Complete Air Fryer Temperature and Time Chart

Air fryers have revolutionized home cooking, offering a healthier alternative to deep frying while delivering crispy, delicious results. Whether you’re new to air frying or looking to perfect your technique, this comprehensive air fryer temperature and time chart will help you cook everything from crispy chicken wings to roasted vegetables with confidence.

Table of Contents

Understanding Air Fryer Cooking Times and Temperatures

An air fryer cooking chart is essential for achieving perfectly cooked food every time. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around food at high speeds, creating that coveted crispy exterior without excessive oil. This cooking method is faster and more efficient than traditional ovens, cutting cooking times by 20-65% depending on your air fryer model.

Why Air Fryer Times Differ from Oven Cooking

Air fryers cook food significantly faster than conventional ovens due to their compact design and intense hot air circulation. When converting recipes from oven to air fryer, follow these air fryer conversion guidelines:

Reduce temperature by 25°F (15-20°C)
Cut cooking time by approximately 20%
No preheating required (or minimal 2-3 minutes)

For example, if a recipe calls for baking at 400°F for 20 minutes in a conventional oven, set your air fryer to 375°F and check at 16 minutes.

Complete Air Fryer Temperature and Time Chart

Poultry: Chicken and Turkey Air Fryer Settings

Food Item	Temperature	Cooking Time	Notes
Chicken Breast (boneless, 4 oz)	375-380°F	12-22 minutes	Internal temp: 165°F
Chicken Breast (bone-in, 1.25 lbs)	370°F	25 minutes	Flip halfway through
Chicken Wings (2 lbs)	375-400°F	10-12 minutes	Shake basket twice
Chicken Thighs (boneless)	380-400°F	18-25 minutes	Crispier skin at higher temp
Chicken Drumsticks (2.5 lbs)	370°F	20 minutes	Turn once
Chicken Tenders	360-400°F	8-16 minutes	Check at 8 minutes
Whole Chicken	360°F	75 minutes	Truss for even cooking

Pro Tip: Always check internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Chicken should reach 165°F for food safety.

Beef and Pork: Air Fryer Meat Cooking Chart

Food Item	Temperature	Cooking Time	Doneness
Burgers (4 oz patties)	350-370°F	8-18 minutes	Medium: 160°F
Steak (1-inch thick)	400°F	7-14 minutes	Rare to well-done
Filet Mignon (8 oz)	400°F	18 minutes	Medium-rare: 135°F
Pork Chops (bone-in, 1-inch)	400°F	12-15 minutes	Internal: 145°F
Pork Tenderloin	370°F	15 minutes	Slice to check
Bacon (regular)	400°F	5-8 minutes	Add water to pan
Sausages	380-400°F	8-15 minutes	Turn halfway
Meatballs (1-inch)	370-400°F	7-10 minutes	Shake basket

Fish and Seafood Air Fryer Guide

Food Item	Temperature	Cooking Time	Tips
Salmon (6 oz fillet)	380-400°F	5-14 minutes	Skin-side down
Shrimp	375-400°F	5-8 minutes	Don’t overcrowd
Fish Fillets (1-inch, cod/tilapia)	370-400°F	8-10 minutes	Delicate fish
Scallops	400°F	5-7 minutes	Pat dry first
Lobster Tails	370°F	5-7 minutes	Brush with butter
Crab Cakes	400°F	10 minutes	Spray with oil

Vegetables: Air Fryer Vegetable Cooking Times

Vegetable	Temperature	Cooking Time	Preparation
Asparagus	375-400°F	4-6 minutes	1-inch pieces
Broccoli (florets)	400°F	6-10 minutes	Toss in oil
Brussels Sprouts (halved)	350-380°F	15-18 minutes	Shake twice
Carrots (sliced)	375-380°F	15-25 minutes	½-inch slices
Cauliflower (florets)	400°F	10-12 minutes	Season well
Green Beans	375-400°F	5-20 minutes	Whole or trimmed
Potatoes (1-inch cubes)	400°F	12-15 minutes	For hash
Baked Potatoes (whole)	400°F	30-45 minutes	Pierce with fork
Sweet Potatoes (cubed)	375°F	15-20 minutes	Toss halfway
Zucchini (½-inch sticks)	400°F	12 minutes	Light coating
Roast Potatoes	200°C (400°F)	15-26 minutes	Crispy outside

Frozen Foods: Air Fryer Frozen Food Chart

Food Item	Temperature	Cooking Time	Instructions
Frozen Chips/Fries (thin)	180-400°F	14-25 minutes	Shake 2-3 times
Frozen Chips/Fries (thick)	400°F	18 minutes	Don’t overlap
Tater Tots	400°F	12-15 minutes	Shake basket
Mozzarella Sticks	400°F	6-8 minutes	Don’t thaw
Chicken Nuggets	400°F	10-14 minutes	Single layer
Fish Sticks	400°F	10 minutes	Flip once
Corn Dogs	400°F	8 minutes	Turn halfway
Buffalo Wings (frozen)	400°F	12-15 minutes	Increase time if needed

