Air Fryer Chicken Thighs (Bone-in)
Temperature
375°F
190°C
Time
25 min
4 thighs
Safe internal
165°F
74°C · piping hot
Prep
5 min
Cook
25 min
Total
30 min
For crispy skin, bone-in thighs are the ones to reach for. Start them skin-side down so the fat renders and bastes the skin before you flip them - that single step makes the biggest difference.
Ingredients
Quantities for 4 thighs - the times on this page assume that much in the basket.
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- Salt, rubbed under the skin as well as over it
- Black pepper
How to air fry chicken thighs (bone-in)
- Pat the thighs dry, loosen the skin with a finger and rub salt underneath as well as over the top, then add the oil, onion powder, thyme and pepper. Salting under the skin seasons the meat, not just the crust.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Add the fresh chicken thighs (bone-in) to the basket. Lay them flat without overlapping.
- Cook for about 25 minutes, starting them skin-side down and flipping them halfway through.
- Check it has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Pro tip
Use a rack if possible to allow air to circulate underneath.
How to tell when it's done
Check the meat next to the bone, not touching it, for 165°F (74°C), and the skin should be deep golden and crisp. The bone slows the middle down, so don't rush those last few minutes.
Safe internal temperature
Cook to 165°F (74°C) at the thickest point. An instant-read thermometer is the only reliable way to confirm it.
Converting from an oven recipe
If your recipe is written for a conventional oven, lower the temperature by about 25°F (15°C) and reduce the time by roughly 20% to land near 375°F for 25 minutes. Need a different starting point? Use the conversion calculator.
Air fryer chicken thighs (bone-in): FAQ
How long does it take to air fry chicken thighs (bone-in)?
Air fry chicken thighs (bone-in) at 375°F (190°C) for about 25 minutes, starting them skin-side down and flipping them halfway through. That's for 4 thighs in a single layer; adjust slightly for a fuller basket or a different model.
What temperature do you air fry chicken thighs (bone-in) at?
Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). If you're converting an oven recipe, that's roughly 25°F (15°C) below the oven temperature, with the time cut by about 20%.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer for chicken thighs (bone-in)?
A 2-3 minute preheat gives the most accurate timing and the best browning, but it isn't essential - if you skip it, add a minute or two to the cook time.
What's the safe internal temperature for chicken thighs (bone-in)?
Cook chicken thighs (bone-in) to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), measured at the thickest point with an instant-read thermometer. Cooking time is a guide; internal temperature is what confirms it's safely done.