Last reviewed on 14 June 2026. Table of Contents How to Use This Chart Vegetable Cooking Times Poultry Cooking Times Beef and Pork Cooking Times Seafood Cooking Times Frozen Foods Cooking Times Oven to Air Fryer Conversion Essential Cooking Tips Air Fryer Cooking FAQ A comprehensive cooking times and temperature chart for air fryers. Whether you're cooking fresh vegetables, frozen foods, or proteins, these are starting points drawn from widely-used home-cooking practice — adjust the last minute or two to suit your model and how crisp you like things. Bookmark this page for quick reference while cooking. Every temperature below is given in both Fahrenheit and Celsius; if you need to convert a specific number, use our air fryer temperature conversion chart . AirFriers.org is reader-supported. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Learn more . Cooking times may vary based on your specific air fryer model, the size and thickness of food, and whether you preheat. Always check food a few minutes before the listed time and adjust as needed. How to Use This Chart For best results when using these cooking times: Preheat when indicated – Most foods benefit from a 2-3 minute preheat Don't overcrowd – Leave space between items for air circulation Shake or flip halfway – Unless otherwise noted, shake baskets or flip food at the halfway point Check early – Start checking 2-3 minutes before the minimum time Use a thermometer – For meats, always verify safe internal temperatures Adjust for size – Smaller pieces cook faster, larger pieces need more time Pat dry – Remove excess moisture for crispier results Light oil coating – 1-2 teaspoons of oil improves browning Cooking in a different scale? Use our air fryer temperature conversion chart to switch between °C and °F (and gas marks) in seconds. Safe Internal Temperature Guide Chicken and poultry: 165°F (74°C) Ground meats: 160°F (71°C) Beef, pork, lamb (steaks, roasts): 145°F (63°C) with 3-minute rest Fish and shellfish: 145°F (63°C) Leftovers and casseroles: 165°F (74°C) Vegetable Cooking Times Fresh vegetables turn beautifully crispy and caramelized in the air fryer. For best results, cut vegetables into uniform sizes and toss with 1-2 teaspoons of oil before cooking. Vegetable Pro Tip Don't skip the oil! Even a small amount (1-2 teaspoons) helps vegetables brown and prevents sticking. Use an oil sprayer for even distribution. Poultry Cooking Times Air fryers excel at cooking chicken and poultry, creating crispy skin while keeping meat juicy. Always verify internal temperature reaches 165°F. For a fuller breakdown of every cut — including whole chicken by weight — see our dedicated air fryer chicken times and temperatures guide. Beef and Pork Cooking Times Red meat and pork cook beautifully in air fryers. Adjust time based on desired doneness and always let steaks rest 5 minutes after cooking. For more detail, see our focused guides to air fryer steak (with a doneness chart) and air fryer pork times and temperatures . Seafood Cooking Times Seafood cooks quickly in air fryers and remains moist inside while developing a beautiful exterior. Don't overcook—seafood continues cooking after removal. Seafood Warning Fish cooks very quickly. Check 2-3 minutes before the minimum time to avoid overcooking. Fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and reaches 145°F. Frozen Foods Cooking Times Air fryers excel at cooking frozen foods straight from the freezer—no thawing required! These times are for foods cooked directly from frozen. Oven to Air Fryer Conversion Rules Want to convert your favorite oven recipes to air fryer? Follow these simple rules — and for a deeper walk-through (including which kinds of recipes don't convert cleanly and what to do instead), see converting oven recipes to the air fryer: a practical method . The Basic Formula Convert Any Oven Recipe: Temperature: Reduce by 25°F (15°C) Time: Reduce by 20-25% Example: 400°F for 20 minutes in oven = 375°F for 15-16 minutes in air fryer Conversion Examples Important Conversion Notes Check early: Start checking 5 minutes before the calculated time Smaller batches: Air fryers have less capacity than ovens—cook in batches if needed No parchment overhang: Trim parchment to fit basket exactly Adjust for convection ovens: If your oven recipe is already for convection, only reduce time by 10-15%

