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Home » Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs

Published: Oct 19, 2021 · Last Updated: Apr 23, 2024 by Aimee - This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs are a great way to get in that delicious buffalo wing flavor, but with chicken thighs instead. These air fryer chicken thighs crisp up perfectly in the air fryer while the inside stays tender and juicy.

buffalo chicken thighs topped with blue cheese and green onions

I'm such a fan of buffalo wings. But I never buy wings at the store. However, I do buy chicken thighs all the time. And lately, my favorite way to cook chicken thighs is in my air fryer.

I've used my air fryer to make my popular Air Fryer Greek Chicken Thighs, so I figured I needed a buffalo sauce version to cure my cravings, especially during football season.

And these did not disappoint. A nice, spicy and vinegary buffalo sauce that literally had me licking my fingers paired with crispy, juicy chicken thighs. SO good.

These air fryer chicken thighs are made with a homemade buffalo sauce that coats the chicken for a delicious and perfectly spicy chicken dish.

Not a fan of spice? Check out our classic recipe for air fryer bone in chicken thighs.

Why make buffalo chicken thighs in the air fryer

  • So much quicker than in an oven!
  • Skin gets so crispy with a small amount of oil.
  • Can put them in the air fryer and forget them until they are done.
chicken thighs with buffalo sauce and blue cheese

How to make air fryer buffalo chicken thighs

Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 degrees F.

Take your chicken thighs and pat dry with paper towels. Salt the chicken thighs, then rub the olive oil onto both sides of all the chicken thighs. Place in the air fryer, skin side up, and cook until internal temp reaches 175-180 degrees F.

raw chicken thighs

Let the chicken thighs rest while making the buffalo sauce.

In a skillet, heat the pepper sauce, butter, white vinegar, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce over medium heat.

making buffalo sauce

Once butter melts, heat over low heat for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Don't let the sauce split, make sure to turn off heat once sauce is hot.

making buffalo sauce

Add the chicken thighs to the sauce, dipping both the top and bottom in the sauce.

Plate, then serve with blue cheese and sliced green onions if desired.

buffalo chicken thighs up close

Cooking tips

  • All air fryers cook differently. I recommend using a meat thermometer to check for doneness. I like to cook my chicken thighs to a temperature of 175-180 degrees F.
  • Cooking times may vary based on the size of your chicken thighs. For smaller thighs, it may only take 16-18 minutes, while large ones may take 20-25 minutes.
  • These chicken thighs don't require any flipping.
  • Let the chicken thighs rest for 5 minutes before placing in the buffalo sauce.
  • To simplify the recipe, you can use store-bought buffalo sauce and heat it up before using.
  • You can serve as is, or with a side of blue cheese or ranch dressing, or topped with blue cheese and some green onions.

What to serve with the chicken

  • Crispy Air Fryer Squash
  • Battered French Fries
  • Oven-roasted Green Beans
  • Peach Panzanella

What is buffalo sauce?

Buffalo sauce is a vinegary hot sauce that paired a lot with chicken, especially chicken wings. It's slightly spicy, but has a acid punch from the vinegar and a slight creaminess from the butter.

I also love drizzling buffalo sauce over potatoes, like with these buffalo crispy smashed potatoes. I've also made air fryer buffalo wings.

More air fryer chicken recipes

  • Air Fryer Panko Chicken
  • Air Fryer Chili Lime Chicken Breast
  • Air Fryer Greek Chicken Thighs
  • Air Fryer Paprika Chicken Thighs
  • Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
  • Air Fryer Pretzel Chicken

More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

Air fryer buffalo chicken thighs

Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs

Recipe by Aimee
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Thighs are a great way to get in that delicious buffalo wing flavor, but with chicken thighs instead.
5 from 6 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Resting time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 372 kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Meat Thermometer

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken thighs
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Buffalo Sauce

  • ½ cup hot pepper sauce
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 degrees F.
  • Dry the chicken thighs with paper towels, then salt both sides of each of the chicken thighs. Rub the olive oil onto both sides of the chicken thighs.
  • After air fryer is preheated, add the chicken thighs, skin side up. Cook in the air fryer for 20-25 minutes (16-18 minutes for smaller thighs). Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
  • Once chicken thighs are cooked, let rest for 5 minutes and cook buffalo sauce.
  • Take the pepper sauce, butter, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder and add to a medium skillet over medium heat, cooking until butter is melted, stirring occasionally.
  • Once butter is melted, turn heat to low and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until sauce is hot, but not split/broken (where the butter separates from the sauce).
  • Dip each chicken thigh in the sauce, coating the top and bottom, and then plate.
  • Top as desired and enjoy immediately.

Notes

Cooking tips:
  • All air fryers cook differently. I recommend using a meat thermometer to check for doneness. I like to cook my chicken thighs to a temperature of 175-180 degrees F.
  • Cooking times may vary based on the size of your chicken thighs. For smaller thighs, it may only take 16-18 minutes, while large ones may take 20-25 minutes.
  • These chicken thighs don't require any flipping.
  • Let the chicken thighs rest for 5 minutes before placing in the buffalo sauce.
  • To simplify the recipe, you can use store-bought buffalo sauce and heat it up before using.
  • You can serve as is, or with a side of blue cheese or ranch dressing, or topped with blue cheese and some green onions.

Nutrition

Calories: 372kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 19gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 141mgSodium: 1031mgPotassium: 284mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 492IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg

If nutrition info is shown, values are based on an online calculator and are estimates. Please verify using your own data.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Helen Best-Shaw

    October 26, 2021 at 6:28 am

    5 stars
    i completely agree that thighs are so much better, and less fiddly than wings. Love these!

    Reply
5 from 6 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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Hi! I'm Aimee, and I'm so glad you stopped by! I love sharing easy recipes that are flavorful and delicious.
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