Crispy Chicken Thighs

Name: Crispy Chicken Thighs (Air Fryer)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 32 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs; 2 tbsp all-purpose flour; 1 tbsp cornstarch; 1 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp chili powder; 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; salt, to taste; cooking spray; 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or light mayonnaise; 1/4 cup buffalo sauce; 1 tsp barbecue rub; 1 tbsp water

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These air-fryer chicken thighs deliver restaurant-quality crispiness using a simple seasoned flour rub with cornstarch and baking powder, served with creamy buffalo sauce.

🌍American 🏷️Crispy chicken 🏷️Chicken thighs 🏷️Fried chicken 🏷️Comfort food Weeknight dinner

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Total

32 min

Servings

Recipe Source

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From TikTok · by thegoldenbalance

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Ingredients

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1.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
salt, to taste
cooking spray
1/2 cup Greek yogurt or light mayonnaise
1/4 cup buffalo sauce
1 tsp barbecue rub
1 tbsp water

14 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Mix to create the flour rub.
2
Pat the chicken thighs dry. Season generously on all sides with salt, making sure to get into every crevice.
3
Coat the salted chicken thighs evenly and generously with the flour rub mixture on all sides.
4
Lightly spray the non-skin side of the chicken thighs with cooking spray.
5
Place the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin-side up. Give the skin a final light spray with cooking spray.
6
Air fry at 375°F for 22 minutes. No preheating is necessary.
7
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the dipping sauce. In a small container, combine Greek yogurt (or light mayonnaise), buffalo sauce, and your favorite barbecue rub.
8
Add a splash of water to the sauce and stir until it reaches your desired consistency.
9
Once the 22 minutes are up, remove the crispy chicken thighs from the air fryer and serve immediately with the dipping sauce.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Pat chicken skin completely dry before coating—moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
Do not skip the baking powder in the flour rub; it promotes browning and creates an extra-crispy texture.
Shake the air-fryer basket halfway through cooking to ensure even crisping on all sides.
Let cooked thighs rest 3–5 minutes before serving to allow the skin to set and stay crispy.

Substitutions

All-purpose flour → cornstarch alone (use 3 tbsp for lighter, crispier coating; reduce baking powder to ½ tsp)
Smoked paprika → regular paprika or cayenne (adjust heat to taste)
Buffalo sauce → ranch, hot sauce, or barbecue sauce

Storage & make-ahead

Store cooled thighs in an airtight container for up to 4 days; reheat in a 350°F air fryer for 5 minutes to restore crispiness.

Equipment

air fryer

Common Questions

How do you make chicken thighs crispy in an air fryer?

Pat the skin-on thighs completely dry, coat with a seasoned flour mixture containing cornstarch and baking powder for extra crunch, then air-fry at high heat until the skin is golden and crispy.

Can you use boneless chicken thighs for this recipe?

Boneless thighs will cook faster and brown differently; reduce cooking time by 5–10 minutes and monitor closely. Bone-in, skin-on thighs are preferred for maximum crispiness.