Preheat the air fryer to 400°F, if your model requires preheating.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
Add the chicken thighs, sea salt, black pepper, and Parmesan to a bowl. Toss to coat the chicken evenly.
Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer. Add the garlic butter over the chicken.
Air fry at 400°F for 13 minutes.
Use tongs to turn and coat the chicken thighs in the melted garlic butter. Arrange the thighs skin-side up.
Air fry for another 11 to 12 minutes, or until the skin is crisp and the thickest part of the chicken reaches at least 165°F. Check the temperature without touching the bone.
Notes
Chicken thigh size: Cooking time can vary depending on the size of the thighs and your air fryer. Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm doneness.
Crispier skin: Pat the thighs dry before seasoning and finish them skin-side up.
Garlic butter: I use my Garlic Parmesan Herb Butter. If you use another prepared garlic butter, adjust the added salt as needed.
Parmesan: This adds a light savory coating and flavor. It does not create a thick Parmesan crust or breading.
Boneless thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs cook faster. Use the cooking time in my Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs recipe as your guide rather than following the timing here.
Batch size: Leave space between the thighs so hot air can circulate. Cook in batches if needed.