Bone-In Crispy Chicken Thighs in Air Fryer: 375°F (190°C) for 25 Minutes
Cook bone-in crispy chicken thighs in an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes instead of 400°F for 35 minutes in a conventional oven, shaking or turning halfway through cooking until internal temperature reaches 175°f–180°f (79°c–82°c) for tender dark meat.
Reduce 400°F oven thighs to 375°F in your air fryer for 22–26 minutes. Start skin-side down, flipping skin-side up at 12 minutes for blistered shatteringly crisp skin.
Larger cavity requires longer preheat and slower surface moisture evaporation.
Midpoint (13 min): Start skin-side down; flip skin-side up at 12–14 minutes for ultra-crispy blistered skin
International Oven Dial & UK Gas Mark Reference
| Static °F | Static °C | Fan °C | Gas Mark | Heat Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 225°F | 110°C | 90°C Fan | Gas Mark ¼ | Very Cool / Drying & Meringues |
| 250°F | 120°C | 100°C Fan | Gas Mark ½ | Very Slow / Slow Braising |
| 275°F | 140°C | 120°C Fan | Gas Mark 1 | Slow / Custards & Rich Fruitcakes |
| 300°F | 150°C | 130°C Fan | Gas Mark 2 | Slow–Moderate / Casseroles & Shortbread |
| 325°F | 165°C | 145°C Fan | Gas Mark 3 | Moderate / Cheesecakes & Loaf Cakes |
| 350°F | 180°C | 160°C Fan | Gas Mark 4 | Moderate / Everyday Baking, Cookies & Layer Cakes |
| 375°F | 190°C | 170°C Fan | Gas Mark 5 | Moderately Hot / Pies, Muffins & Roasting |
| 400°F | 200°C | 180°C Fan | Gas Mark 6 | Hot / Crispy Roasting, Puff Pastry & Scones |
| 425°F | 220°C | 200°C Fan | Gas Mark 7 | Hot / Artisan Bread, Roasted Veg & Yorkshire Pudding |
| 450°F | 230°C | 210°C Fan | Gas Mark 8 | Very Hot / Hearth Loaves & High-Heat Roasting |
| 475°F | 245°C | 225°C Fan | Gas Mark 9 | Very Hot / Dutch-Oven Sourdough & Skillet Sear |
| 500°F | 260°C | 240°C Fan | Gas Mark 10 | Extremely Hot / Pizza Stone & Flatbreads |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are air fryer chicken thighs crisper than oven-baked? ▾
The rapid cyclonic airflow continuously renders fat directly out of the poultry skin and circulates high dry heat without trapped moisture.
What internal temperature should air fryer chicken thighs reach? ▾
Unlike breasts, chicken thighs taste best when cooked to 175°F–180°F (79°C–82°C), which melts tough connective tissue into succulent tenderness.