Lay your chicken thighs on a cutting board or clean tray and press both sides firmly with paper towels to remove all surface moisture. Add the thighs to a large mixing bowl and drizzle with avocado oil.
Sprinkle on the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, ground ginger, black pepper, and kosher salt. Use your hands or tongs to turn each piece until the seasonings coat every surface evenly.
Lightly spray your air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer without touching each other, as crowding will steam the chicken instead of crisping it. For boneless thighs, set the temperature to 380°F and cook for 10 minutes, then flip and continue for another 6-8 minutes. For bone-in thighs, start with 12 minutes, flip, then cook for another 10-12 minutes. The chicken should be deeply browned and nearly cooked through.
Brush each thigh generously with Bachan's teriyaki sauce, making sure to coat the top surface completely. Return to the air fryer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens, clings to the chicken, and develops a glossy, caramelized finish.
Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes so the juices redistribute throughout the meat. This keeps every bite tender and moist. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or sliced green onions if you want a little extra flair.
Notes
Pat the chicken very dry - This is the single most important step for achieving crispy skin. Any surface moisture will steam in the air fryer instead of browning.
Don't crowd the basket - Leaving space between the thighs allows hot air to circulate properly. If they're touching, they'll steam and turn pale instead of getting those beautiful crispy edges.
Apply glaze at the end - Brushing the teriyaki sauce on at the beginning will cause the sugars to burn before the chicken cooks through. Save it for the final 2-3 minutes.
Check temperature - A digital thermometer should read about 175°F for maximum tenderness in chicken thighs. They're more forgiving than breasts and taste best slightly past the standard 165°F.
Let it rest - Those few minutes of resting time make a huge difference in juiciness. Cutting into the chicken immediately causes all those flavorful juices to run out onto your plate.