Step by step
- 1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (205°C) for 2–3 minutes.
- 2. Single layer. Arrange without crowding — air needs to reach every side.
- 3. Cook 20–25 minutes. Shake the basket or flip at the halfway mark.
- 4. Check doneness. Confirm 165°F (75°C) at the thickest part with a thermometer.
The tip that matters
A dry rub applied 30 minutes ahead sticks better than one applied just before.
Times vary — here's why
Air fryers differ in wattage and basket size, so treat 20–25 minutes as a range, not a promise: check early the first time, then note what your machine needed. Quantity matters too — a full basket can add 2–3 minutes, and anything stacked will steam instead of crisp. Converting your own oven recipe instead? Use our air fryer conversion calculator.
More chicken
Chicken Wings · Chicken Breast · Chicken Thighs (bone-in) — or see the full air fryer cooking times chart.