The most common air fryer question is not “what should I cook?” but “how long, and at what temperature?” Recipes online disagree, every machine runs a little differently, and nobody wants dry chicken or soggy fries. This guide gives you a practical starting chart for everyday foods, explains why your results may vary, and shows how to adjust so you can cook with more confidence.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our full affiliate disclosure.
Food safety note: Times below are starting points, not guarantees. Always check that meat, poultry, and fish reach safe internal temperatures with a food thermometer, and follow your appliance manufacturer’s instructions.
How to Use This Chart
Air fryers are small convection ovens. A fan moves hot air around the food, which browns the surface quickly. Because of that, results depend on several factors:
- Basket size and wattage. Compact models often cook faster than large oven-style units, or the reverse, depending on airflow.
- How full the basket is. A crowded basket blocks airflow and adds time.
- Food thickness and starting temperature. A thick chicken breast straight from the fridge takes longer than a thin cutlet.
- Preheating. Some models need it, some do not. A preheated basket gives a more predictable result.
Use the chart as your first attempt, check a few minutes early, and write down what worked for your machine. After a few weeks, you will have your own personal chart.
Air Fryer Time and Temperature Chart: Common Foods
Temperatures are given in Fahrenheit with Celsius in brackets. Times assume a single layer and shaking or flipping halfway.
Chicken and poultry
| Food | Temperature | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast, boneless (about 6 to 8 oz) | 375°F (190°C) | 16 to 22 minutes |
| Chicken thighs, boneless | 380°F (195°C) | 15 to 20 minutes |
| Chicken thighs, bone-in | 380°F (195°C) | 22 to 28 minutes |
| Chicken wings | 380°F to 400°F (195°C to 200°C) | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Chicken tenders | 400°F (200°C) | 10 to 14 minutes |
Poultry should reach 165°F (74°C) inside, measured at the thickest part.
Beef and pork
| Food | Temperature | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| Burgers (about 1/2 inch thick) | 370°F (185°C) | 10 to 14 minutes |
| Steak (1 inch thick) | 400°F (200°C) | 8 to 14 minutes, depending on doneness |
| Pork chops, boneless (1 inch) | 380°F (195°C) | 10 to 14 minutes |
| Pork tenderloin | 390°F (200°C) | 18 to 24 minutes |
| Sausages | 360°F (180°C) | 10 to 14 minutes |
Ground meat should reach 160°F (71°C). Whole cuts of beef and pork are commonly cooked to at least 145°F (63°C) followed by a three-minute rest.
Fish and seafood
| Food | Temperature | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon fillet (1 inch) | 390°F (200°C) | 8 to 12 minutes |
| White fish fillets | 380°F (195°C) | 8 to 12 minutes |
| Shrimp, large | 400°F (200°C) | 6 to 9 minutes |
| Breaded fish (frozen) | 390°F (200°C) | 10 to 14 minutes |
Fish is done at 145°F (63°C) or when it flakes easily with a fork.
Vegetables and sides
| Food | Temperature | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| French fries, fresh cut | 380°F to 400°F (195°C to 200°C) | 15 to 25 minutes |
| French fries, frozen | 400°F (200°C) | 12 to 18 minutes |
| Broccoli florets | 375°F (190°C) | 7 to 10 minutes |
| Brussels sprouts, halved | 375°F (190°C) | 12 to 16 minutes |
| Potato wedges | 390°F (200°C) | 18 to 22 minutes |
| Sweet potato cubes | 380°F (195°C) | 14 to 18 minutes |
| Bell peppers and onions | 370°F (185°C) | 8 to 12 minutes |
Frozen snacks and baking
| Food | Temperature | Approximate time |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken nuggets, frozen | 390°F (200°C) | 8 to 12 minutes |
| Mozzarella sticks, frozen | 380°F (195°C) | 6 to 8 minutes |
| Reheating pizza slices | 350°F (175°C) | 3 to 5 minutes |
| Muffins or small cakes | 320°F (160°C) | 12 to 18 minutes |
| Cookies | 320°F to 330°F (160°C to 165°C) | 6 to 9 minutes |
How to Convert Oven Recipes to the Air Fryer
A widely used rule of thumb: lower the oven temperature by about 25°F (around 15°C) and reduce the time by about 20 percent. Then check early. For example, a recipe that bakes at 400°F for 25 minutes might start at 375°F for about 20 minutes in the air fryer.
