Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes to ensure it's hot and ready for cooking.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
In a small bowl, combine the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to create a seasoning blend.
Brush the olive oil evenly over the chicken thighs to help the seasoning adhere.
Sprinkle the seasoning blend over both sides of each chicken thigh, ensuring they are well coated.
Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the top side of each chicken thigh. The sugar will create a sweet glaze as it cooks.
Place the seasoned chicken thighs, skin-side up, in the preheated air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overcrowded to allow for proper air circulation.
Cook the chicken thighs at 375°F (190°C) for approximately 25-30 minutes. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size of the thighs and your air fryer model.
Halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer and carefully flip the chicken thighs to ensure even cooking and browning.
The chicken thighs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the skin is crispy and browned. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Once cooked, remove the chicken thighs from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
Serve your Air Fryer Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs hot, garnished with fresh herbs or a drizzle of extra brown sugar glaze if desired.