Begin by preparing the chicken thighs. Trim any excess skin or fat for a healthier meal. Pat the thighs dry with paper towels to ensure the skin crisps up nicely in the air fryer.

Score the skin side of the chicken thighs lightly, making shallow cuts. This helps the seasoning penetrate and gives more flavor to your cooked thighs.

In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and sea salt.

Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken thighs, ensuring they are evenly coated. This is what creates a delicious crust.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.

Arrange the chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin-side down, and cook for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, brush the chicken generously with barbecue sauce.

Continue to cook for another 5 minutes to allow the barbecue sauce to caramelize.

Flip the chicken thighs to skin-side up and apply another layer of barbecue sauce. Cook for a final 3 to 5 minutes.

Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm with extra barbecue sauce on the side for dipping if desired. DEVOUR!