This works best for roasted vegetables, chicken pieces, and frozen foods. It works less well for large roasts, liquids, and delicate batters, which may need more adjustment.
Tips for Better Results
- Do not overcrowd. Cook in batches if needed. Single layers brown evenly.
- Shake or flip halfway. Especially for fries, wings, and vegetables.
- Use a little oil. A light spray or toss helps browning on fresh foods. Most frozen foods are already coated.
- Pat food dry. Moisture on the surface slows browning.
- Use a thermometer. It is the only reliable way to know meat is cooked through.
- Keep a log. Note food, weight, temperature, and time. It turns guesswork into a routine.
Running into problems like soggy fries or smoke? Our guide to air fryer mistakes to avoid covers the usual causes.
Reheating Leftovers in the Air Fryer
The air fryer is one of the best tools for reheating foods that turn soggy in a microwave. Lower temperatures work better here because the food is already cooked; you only want to warm it through and restore some crispness.
- Fries and roasted potatoes: 350°F to 370°F (175°C to 185°C) for 3 to 6 minutes, shaking once.
- Fried chicken: 350°F to 375°F (175°C to 190°C) for 6 to 10 minutes, until hot all the way through.
- Roasted vegetables: 350°F (175°C) for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Spring rolls and pastries: 330°F to 350°F (165°C to 175°C) for 3 to 6 minutes.
Leftovers should be reheated until steaming hot. Avoid reheating saucy dishes or soups in the basket, since liquids can drip and smoke.
Fahrenheit and Celsius Quick Reference
Many recipes are written for one scale while your machine shows the other. These rounded conversions are close enough for everyday air frying: 320°F is about 160°C, 350°F is about 175°C, 360°F is about 180°C, 375°F is about 190°C, 390°F is about 200°C, and 400°F is about 205°C. If your dial moves in steps of five or ten degrees, pick the nearest setting and adjust the time slightly.
Want Time and Temperature Guidance Built Into Your Recipes?
A chart is helpful, but you still need to decide what to cook. If you want a ready-made system, Air Fryer Made Easy (sold as the Easy Fryer system) bundles 100 step-by-step recipes with five practical guides. According to its sales page, one of those guides is a quick time and temperature reference, and others cover weekly meal planning, shopping organization, common mistakes and fixes, and fast recipes for busy days. The purchase also includes the first month of the Easy Fryer App Premium, which offers cooking steps, time tracking, and alerts. The app continues at a monthly fee only if you choose to keep it. You can read our Air Fryer Made Easy review for full details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should I use in an air fryer for most foods?
Many everyday foods cook well between 360°F and 400°F (180°C to 200°C). Lower temperatures suit baking and reheating; higher ones suit crisping fries and wings.
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
It depends on the model. A few minutes of preheating often gives more consistent results, especially for meat and frozen foods. Check your manual.
Why does my food cook faster than the chart says?
Smaller or high-wattage air fryers can run hot. Start checking a few minutes early and note what works for your machine.
How do I know chicken is done in the air fryer?
Use a food thermometer. Chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
Can I cook frozen food without thawing?
Yes, many frozen foods are designed to go straight into the air fryer. Thick frozen meat may cook unevenly, so thawing it first is often better.
Tired of searching for times every night? See what is included in Air Fryer Made Easy and keep your recipes, times, and meal plans in one place.
Get the free Ebook Learning Playbook
A 7-day system to turn any ebook into real skills. Join the Ebook Path list.