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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs: The Best Easy Party Appetizer

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These crispy air fryer chicken thighs are the perfect party appetizer—quick, easy, and incredibly delicious. With a simple seasoning blend and the air fryer doing all the work, you’ll have golden, crackling skin and juicy meat in about 25 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 6–8 thighs)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (Diamond Crystal; reduce to ¾ teaspoon if using table salt)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the chicken: Remove chicken thighs from package and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels, getting between skin and meat. Trim excess skin or fat. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes while preheating air fryer.
  2. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  3. Season the chicken: In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Add chicken thighs and toss with hands until evenly coated, getting seasoning under the skin if possible.
  4. Arrange thighs in air fryer basket skin-side down in a single layer, leaving at least half an inch between pieces. Cook in batches if needed.
  5. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12 minutes without opening the basket.
  6. Flip thighs with tongs and cook for another 8-10 minutes until skin is deep golden brown and crispy.
  7. Check doneness with an instant-read thermometer: internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) in thickest part. Cook in 2-minute increments if needed.
  8. Remove thighs and let rest on a wire rack or plate for 5 minutes.
  9. Serve immediately on a platter, garnished with fresh parsley or flaky sea salt if desired.

Notes

For extra-crispy skin, pat chicken dry and let sit uncovered in the fridge for an hour before cooking. You can season the chicken up to 4 hours in advance. To reheat leftovers, use the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes—avoid the microwave.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, party appetizer, game day snack, easy chicken recipe

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-thighs-the-best-easy-party-appetizer/