Appetizers and Snacks Air Fryer Times

Snack	Temperature	Cooking Time	Best Practices
Quesadillas	375°F	5-7 minutes	Flip halfway
Mini Pizzas	400°F	4-5 minutes	Watch closely
Onion Rings	400°F	8-14 minutes	Breaded variety
Pickles (fried)	400°F	14-20 minutes	Battered
Nachos	375°F	5-7 minutes	Layer carefully
Potato Chips (homemade)	360°F	15-17 minutes	Slice thin

Baking in the Air Fryer

Baked Good	Temperature	Cooking Time	Notes
Cookies	325°F	8-10 minutes	Line basket
Brownies	325°F	40-45 minutes	Use pan insert
Cupcakes	325°F	11-13 minutes	Fill ⅔ full
Yorkshire Pudding	180-220°C	3-8 minutes	High heat start

Air Fryer Cooking Tips for Perfect Results

Essential Air Fryer Tips and Tricks

1. Don’t Overfill the Basket Give food space for hot air to circulate. Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking and soggy results instead of crispy perfection.

2. Shake, Flip, and Rotate For even cooking, shake the basket or flip food halfway through. This is especially important for frozen foods, vegetables, and smaller items.

3. Use Oil Sparingly A light spray of cooking oil enhances browning and crispiness. Use an oil mister or brush for best control.

4. Preheat When Necessary While air fryers heat quickly, preheating for 2-3 minutes ensures accurate cooking times, especially for meats and baked goods.

5. Check Food Early Air fryer models vary. Start checking food a few minutes before the recommended time to prevent overcooking.

6. Clean After Every Use Remove grease and food particles from the basket and drawer after each use to maintain efficiency and prevent smoking.

Common Air Fryer Mistakes to Avoid

Using too much oil – Defeats the purpose of air frying
Not drying food – Excess moisture prevents crisping
Skipping the flip – Results in uneven cooking
Ignoring size differences – Adjust times for larger/smaller portions
Blocking airflow – Don’t use foil in the basket

Converting Your Favorite Recipes to Air Fryer

Oven to Air Fryer Conversion Formula

Use this simple air fryer conversion chart method:

Reduce oven temperature by 25°F
- Oven: 400°F → Air Fryer: 375°F
Reduce cooking time by 20%
- Oven: 20 minutes → Air Fryer: 16 minutes
Check food periodically
- Different air fryer models may cook at different rates

Deep Fryer to Air Fryer Conversion

When converting deep-fried recipes:

Set temperature to 350-400°F
Lightly spray food with oil before and during cooking
Expect similar cooking times to deep frying
Results will be crispy with significantly less oil

Air Fryer Models and Performance Differences

How Ninja Air Fryers Compare

Ninja air fryers can reduce cooking times by up to 65% compared to fan ovens. For example:

Sausages: 8 minutes (vs 20-25 in oven)
Burgers: 10 minutes (vs 20-25 in oven)
Baked potatoes: 30-40 minutes (vs 65-80 in oven)

Dual Zone Air Fryers

Dual zone air fryers allow you to cook two different foods at different temperatures simultaneously, perfect for complete meals.

Air Fryer Temperature Settings Explained

Understanding Temperature Ranges

250-300°F: Gentle cooking for delicate items like kale chips
325-350°F: Baking, reheating, cooking fish
360-380°F: Most meats, vegetables, general cooking
400°F: High heat for crispy exteriors, quick cooking

Best Air Fryer Temperature for Common Foods

Crispy chicken: 380-400°F
Tender fish: 370-380°F
Roasted vegetables: 375-400°F
Frozen foods: 400°F
Baked goods: 325°F

Food Safety and Internal Temperatures

Always use a meat thermometer to ensure food safety:

Chicken and poultry: 165°F
Ground beef: 160°F
Pork: 145°F (with 3-minute rest)
Fish: 145°F
Steak (medium-rare): 135°F

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

Preheating for 2-3 minutes ensures accurate cooking times and better results, though it’s not always essential.

Why is my air fryer smoking?

Smoking usually occurs from excess grease. Add a little water to the bottom drawer when cooking fatty foods like bacon or burgers.

Can I stack food in my air fryer?

Avoid stacking. Food needs space for air circulation. Cook in batches for best results.

How do I make food crispier in the air fryer?

Pat food dry, use a light oil spray, don’t overcrowd, and shake/flip halfway through cooking.

What foods can’t go in an air fryer?

Avoid wet batters, leafy greens (they’ll blow around), and whole roasts that won’t fit properly.

Printable Air Fryer Cheat Sheet

For quick reference, keep an air fryer cooking time chart near your appliance. Many brands offer downloadable guides, or you can create your own based on the foods you cook most often.

Quick Reference Guide

Most Common Settings:

Chicken: 370-400°F
Beef: 400°F
Fish: 370-400°F
Vegetables: 375-400°F
Frozen foods: 400°F
Baking: 325°F

Conclusion

This comprehensive air fryer temperature and time chart takes the guesswork out of air frying. Whether you’re cooking fresh chicken breasts, frozen french fries, or roasted vegetables, these guidelines will help you achieve perfect results every time. Remember to adjust cooking times based on your specific air fryer model, portion sizes, and personal preferences.

With practice, you’ll develop an intuitive sense for air fryer cooking times and temperatures. Start with these recommendations, make notes on what works best for your appliance, and soon you’ll be creating crispy, delicious meals with confidence.

Happy air frying!