If you want proper crispy chicken without breadcrumbs, this is it. These air fryer chicken thighs come out golden and crunchy, with garlic and parmesan doing the heavy lifting.
It’s low effort, high reward, and perfect when you want dinner to feel like a treat while staying keto.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs (skin-on, bone-in)
- 2 tbsp Yo Keto Grass-Fed Tallow, melted (or olive oil)
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cracked pepper
- Lemon wedges, to serve (optional)
Method
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towel. This is what helps the skin go crispy.
- In a bowl, mix parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Brush the chicken all over with melted Yo Keto Grass-Fed Tallow. Coat generously with the parmesan spice mix, pressing it on so it sticks.
- Preheat your air fryer to 200°C for 3 minutes.
- Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the basket (don’t overcrowd). Air fry for 12 minutes.
- Flip skin-side up and air fry for another 10–14 minutes, until the skin is crisp and the chicken is cooked through.
- Rest for 5 minutes, then serve as-is or with a squeeze of lemon.
Keto Tip: The Crispy Trick That Actually Works
Keto-friendly crunch is mostly about moisture control. Dry chicken skin + a high-heat fat (like tallow) + hot air circulation is what gives you that proper crisp finish without flour or crumbs.
Short on Time?
If you want the same crispy vibe with even less prep, use Yo Keto Keto Crumb as a quick coating option. Toss the chicken in tallow, coat, then air fry. Easy.
Serving Ideas
- Cauliflower mash with extra salt and butter
- Simple leafy salad with a creamy dressing
- Air fried broccoli tossed in tallow and sea salt
FAQs
Can I use boneless thighs?
Yes. They’ll cook faster. Start checking around the 16–18 minute mark total and aim for cooked-through with crisp edges.
Will the parmesan burn?
It can if your air fryer runs hot. If you notice it browning too fast, drop the temp to 190°C for the second half of cooking.
Can I meal prep this?
Absolutely. Store in the fridge and re-crisp in the air fryer for 3–5 minutes at 200°C. Microwave will soften the skin.
If you make this, keep it simple and let the crisp do the talking. It’s one of those recipes you’ll come back to when you want keto to feel effortless.