Air Fryer Cooking Time For Bone-In Thighs

Cooking bone-in chicken thighs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get juicy meat and crispy skin. You can cook them in under 30 minutes, with some recipes suggesting cooking times of 16 to 22 minutes, or even 16 to 20 minutes, at 400ºF. You'll need to flip them halfway through and cook until the internal temperature reaches 160ºF – 165ºF.

Cooking time: 16-22 minutes at 400ºF

Cooking bone-in chicken thighs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get juicy meat with a crispy skin. Set your air fryer to 400ºF and cook the chicken thighs for 16 to 22 minutes, flipping them over halfway through. You can check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer—the chicken is cooked when it reaches 160ºF to 165ºF.

If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cook the chicken thighs in batches. Make sure there's enough room for the hot air to circulate around the chicken pieces so that the skin crisps up nicely.

You can serve these chicken thighs with cauliflower mac and cheese, keto green beans with bacon, or a broccoli salad. They're also great with fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or thyme.

Internal temperature: 160ºF-165ºF

Cooking bone-in chicken thighs in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get juicy meat with a crispy skin. The cooking time will depend on the temperature you set your air fryer to.

If you set your air fryer to 400ºF, you should cook your chicken thighs for 16 to 22 minutes, flipping them halfway through. You should cook them until the internal temperature reaches 160ºF-165ºF. This can be measured with an instant-read thermometer.

If you don't have an instant-read thermometer, you can also check the doneness of your chicken thighs by looking at the colour of the meat. The meat should be white (not pink) all the way through. You can also check by cutting into the thickest part of the thigh; the juices should run clear.

It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, as well as the thickness of your chicken thighs. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions for your specific air fryer model and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Crispy skin: place skin side down in the basket

To achieve crispy skin on your bone-in chicken thighs, place them skin side down in the air fryer basket. This will ensure the skin crisps up nicely.

You should cook the chicken thighs for 16 to 22 minutes at 400 degrees F, flipping them over halfway through. This will ensure the meat is cooked evenly.

It's important to note that the size of your air fryer may impact the cooking time. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken thighs in batches.

To check if the chicken is cooked, use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature has reached 160ºF-165ºF. This will ensure the meat is cooked safely and thoroughly.

Once the chicken is cooked, let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, keeping it juicy and tender.

You can serve these crispy chicken thighs with a variety of sides, such as cauliflower Mac and cheese, keto green beans with bacon, or a broccoli salad.

Batch cooking: cook in batches if your air fryer is small

If you're cooking bone-in chicken thighs in an air fryer, you'll need to cook them for 16 to 22 minutes at 400ºF, flipping them halfway through. You'll know they're done when the internal temperature reaches 160ºF – 165ºF.

If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you'll need to cook the chicken thighs in batches. You can fit four bone-in chicken thighs in a 6-quart air fryer basket. If you're cooking in batches, make sure to let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes between batches. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, keeping it juicy and tender.

When cooking bone-in chicken thighs in an air fryer, it's important to place them skin side down in the basket. This will help the skin to crisp up nicely. You can also drizzle a little bit of oil on the chicken before cooking to help with this.

To check if your chicken thighs are done, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is safe to eat when the internal temperature reaches 165ºF.

Marinade: no need to marinade before cooking

Bone-in chicken thighs can be cooked in an air fryer in under 30 minutes. You don't need to use lots of oil when cooking chicken thighs in an air fryer. Set the air fryer to 400ºF and cook the chicken thighs for 16 to 22 minutes, flipping halfway through. The internal temperature should reach 160ºF to 165ºF.

There's no need to marinade the chicken thighs before air frying. You can simply season them and place them in the air fryer basket, skin side down. Make sure there's enough room for the hot air to circulate around the chicken so the skin crisps as it cooks. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Once the chicken is cooked, let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. You can serve the chicken with cauliflower mac and cheese, keto green beans with bacon, or a broccoli salad.

For best results, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken.

Frequently asked questions