C (350°F) for 3-5 minutes until crispy and warm throughout.
• Oven Method: Place on a baking sheet and heat at 180°C (350°F) for 10-15 minutes.
• Microwave: While not ideal for maintaining crispiness, you can microwave for 1-2 minutes if you’re in a hurry.

Note: The skin won’t be quite as crispy when reheated, but it will still taste ok.

Common Air Fryer Chicken Thigh Problems and Solutions

These are some common questions I get about making air fryer chicken thighs:

Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs?
Yes! Reduce the cooking time to about 20 minutes total (10 minutes per side), as they cook faster without the bone.

Why isn’t my chicken skin getting crispy?
Make sure you’ve dried the skin thoroughly before adding the seasonings. Also, check that you’re not overcrowding the air fryer basket.

Can I use frozen chicken thighs?
It’s best to thaw them first for even cooking. If you must use frozen, increase the cooking time by about 50% and check frequently.

Is it normal for my air fryer to smoke?
Some smoke can happen when cooking fatty foods like chicken thighs. Make sure there’s no buildup of grease in your air fryer from previous use, and consider adding a tablespoon of water to the bottom of the basket to reduce smoke.

More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed these crispy air fryer chicken thighs, I have several other air fryer recipes that use the same easy cooking technique for delicious results.

Check out these fan favorites from my collection:

• Crispy Air Fryer Potato Wedges – Easy Recipe + Pro Tips – The perfect side dish to serve with these chicken thighs
• How Long and What Temperature to Cook Hot Dogs in the Air Fryer – Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner that kids and adults both love
• How I Mastered Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks (What I Did) – Another chicken recipe with a different cut that turns out amazing every time

Did you try these crispy air fryer chicken thighs? Let me know how they turned out for you! What side dishes did you pair with them? Drop a comment if you have any questions about the recipe or your own tips for perfect chicken thighs.