Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs is made with 4 bone-in, olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika; air fry at 400°F for 25 minutes to serve 4. 320 calories per serving.
Ingredients
Steps
- 1
Pat chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels — this is critical for crispy skin.
- 2
Rub with olive oil and season generously on all sides with the spice mix.
- 3
Place skin-side down in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes.
- 4
Flip skin-side up and cook another 12-15 minutes until skin is deeply golden and internal temp hits 185°F.
- 5
Rest for 5 minutes before serving. The skin stays crispy.
Tip: Starting skin-side down renders the fat first, then flipping crisps it perfectly. Thighs are forgiving — they're juicy even if you go a bit over temp, unlike breast meat.
Why Air Fry This?
- ⏱️Ready in 25 minutes vs ~45 in a conventional oven — no preheating needed.
- 🫒Uses up to 80% less oil than deep frying, bringing this down to 320 calories per serving.
- ✨Achieves the same golden, crispy texture without submerging food in oil.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Cook Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs at 400°F for 25 minutes. Starting skin-side down renders the fat first, then flipping crisps it perfectly. Thighs are forgiving — they're juicy even if you go a bit over temp, unlike breast meat.
You need: 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp dried thyme. This recipe serves 4 with 320 calories per serving.
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs takes 25 minutes total at 400°F. Rest for 5 minutes before serving. The skin stays crispy.
This recipe is rated Easy. It serves 4 and takes just 25 minutes at 400°F.
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