Easy Air Fryer Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs

Air Fryer Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs on a light gray plate.

Easy Air Fryer Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs

You will absolutely love these Air Fryer Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs. Bone-in chicken thighs are coated with a brown sugar seasoning mixture and then air fried until crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Perfect for a quick and easy dinner that you’ll want to make again and again!

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Keyword air fryer brown sugar chicken thighs, brown sugar chicken thighs

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 19

Total Time 29

Servings

Calories 338kcal

Author Ivory

Equipment

Air Fryer

Ingredients

4 chicken thighs bone-in, skin on
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Air Fryer Instructions:

Brush the air fryer basket with cooking oil.
Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and set the timer for 22 minutes.
In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Set aside.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Then add them to a medium sized bowl.
Add the seasoning mixture to the chicken thighs and toss until the chicken thighs are well coated.
Add the chicken thighs to the air fryer, skin side down, and cook for 11 minutes.
Flip the chicken thighs and cook for another 9 to 11 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remove the chicken thighs from the air fryer. Let cool for 3 minutes, then enjoy!

Air Fryer Frozen Instructions:

Separate the chicken thighs making sure they are not frozen together.
Mix together the olive oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the chicken thighs and rub all over the chicken thighs until well coated.
Preheat the air fryer to 365 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 24 minutes until the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Flip the chicken thighs halfway through.
Remove the chicken thighs from the air fryer. Let cool for 3 minutes, then enjoy!

Oven Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and add them to a medium sized bowl.
Mix together the olive oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the chicken thighs and rub all over the chicken thighs until well coated.
Add the chicken thighs, skin up, to a baking dish and bake for 30 to 40 minutes until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165 Fahrenheit.
Remove the chicken thighs from oven. Let them cool for 3 minutes. Then enjoy!

Video

Notes

Storage And Reheating Instructions:

Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Reheat in a preheated air fryer of 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes until crispy. You can also reheat them in the microwave but they won't have the same crispiness to them. Personally, I prefer reheating these in the air fryer.

Pro Tips:

Cook chicken thighs skin down first. This is so you don’t overcook the skin before the middle is done.
Cook time varies based on the size of your chicken thighs. Smaller thighs will need less time so be sure to keep an eye on them while cooking. Always check on them halfway through.
Pat the chicken thighs dry to remove excess moisture. This will make them extra crispy.
The air fryer I used was the Instant Vortex Plus 6 quart. Since all air fryers are different, you will need to adjust the cook time based on the air fryer you are using.

Nutrition