Air Fryer Honey Chicken Thighs | Crispy Air Fried Chicken Thighs Recipe You’ll Make Again and Again

Having three teenagers means food disappears faster than I can make it. I swear I blink and the fridge is empty again. One thing that always saves me is my air fryer. I use it all the time, and these air fried chicken thighs are one of our favorites. They come out so crispy and juicy that nobody ever complains, not even my picky one. I love making air fryer chicken thighs recipes because they cook fast and taste like real comfort food.

If you are new to air fried food, this is such a good place to start. These air fryer thighs are full of flavor and use simple chicken thigh seasoning recipes that anyone can make. The skin gets golden and crisp, just like air fryer fried chicken, but without all the oil and mess. I use bone-in chicken thighs for extra flavor, but you can use boneless too if that is what you have.

I tried so many chicken thighs air fryer recipes over the years, and this might be the best chicken thigh recipe air fryer ever. It is easy, no fancy steps, just tasty home cooking. I love how the air fryer turns simple thighs chicken into something special. It is one of those chicken thighs recipes you can keep making over and over again.

If you love trying new air fryer recipes, or you are just looking for air fryer oven recipes that make dinner simple, this one is for you. The crispy air fryer chicken thighs come out perfect every single time. Whether you call them air fry chicken thighs, airfryer chicken thighs, or just “mom’s crispy chicken,” this is one of those cooking chicken thighs moments that makes you feel like dinner is handled.

So grab your air fryer, because we are about to make one of the easiest and most delicious chicken thigh air fryer recipes ever. Trust me, this thighs recipe will be a family favorite in no time.

Ingredients

• 6 chicken thighs, bone in and skin on
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (use tamari if you want gluten free)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This makes the skin crispy in the air fryer. If the chicken is wet, it just wont crisp up the same way.

Step 2: Make the Honey Glaze

In a small bowl, mix together honey, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Whisk it well until everything looks like a sticky little sauce.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Brush the honey glaze all over the chicken thighs. If you have a few minutes, let the chicken sit in the glaze for 10 to 15 minutes. Its not required but it makes the flavor a little stronger.

Step 4: Air Fry the Chicken

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken thighs in the basket skin side down. Cook for 12 minutes. Then flip the chicken, brush a little more glaze on top, and cook for another 12 minutes.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

The chicken is done when the inside reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want it extra crispy, cook for 2 or 3 more minutes.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve with rice, roasted vegetables, or even a little salad. My kids love it with rice because the honey glaze gets all over the rice and they eat it so fast.

Tips and Little Secrets

• If you are doing meal prep, these chicken thighs heat up really well in the air fryer the next day.
• Adding a little extra honey glaze before serving makes it even yummier.
• You can switch honey for maple syrup for a different kind of sweetness.
• Sometimes I cook a few extra pieces because someone in my house eats theirs faster than expected.

Meal Prep Tips

1. Cook extra chicken thighs
   Trust me, your future self will thank you! Go ahead and air fry a double batch of these crispy air fryer chicken thighs. They reheat so well and make life easy when everyone’s hungry and you do not wanna cook again.
2. Store in airtight containers
   After your air fried chicken thighs cool down, pack them in airtight meal prep containers. You can keep the air fryer thighs in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
3. Separate the sauce
   If you like your crispy air fryer chicken thighs to stay crisp, store the honey glaze separately in a little container. Warm it up later and drizzle before serving — total game changer for that sticky-sweet flavor!
4. Use for multiple meals
   These chicken thighs recipes are super versatile. Slice and toss into rice bowls, wraps, or even salads. You can even make mini sliders for the kids — my teenagers devour them in seconds!
5. Easy reheat method
   Pop the bone-in chicken thighs back in the air fryer oven for about 4–5 minutes at 375°F to bring back that crispy magic. Avoid microwaving — unless you’re okay with soft skin.
6. Add some sides
   Pair your air fryer chicken thighs recipes with roasted veggies, rice, or mashed potatoes. It keeps meal prep balanced and ready-to-go for busy nights when everyone’s got something going on.
7. Label and date
   Write the cooking date on the container lid — I always forget when I made stuff, and it saves me the sniff test later (mom brain, right?).

FAQs About Air Fryer Honey Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Honey Chicken Thighs Recipe Card

Air Fryer Honey Chicken Thighs

This air fryer honey chicken thighs recipe is sweet, juicy, and crispy all at once. It’s one of those dinners that makes everyone at the table happy — even my teens who pretend they are food critics. The honey glaze gives it a little sticky sweetness that tastes so good with crispy chicken skin. Plus, it cooks fast in the air fryer, so dinner is ready before the chaos starts.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 22 minutes mins

Servings 3

Ingredients

  

• 6 bone-in chicken thighs skin on
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari if gluten free
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: sesame seeds and green onions for garnish

Instructions

 

• Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This helps them get nice and crispy.
• In a small bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
• Brush the glaze all over each chicken thigh. Let it sit for about 10 minutes if you have time, so the flavor soaks in.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place chicken skin-side down in the basket. Cook for 12 minutes, flip, brush more glaze, then cook for another 10 to 12 minutes until golden and crisp.
• The inside should be at least 165°F. If you want the skin extra crunchy, cook 2 to 3 minutes longer.
• Top with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve hot with rice, veggies, or salad for a complete meal.

Notes

Tips

• Always pat chicken dry before cooking — it makes a big difference for crispy skin.
• Do not overcrowd the basket. Give each piece space so air can move around.
• If you love extra sauce, make a double batch of the honey glaze to drizzle on top before serving.
• Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes.

---

Variations

• Spicy Honey Chicken: Add a few drops of hot sauce or a sprinkle of chili flakes to the honey glaze.
• Garlic Lover’s Twist: Add extra garlic powder or minced fresh garlic to the sauce.
• Maple Version: Swap honey for maple syrup for a different kind of sweetness.
• Boneless Option: Use boneless chicken thighs and cook for about 16–18 minutes instead.
• Asian-Inspired Flavor: Add a teaspoon of sesame oil and a splash of rice vinegar to the glaze.

Dinner time with three teenagers is never quiet in this house. Everyone wants something different, and they are always hungry, like all the time. But when I make these air fryer chicken thighs, nobody complains. The smell fills the kitchen, and they all come running before I even call them. These air fried chicken thighs are crispy, juicy, and just so easy to make. It feels like you worked hard, but really, the air fryer does most of the job.

I love how this recipe turns simple bone-in chicken thighs into something special. It is one of those air fryer chicken thighs recipes that just always works. You can play with the flavor too, like adding a little spice or some extra honey. I have tried a bunch of chicken thighs air fryer recipes, and this one is honestly my favorite. It might even be the best chicken thigh recipe air fryer ever, at least in my kitchen.

Cooking chicken thighs in the air fryer makes life so much easier. You get that crispy skin like air fryer fried chicken but without the mess or extra oil. If you are into air fried food or love trying new air fryer recipes, this one will totally be a hit. It is simple, fast, and always turns out good. The air fryer oven recipes like this make dinner less stressful and a lot more fun.

The crispy air fryer chicken thighs are a go-to for us now. Sometimes I switch up the chicken thigh seasoning recipes, or make a twist on this thighs recipe when I am feeling fancy. But honestly, the kids never notice — they just eat it all. Whether you call them air fry chicken thighs, airfryer chicken thighs, or just mom’s crispy chicken, this dish is a keeper. So if you need a family meal that everyone will love, save this one. It is one of those chicken thighs recipes that makes you look like a pro without trying too hard.

Share on Facebook

Post on X

Follow us

Save