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How long to cook chicken thighs in an air fryer
At 380 °F (193 °C) for 20 minutes, flip once at 10 minutes.
At-a-glance cooking parameters
- Temperature
- 380 °F
- 193 °C
- Total time
- 20 min
- per single layer
- Flip at
- 10 min
- flip once
- Internal temp
- 175 °F
- 79 °C
Boneless chicken thighs are the most forgiving cut for the air fryer — naturally fatty meat stays juicy at 380 °F (193 °C) for around 20 minutes with a single flip. Aim for an internal temperature of 175 °F (79 °C) rather than the usual 165 °F so the dark meat is properly tender.
Chicken Thighs in popular air fryer brands
Adjusted for how each brand actually heats. Tap a brand name to see every food we calibrate for it.
| Brand | Temp | Time | Flip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosoribasket | 380 °F(193 °C) | 20 min | flip at 10 min |
| Ninjabasket | 380 °F(193 °C) | 18 min | flip at 9 min |
| Instant Vortexbasket | 380 °F(193 °C) | 20 min | flip at 10 min |
| Philips Airfryerbasket | 370 °F(188 °C) | 20 min | flip at 10 min |
| PowerXLbasket | 380 °F(193 °C) | 19 min | flip at 10 min |
| Brevilleoven | 365 °F(185 °C) | 21 min | flip at 11 min |
| Cuisinartoven | 370 °F(188 °C) | 21 min | flip at 11 min |
| Chefmanbasket | 380 °F(193 °C) | 20 min | flip at 10 min |
| GoWisebasket | 375 °F(191 °C) | 20 min | flip at 10 min |
How to tell it’s done
Skin is deep golden brown and crisp; juices run clear; meat near the bone is no longer pink.
Internal temperature: 175 °F / 79 °C. Always verify with an instant-read thermometer.
Step-by-step method
- 1
Prep
Bring ingredients close to room temperature. Optional — thighs render their own fat. A light spray helps if the skin is already crisped.
- 2
Season
Season with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder.
- 3
Load
Arrange 4 boneless, skinless thighs (about 5 oz each) for best convection airflow.
- 4
Cook
Set the air fryer to 380 °F (193 °C) and cook for 20 minutes total, flipping once at 10 minutes.
- 5
Check & rest
Verify the internal temperature reaches 175 °F / 79 °C and rest 2–3 minutes before serving.
- 6
Store
Refrigerate up to 4 days. Reheats well in the air fryer at 360 °F for 4 minutes.
Watch out for
- Dark meat must reach at least 175 °F / 79 °C internally for the connective tissue to break down — pulling at 165 °F leaves them rubbery.
- Bone-in thighs need an extra 4–6 minutes; check internal temp at the joint.
FAQ about chicken thighs in an air fryer
- What temperature should I cook chicken thighs at in an air fryer?
- Cook chicken thighs at 380 °F (193 °C). The convection air at this temperature cooks the centre evenly while still browning the surface.
- How long does chicken thighs take in an air fryer?
- Chicken thighs takes 20 minutes total at 380 °F (193 °C). Flip the food once at 10 minutes so both sides cook evenly.
- Do you need to flip chicken thighs in an air fryer?
- Yes — flip chicken thighs once at 10 minutes. The side touching the basket grate develops a darker, more crusted surface; flipping evens out the cook so both sides match.
- Do you need to preheat the air fryer for chicken thighs?
- Preheating is optional for chicken thighs — most modern air fryers reach temperature in under 2 minutes and the food's total cook time already accounts for the ramp-up. If you do preheat, reduce the total time by 1–2 minutes and check earlier than usual.
- What internal temperature is chicken thighs safe to eat?
- Chicken thighs should reach an internal temperature of 175 °F (79 °C) measured at the thickest point with an instant-read thermometer. Visual checks alone are not a reliable substitute for protein — always confirm with a probe.
- Can I reheat leftover chicken thighs in an air fryer?
- Yes. Reheat at 375 °F (191 °C) for 5 minutes, flipping once at 3 minutes — see the reheat section for the full restore-the-crisp technique.
Last updated .