Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs in Your Air Fryer: Simple Recipes You’ll Love

Introduction

Crispy chicken thighs are a perennial favorite—juicy on the inside with addictive crunch outside. Making them in the air fryer is not only effortlessly simple, but it also guarantees consistently golden, flavorful results without the mess or calories of deep frying. This recipe is ideal for anyone who wants to enjoy restaurant-quality chicken at home, minus the fuss and excess oil.

Why Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Are a Weeknight Hero

With the magic of the air fryer, chicken thighs transform into crackly-skinned wonders in minutes. The rapid circulation of hot air ensures each thigh is evenly crisped—no flipping, no splattering, no hovering over a hot stove. The seasoning options are endless, making this method both versatile and crowd-pleasing.

Getting the Crispiest Chicken Thighs Possible

The key to super crisp skin is dry chicken and a little oil. Pat your chicken thighs dry thoroughly with a paper towel and season liberally with your chosen spices. For even, fuss-free oil application, use the TrendPlain 16oz/470ml Olive Oil Sprayer for Cooking, Black. This fine-mist sprayer coats every inch, ensuring perfect browning and flavor.

Line your air fryer basket with Air Fryer Paper Liners, 125Pcs, 8” Square by Baker’s Signature to prevent sticking and make cleanup effortless.

The Quick Prep: Tools That Make a Difference

Get your chicken ready with minimal mess on a sturdy Bamboo Cutting Boards for Kitchen, Set of 3. If you want perfectly chopped side veggies or garnish, reach for a Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper for even slices or dice in seconds.

How to Serve Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

These crispy baked chicken thighs are delicious alone or served with sides like fresh salads, roasted vegetables, or even atop rice or quinoa. Use a Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll, 45 Square Feet for roasting vegetables in the oven while your chicken air fries.

For easy meal prep and on-the-go meals, store leftovers in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup) to keep your chicken moist and crispy.

Nutritional Information and Suggested Portions

One chicken thigh (bone-in, skin-on) air fried with minimal oil has approximately 220-250 calories, 15g fat, and 23g protein. Serving size is 1-2 thighs per person, depending on appetite and accompaniments.

Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs in Your Air Fryer—Recipe Recap

This air fryer technique unlocks the most succulent and crackly-skinned chicken easily, delivering flavor-packed, fuss-free results every time. It’s a simple, reliable recipe the whole family will crave.

Instructions

1. Preheat your COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact & Large 6-Qt, Grey to 400°F for 3 minutes.
2. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. On your Bamboo Cutting Boards for Kitchen, Set of 3, lightly brush or spritz both sides of chicken with oil using the TrendPlain 16oz/470ml Olive Oil Sprayer for Cooking, Black.
3. In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle spice mix evenly over both sides of the thighs, rubbing it in gently.
4. Line the air fryer basket with Air Fryer Paper Liners, 125Pcs, 8” Square by Baker’s Signature for easy cleanup. Arrange chicken thighs, skin-side up, in a single layer (work in batches if necessary).
5. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 16-20 minutes, or until skin is golden and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (check easily with a meat thermometer). Halfway through, you can rotate the basket for even cooking, but flipping isn’t needed.
6. Let the chicken rest for 3 minutes before serving. Enjoy hot and crispy!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 23 minutes