How-to · Air Fryers
Air Fryer Cooking Times and Temperatures Chart
Short answer: Most things cook at 375 to 400 °F (190 to 200 °C). Frozen fries and wings go at 400 °F for 15 to 25 minutes; chicken thighs, pork chops and fish at 375 °F for 8 to 20 minutes; chicken breast and anything you are reheating at 350 to 360 °F. Shake or flip halfway, and use a thermometer for meat: 165 °F (74 °C) for chicken, 145 °F (63 °C) for pork and fish.
Every chart like this is a starting point. Air fryers differ in fan strength and basket size, and a thick chicken thigh is not a thin one. Cook something once from the chart, check it early, and note what worked in your machine.
Frozen foods
Frozen foods are what air fryers do best. No thawing, no oil needed, 400 °F.
| Food | Temp | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| French fries (thin) | 400 °F / 200 °C | 12 to 15 min | Shake twice |
| French fries (thick / steak) | 400 °F | 18 to 22 min | Shake twice |
| Tater tots, hash browns | 400 °F | 12 to 15 min | Single layer |
| Chicken nuggets | 400 °F | 10 to 12 min | Flip halfway |
| Chicken tenders (breaded) | 400 °F | 12 to 15 min | Flip |
| Fish sticks | 400 °F | 10 to 12 min | Flip |
| Mozzarella sticks | 390 °F | 6 to 8 min | Watch for leaks |
| Onion rings | 400 °F | 10 to 12 min | Single layer |
| Pizza rolls, egg rolls | 390 °F | 8 to 10 min | Flip |
| Frozen vegetables | 400 °F | 10 to 14 min | A little oil helps |
| Frozen burger patty | 375 °F | 14 to 16 min | Flip; check 160 °F |
Chicken
| Cut | Temp | Time | Internal temp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wings | 400 °F | 22 to 26 min | 165 °F / 74 °C |
| Drumsticks | 390 °F | 20 to 24 min | 165 °F |
| Thighs, bone-in | 380 °F | 20 to 25 min | 165 °F |
| Thighs, boneless | 380 °F | 15 to 18 min | 165 °F |
| Breast, boneless | 360 °F | 14 to 18 min | 165 °F |
| Whole chicken, 4 lb (1.8 kg) | 350 °F | 50 to 60 min | 165 °F in the thigh |
| Tenders, fresh | 375 °F | 10 to 12 min | 165 °F |
Breast dries out fast; pull it at 160 °F and let it rest to 165. Skin-on cuts go skin side down first, then flip for the second half so the skin finishes crisp.
Beef, pork and lamb
| Cut | Temp | Time | Internal temp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steak, 1 in (2.5 cm) | 400 °F | 10 to 14 min | 130 to 135 °F for medium-rare |
| Burger patty, fresh | 375 °F | 10 to 12 min | 160 °F / 71 °C |
| Meatballs | 375 °F | 10 to 12 min | 160 °F |
| Pork chop, 1 in | 375 °F | 12 to 15 min | 145 °F / 63 °C |
| Pork tenderloin | 375 °F | 20 to 25 min | 145 °F |
| Sausages | 375 °F | 10 to 12 min | 160 °F |
| Bacon | 400 °F | 8 to 10 min | Crisp; drain the fat |
| Lamb chops | 400 °F | 8 to 12 min | 135 °F for medium-rare |
Fish and seafood
| Food | Temp | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon fillet | 375 °F | 8 to 10 min | 145 °F; skin side down |
| White fish fillet | 375 °F | 8 to 12 min | Flakes easily |
| Shrimp | 375 °F | 6 to 8 min | Pink and curled |
| Scallops | 400 °F | 5 to 7 min | Do not overcook |
| Breaded fish fillet (fresh) | 390 °F | 10 to 12 min | Flip |
Vegetables and potatoes
Toss with a teaspoon of oil and salt; shake halfway.
| Food | Temp | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli florets | 400 °F | 8 to 10 min |
| Brussels sprouts, halved | 400 °F | 12 to 15 min |
| Cauliflower florets | 400 °F | 12 to 15 min |
| Carrots, sliced | 400 °F | 12 to 15 min |
| Asparagus | 400 °F | 6 to 8 min |
| Green beans | 400 °F | 8 to 10 min |
| Bell pepper strips | 400 °F | 8 to 10 min |
| Zucchini, sliced | 400 °F | 8 to 10 min |
| Mushrooms | 380 °F | 8 to 10 min |
| Sweet potato fries, fresh | 400 °F | 15 to 18 min |
| Potato wedges, fresh | 400 °F | 18 to 22 min |
| Baby potatoes, halved | 400 °F | 18 to 20 min |
| Baked potato, whole | 400 °F | 35 to 45 min |
| Corn on the cob | 400 °F | 12 to 15 min |
| Tofu cubes, pressed | 400 °F | 12 to 15 min |
Reheating
| Food | Temp | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pizza | 350 °F | 3 to 5 min |
| Fried chicken | 375 °F | 6 to 8 min |
| French fries | 400 °F | 3 to 5 min |
| Roast vegetables | 375 °F | 4 to 6 min |
| Egg rolls, spring rolls | 375 °F | 4 to 6 min |
More detail in our reheating guide.
Baking and eggs
| Food | Temp | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cookies (on parchment) | 325 °F | 6 to 8 min |
| Muffins (in cups) | 325 °F | 12 to 15 min |
| Hard-boiled eggs (in shell) | 270 °F | 15 min, then ice water |
| Garlic bread | 350 °F | 4 to 6 min |
| Toasted nuts | 300 °F | 5 to 7 min |
Baking in an air fryer runs hot and dry; go 25 °F lower than the oven recipe and check early.
Safe internal temperatures
| Meat | Pull at |
|---|---|
| Chicken and turkey | 165 °F / 74 °C |
| Ground beef, pork, lamb | 160 °F / 71 °C |
| Pork chops and roasts | 145 °F / 63 °C, rest 3 min |
| Fish | 145 °F / 63 °C |
| Beef steak, medium-rare | 130 to 135 °F / 54 to 57 °C |
A probe thermometer costs less than a takeout meal and is the one accessory worth buying with an air fryer. The rest of what goes wrong in an air fryer is covered in our mistakes guide.
FAQ
How do I convert an oven recipe to an air fryer?
Lower the temperature by about 25 °F (15 °C) and cut the time by about 20%, then check early. A recipe that says 400 °F for 25 minutes in the oven is roughly 375 °F for 20 minutes in the air fryer.
Do I need to preheat?
Rarely. Most air fryers are at temperature within two minutes. For meat where you want a seared surface, preheat for three minutes. For frozen food and vegetables, just start.
Why do my times differ from the chart?
Air fryers vary a lot in fan strength and basket size, and food varies in size and starting temperature. Treat the chart as a first attempt, note what worked in your machine, and use a thermometer for meat.
What internal temperature should chicken reach?
165 °F (74 °C) in the thickest part. Pork and fish: 145 °F (63 °C). Ground beef: 160 °F (71 °C). Steak to your preference, 130 to 135 °F for medium-rare. A probe thermometer takes the guesswork out.
Can I cook two things at once?
Yes, if they need a similar temperature and you have room for a single layer. Start the longer-cooking item first and add the second partway through. Dual-basket air fryers let you run two settings at once.