Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a quick and healthy way to cook food with less oil than traditional frying. Chicken thighs are a great option to make in an air fryer as they cook up juicy and tender. But how long should you put chicken thighs in an air fryer to get the best results?
What temperature to cook chicken thighs in air fryer?
When cooking chicken thighs in an air fryer, it’s recommended to cook them at a temperature between 350-400°F. Here are some guidelines for air fryer temperature for chicken thighs:
- For bone-in chicken thighs, cook at 375°F.
- For boneless chicken thighs, cook at 400°F.
- For crispy skin, cook at 400°F.
Cooking at a temperature in this range will allow the chicken thighs to cook through without drying out. The skin will become crispy and browned. Using a higher temperature above 400°F may overcook the chicken.
How long to cook bone-in chicken thighs in air fryer?
Bone-in chicken thighs typically take 18-22 minutes to cook in an air fryer at 375°F. The exact timing can vary depending on the size and thickness of the thighs.
As a general guideline, here is how long to cook bone-in chicken thighs in an air fryer:
| Bone-in Chicken Thighs | Cook Time at 375°F |
|---|---|
| 4 small bone-in thighs (6-8 oz each) | 18-20 minutes |
| 4 large bone-in thighs (8-10 oz each) | 20-22 minutes |
The thighs are fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Be sure to check them with a meat thermometer to ensure doneness.
How long to cook boneless chicken thighs in air fryer?
Boneless chicken thighs cook faster than bone-in. At 400°F, boneless thighs take 14-18 minutes to cook through in an air fryer depending on size.
Follow these air fryer cook times for boneless chicken thighs:
| Boneless Chicken Thighs | Cook Time at 400°F |
|---|---|
| 2 small boneless thighs (4-5 oz each) | 14-16 minutes |
| 2 large boneless thighs (6-8 oz each) | 16-18 minutes |
Check the internal temperature to confirm they are fully cooked through. Boneless thighs are done at 165°F.
Tips for the best air fried chicken thighs
Here are some useful tips to get perfectly cooked juicy air fried chicken thighs every time:
- Pat the chicken thighs dry before seasoning – this helps them get crispy.
- Brush or spray oil over the thighs before cooking for even browning.
- Flip the thighs halfway during cooking for evenly cooked meat.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness – avoid overcooking.
- Allow the cooked thighs to rest 5 minutes before serving.
How to make crispy chicken thighs in air fryer
It’s easy to get crispy skin on chicken thighs in an air fryer. Follow these steps:
- Pat chicken thighs dry and coat in a bit of oil.
- Season well with salt, pepper, and spices like paprika, garlic powder, etc.
- Set air fryer to 400°F and cook for 14-22 minutes, depending on bone-in or boneless.
- Flip thighs halfway during cooking.
- Brush thighs with a bit more oil or cooking spray halfway if needed.
- Cook until chicken is fully cooked and skin is crispy.
The high heat of the air fryer will help the skin crisp up. Cooking at 400°F gives the best crispy results.
How to make juicy chicken thighs in air fryer
It’s easy to keep air fried chicken thighs nice and juicy:
- Don’t overcook – use a meat thermometer to avoid drying out the meat.
- Brine the chicken thighs before cooking to help them retain moisture.
- Use bone-in chicken thighs – the bones help keep in juices.
- Cook at a lower temp (375°F) if wanting juicy meat over crispy skin.
- Let thighs rest 5 minutes before cutting to allow juices to redistribute.
With just a few simple tricks, you can get perfectly juicy air fryer chicken thighs every time!
Cooked vs raw chicken thighs in air fryer
It’s best to start with raw chicken thighs when cooking them in an air fryer rather than pre-cooked. Here’s why:
- Raw chicken thighs will cook evenly throughout and develop a nice crispy skin.
- Pre-cooked thighs may dry out from overcooking.
- Starting from raw means you control the cook time to prevent over or undercooking.
- Pre-cooked chicken absorbs less seasoning/marinade flavor.
Of course, leftovers can certainly be reheated in the air fryer from pre-cooked. But for the best results, start with raw chicken thighs.
Frozen vs thawed chicken thighs in air fryer
You can cook frozen chicken thighs in the air fryer with great results, but thawed thighs will cook faster and more evenly. Here’s a comparison:
Frozen Chicken Thighs
- Require longer cook time – add 5-8 minutes extra.
- Can sometimes cook unevenly if very thick.
- Skin may not get as crispy.
- Hard to tell when fully cooked – use a thermometer.
Thawed Chicken Thighs
- Cook quicker with better browning.
- Cook more evenly throughout.
- Skin gets crisper.
- Easier to tell when fully cooked.
For best results, thaw chicken thighs before air frying. But frozen will still cook through with extra time.
Marinated vs non-marinated chicken thighs in air fryer
Marinating chicken thighs before air frying results in better flavor infusion. Here’s how marinated and non-marinated thighs compare:
Non-Marinated Chicken Thighs
- Relies on just seasoning/dry rub for flavor.
- Skin may crisp up faster.
- Overall flavor will be more mild.
Marinated Chicken Thighs
- Gets great flavor from marinade.
- Stays juicier.
- Can marinate for just 15-30 mins for quick flavor.
- May need to cook slightly longer.
For the best, most flavorful results, marinating the chicken thighs before air frying is recommended. But dry rubbed thighs still taste great too!
Conclusion
Air fried chicken thighs are a quick and healthy dinner option with crispy skin and juicy meat when cooked properly. For bone-in thighs, cook at 375°F for 18-22 minutes. Boneless takes 14-18 minutes at 400°F. Cook thawed rather than frozen, and marinate for maximum flavor. Use a meat thermometer to ensure thighs reach 165°F. In just 20 minutes or less, you can enjoy juicy, crispy air fried chicken thighs!