Dense foods: Very thick or dense items may need the full oven time Delicate foods: Reduce temperature more (by 30-50°F) for delicate items like pastries Essential Cooking Tips For Best Results Every Time Preheat for 2-3 minutes – Especially for frozen foods and items you want extra crispy Pat food dry – Moisture is the enemy of crispiness Don't skip the oil – Even 1-2 teaspoons makes a huge difference Season generously – Air circulation can dilute flavors Cut uniformly – Same-sized pieces cook evenly Shake or flip halfway – Critical for even browning and crispiness Don't open too often – You lose heat each time Add water for fatty foods – 1-2 tablespoons in the drip tray prevents smoking Listen for changes – Sizzling sounds indicate cooking progress Check early – Especially when trying new foods Temperature Guidelines by Food Type 350-360°F: Baked goods, delicate foods, whole chickens 370-380°F: Most meats, thick vegetables, casseroles 390-400°F: Crispy foods, thin cuts, most vegetables, frozen items Troubleshooting Common Issues Food Not Crispy Enough Increase temperature by 10-15°F Add 2-3 minutes cooking time Use more oil (1-2 teaspoons) Don't overcrowd the basket Pat food drier before cooking Food Cooking Unevenly Cut pieces to uniform size Shake basket more frequently (every 5 minutes) Don't stack or overcrowd Flip larger items halfway through Lower temperature by 10-15°F Reduce cooking time by 2-3 minutes Use more oil or marinade Cover with foil for part of cooking time Pro Tip: Keep a Cooking Journal Note the exact times and temperatures that work best for your favorite foods in your specific air fryer model. After a few weeks, you'll have a personalized cooking guide that's perfectly calibrated to your appliance and preferences. Air Fryer Cooking FAQ How long do you cook food in an air fryer? It depends entirely on the food, but most items fall between 8 and 25 minutes at 375–400°F (190–200°C). Thin or small foods (shrimp, vegetables, frozen snacks) take 8–15 minutes; thicker proteins (chicken pieces, pork chops) take 15–25 minutes; large items like a whole chicken take 50–75 minutes. Use the charts above for exact starting times. What temperature should I set my air fryer? For most cooking, 375–400°F (190–200°C) is the sweet spot — high enough to crisp and brown. Drop to 350–360°F (175–180°C) for whole chickens, baked goods, and delicate foods, and to 400°F (200°C) for fries, frozen foods, and anything you want extra crispy. Do you need to preheat an air fryer? Preheating for 2–3 minutes helps with crispness, especially for frozen foods, steak, and anything breaded. It isn't essential for longer cooks like a whole chicken or a baked potato, where the food heats up gradually anyway. Do you have to flip or shake food in an air fryer? For even browning, yes — shake baskets of small items (fries, vegetables, wings) every 5–7 minutes, and flip larger pieces (chops, fillets, burgers) once at the halfway point. Foods like salmon fillets and cakes don't need turning. Are air fryer cooking times accurate across different models? Treat any chart, including this one, as a starting point. Wattage, basket size, and how full the basket is all affect the result, so models vary by a few minutes. Always check food a couple of minutes early and verify meat with a thermometer rather than relying on time alone. Can you cook raw meat in an air fryer? Yes — air fryers cook raw chicken, beef, pork, lamb, and fish from raw very effectively. The only rule that matters for safety is internal temperature: 165°F (74°C) for poultry, 160°F (71°C) for ground meat, and 145°F (63°C) for whole cuts of beef, pork, and fish. Cook with confidence A couple of inexpensive tools take the guesswork out of these charts. Links open Amazon's live results with current prices and reviews. Complete Beginner's Guide Everything you need to know to get started with air frying. 10 Mistakes to Avoid Learn what NOT to do for perfect results every time. How to Clean Your Air Fryer Keep your air fryer in top condition with proper cleaning.