Air Fryer Cooking Times: How Long For Perfect Food?

Air fryers are a great way to cook food in a healthier way, as they use hot air instead of oil to fry food. They are a convenient, mess-free, and faster alternative to deep frying. The cooking time for different foods in an air fryer varies, with chicken wings taking around 20-25 minutes, and salmon fillets taking around 7-9 minutes. The size of the food, the desired level of crispiness, and the brand and model of the air fryer are some factors that determine the cooking time. It is always advisable to check the food periodically and adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Chicken wings: 20-25 minutes at 400°F

Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer

Chicken wings are a great option for your air fryer, as they come out perfectly crisp on the outside while remaining tender and juicy on the inside. The air fryer is also a healthier alternative to deep frying or using an oven, as it requires much less oil.

Ingredients

• Chicken wings
• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Pepper

Method

• Defrost your chicken wings, separate them into drums and flats, and pat them dry.
• Place the wings into a bowl and add olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat the wings.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for a few minutes.
• Place the wings into the air fryer in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching.
• Cook the wings for 10 minutes at 400°F.
• Flip the wings and cook for a further 8 minutes at 400°F.
• Remove the wings from the air fryer and serve with your favourite dips or sides.

Tips

• You can use your favourite seasoning blend instead of the spices listed above.
• Pat the chicken wings dry before cooking to ensure they come out crispy.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the wings in batches if necessary.
• Increase the temperature of the air fryer during the last few minutes of cooking to make the wings crispier.
• You can reheat any leftover wings in the air fryer at 360°F for 4 minutes.

Steak: 6-10 minutes at 400°F

Steak is a great choice for your air fryer, creating a crispy crust on the outside and a juicy, tender inside. The air fryer is a healthier, quicker, and easier way to cook your steak, with less mess and fat.

To cook steak in your air fryer, you should first preheat the fryer to 400°F. Rub your steak with oil and season with salt and pepper, or a dry rub of your choice. You can also add herbs and spices for extra flavour.

Place the steak in the air fryer and cook for 6-10 minutes, depending on how well done you like your steak. For a rare steak, cook for 6 minutes, medium-rare for 8-9 minutes, and medium for 10 minutes. If you prefer your steak well-done, cook for 11-13 minutes. Flip the steak halfway through the cooking time.

Once cooked, remove the steak from the air fryer and let it rest for 10 minutes. This is a great time to make a sauce, if desired. Finally, slice and serve your steak.

Cooking steak in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a perfect steak every time, without the need for a grill or pan.

Burgers: 8-10 minutes at 400°F

Cooking burgers in an air fryer is a quick and convenient option, and the results are juicy and full of flavour. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook burgers in your air fryer, with a cooking time of 8-10 minutes at 400°F.

Firstly, it is important to preheat your air fryer. Preheating ensures even cooking and helps to achieve a crispy exterior. Set your air fryer to 400°F and let it heat up for a few minutes.

While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your burgers. Season or marinate them according to your preference—this is a great way to add flavour to your burgers. If you opt for a marinade, let the burgers sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to penetrate the meat.

Once the air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook the burgers. Place them in the air fryer basket, leaving enough space between them to ensure proper air circulation. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the burgers in batches.

For burgers cooked at 400°F, the cooking time is 8-10 minutes. During this time, you may need to flip the burgers halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and browning. Use a pair of tongs to gently flip them, being careful not to break their shape.

Keep an eye on the burgers during the cooking process, and adjust the timing as needed. It's better to slightly undercook and then continue cooking to achieve your desired doneness.

Finally, when the burgers are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and serve.

Enjoy your juicy, flavourful air-fried burgers!

Breaded fish: 10-15 minutes at 400°F

Air fryers are a fantastic way to cook breaded fish, giving it a crispy exterior without the mess of traditional frying. When cooking breaded fish in an air fryer, it's important to ensure the breading is dry and any excess is shaken off before adding the fish to the fryer basket. You should also avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can prevent the fish from crisping up properly. Depending on the thickness of your fish fillets, the cooking time may vary. Thicker fillets will require more time, while thinner ones will cook faster.

Now, let's talk about the cooking process for breaded fish in your air fryer. First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F, which will take around 10 minutes. While it's preheating, you can spritz the basket with some non-stick spray or line it with aluminium foil to prevent sticking. Then, place your breaded fish fillets inside, making sure they're in a single layer with some space around them for the air to circulate.

For breaded fish, the cooking time at 400°F will be around 10-15 minutes. After the first 8-10 minutes, you'll want to flip the fillets to ensure even cooking. The fish is ready when it's golden, crispy, and flakes easily with a fork. It's important to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F before consuming.

Once your breaded fish is cooked to perfection, remove it from the air fryer and serve immediately. Breaded fish is best enjoyed straight out of the fryer. You can pair it with tartar sauce and a squeeze of lemon for a classic flavour combination. Enjoy your delicious and crispy air-fried breaded fish!

Frozen foods: 5-25 minutes at 350-400°F

Frozen foods are a great use case for air fryers, as they can be cooked straight from frozen, with no need to defrost first. The cooking time will be a few minutes shorter than the oven baking times on the packet.

• Frozen French fries: 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Frozen chicken nuggets: 350°F for 10 minutes.
• Frozen chicken wings: 380-400°F for 16-18 minutes.
• Frozen fish sticks: 350°F for 10 minutes.
• Frozen onion rings: 350°F for 10 minutes.
• Frozen hash browns: 400°F for 10 minutes.
• Frozen potstickers or dumplings: 400°F for 5-10 minutes.
• Frozen tater tots: 400°F for 10 minutes.
• Frozen pizzas: 325°F for 10-12 minutes.

Remember to always check that your food is cooked properly before consuming. You can cut it open if you are unsure, or use a meat thermometer.

Frequently asked questions