Air fryer cooking temperatures and times for easy reference
No doubt that the air fryer is a great kitchen appliance which can be used to cook different types of food. It is quite easy to use and clean up so it’s perfect for people who do not have a lot of time on their hands on. This article will give you some handy air fryer times and air fryer temperatures so you can get started. But, let’s first have a look at what can be cooked in the air fryer.
What can I cook in the air fryer?
Of course, the most well-known food in the air fryer are French fries. But what else can I cook? It can be used to grill, bake and roast. However, these are just the basic functions. If you get bigger models or multifunctional air fryers, there are a lot more functions that it can do. For example, the Philips Air Fryer XXL can reheat, dehydrate, and toast on top of the basic functions. And, the Instant Vortex Pro Air Fryer Oven can rotisserie, dehydrate, toast, and broil in addition to the basic functions. With these functions, I can cook most things with some exceptions.
What not to put in the air fryer?
Most foods can be cooked in the air fryer. However, I would not recommend putting these things in an air fryer if you are looking for crispy results.
Cheese (especially soft cheese) will become soggy when exposed to high temperature so it will be a messy pile. However, if you coat the cheese or place it on a food base (for example flatbread) then it would be fine.
Wet battered food needs to be submerged in oil at a high temperature to cook and give it that crunchy texture. As the air fryer cooks with circulating heat, the wet batter will not be cooked properly and the fan will splatter the batter all over the inside.
Rice and pasta need to be cooked in boiling water so these foods will not be cooked in the air fryer.
Light weight food like leafy greens will fly around the air fryer as the hot air is circulating. This can be a safety hazard as it may get stuck in the fan or touch the heating element.
How long does it take to cook in the air fryer?
The time required to cook food depends on several factors: size, temperature, texture and quantity of food. So, for example if you’re cooking something like a steak, the thicker the steak the longer it will take to cook. And if you’re cooking a lot of food at once, this naturally takes more time.
However, I have put together an air fryer cooking chart to give you some idea on the cooking times. These estimates are based on a family sized air fryer, like the Consori Max XL, and the food needs to be placed loosely in a single layer.
They will be a good starting point for your air fryer recipes. Please note that different models of air fryers may vary in temperature and timing slightly. It is recommended to check the internal temperature with a food thermometer to make sure that the food is cooked thoroughly. There are some multifunctional air fryers, like the NuWave Brio Air Fryer + Grill, have an integrated temperature probe where the food will stop cooking once the internal temperature is reached.
Air Fried Frozen Foods
| Food | Quantity | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen French Fries | 1lb. | 454 g | 400°F (205°C) | 20 minutes |
| Frozen Garlic Bread | 1 French bread style | 360°F (182°C) | 5 minutes |
| Frozen Chicken Nuggets | 12 pieces | 390°F (199°C) | 15 minutes |
| Frozen Sausage Rolls | 12 pieces (2 inch| 5 cm) each | 360°F (182°C) | 15 minutes |
| Frozen Fish Sticks | 12 pieces | 400°F (205°C) | 10 minutes |
| Frozen Meatballs | 1lb.| 454g | 380°F (193°C) | 12 minutes |
| Frozen Salmon (not defrosted) | 2 narrow pieces | 390°F (199°C) | 15 minutes |
Air Fried Vegetables
| Food | Quantity | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butternut Pumpkin | 1 small butternut pumpkin | 347°F (175°C) | 25 minutes |
| Button mushrooms | 0.7lb.| 300g | 320°F (160°C) | 15 minutes |
| Brussels Spouts | 0.7lb.| 300g | 350°F (177°C) | 15 minutes |
| Cauliflower | 1 cauliflower (only use florets) | 392°F (200°C) | 15 minutes |
| Zucchini | 1lb.| 455g | 400°F (205°C) | 15 minutes |
| Eggplant | 1 eggplant | 400°F (205°C) | 17 minutes |
Air Fried Meats
| Food | Quantity | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pork baby back ribs | 1.9lb | 900 g | 356°F (180°C) | 30 minutes |
| Chicken wings | 1.1lb| 500g | 338°F (170°C) | 20 minutes |
| Lamb fillet | 0.7lb| 300g | 356°F (180°C) | 15 minutes |
| Beef loin steak | 1lb.| 455g | 400°F (205°C) | 15 minutes |
| Fresh hamburger patties | 4 pieces | 350°F (177°C) | 10 minutes |
| Chicken Drumsticks | 8 pieces | 356°F (180°C) | 25 minutes |
Air Fried Seafood
| Food | Quantity | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh Salmon fillets | 2 narrow pieces | 347°F (175°C) | 15 minutes |
| Squid tubes | 0.7lb| 300g | 356°F (180°C) | 10 minutes |
| Snapper fillets | 0.9lb|400g | 347°F (175°C) | 10 minutes |
| Prawns or shrimps (in shells) | 0.7lb| 300g | 356°F (180°C) | 10 minutes |
Conclusion
The air fryer is a healthy alternative to deep frying food and is has a shorter cooking time than an oven. The short cooking time keeps the nutrient content in the food so it’s also good for you.
Crunchy or crispy foods can be cooked in this appliance and experimenting with different recipes will give you delicious results. Just keep in mind what to avoid cooking in the air fryer and you will enjoy all the benefits of the air fryer. I hope that my chart has given you some ideas on what you can cook in the air fryer. The next step is to get one and start cooking!
