Air Fryer Cooking Times: How Long Does It Take?

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance for cooking a wide variety of foods. They work by blowing hot air around to cook food, achieving a fried texture with little to no oil. When converting oven recipes to air fryer recipes, it is generally recommended to reduce the temperature by 25-50°F and the cooking time by 20-25%. Air fryers are great for cooking meat, poultry, seafood, vegetables, and frozen foods. They offer several benefits, including reduced fat and calories, faster cooking times, and easier cleanup.

Converting oven recipes to the air fryer

Firstly, take the temperature from the original recipe and reduce it by 25°F. So, if the oven temperature is 400°F, your air fryer temperature should be 375°F.

Next, the cooking time needs to be reduced. As a general rule, reduce the original cooking time by 20%. So, if the oven cooking time is 30 minutes, your air fryer cooking time will be 24 minutes.

It is important to remember that these are general rules and different recipes will vary. It is always a good idea to check your food regularly as it cooks, especially if you are trying out a new recipe. If your food is cooking too quickly, turn down the temperature or shorten the cooking time. If your food is not getting crispy enough, turn the temperature up.

Some foods are better suited to the air fryer than others. For example, frozen foods like chicken nuggets, salmon burgers, and burritos are ideal, as are roasted vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and broccoli. You can even cook baked goods like cookies and muffins in your air fryer.

However, there are some foods that are not suitable for cooking in an air fryer. These include foods with a thin, wet batter like onion rings or tempura, wet foods like meats in a liquid marinade, and light, leafy greens like kale, which will cook unevenly.

There are also a few tips and tricks to keep in mind when using your air fryer. Firstly, always preheat your air fryer. Secondly, spread your food out in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Thirdly, for most foods, spray a little oil on to help achieve a golden colour. Finally, shake the basket or flip your food halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.

By following these simple steps, you can easily convert your favourite oven recipes to the air fryer and enjoy perfectly cooked, crispy, and juicy food every time!

Cooking times for air fryer chicken

The cooking time for chicken in an air fryer depends on the weight of the chicken and the temperature of the air fryer.

Air Fryer Temperature

Firstly, it's important to note that the air fryer temperature will affect the cooking time. Most sources recommend cooking chicken in the air fryer at 360–400 °F. However, some recipes suggest cooking at a higher temperature of 415 °F.

Chicken Breast Cooking Times

For boneless, skinless chicken breasts, the cooking time will depend on the weight of the breasts. Here are some general guidelines:

• Small breasts (5–7 oz): 6–10 minutes
• Medium breasts (8–10 oz): 7–12 minutes
• Large breasts (11 oz or more): 10–16 minutes

It's important to note that these cooking times are for chicken breasts that are cut into thin, flat pieces. For thicker, un-sliced chicken breasts, the cooking time will be longer, around 13–15 minutes.

Bone-in Chicken Breast Cooking Times

For bone-in chicken breasts, the cooking time will also depend on the weight:

• Small breasts (5–7 oz): 7–8 minutes
• Medium breasts (8–10 oz): 8–10 minutes
• Large breasts (11 oz or more): 12–14 minutes

Other Chicken Cuts

Cooking times for other cuts of chicken, such as thighs, drumsticks, and wings, will vary. Here are some general guidelines:

• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (4–5 oz): 8–10 minutes
• Bone-in chicken thighs (5–6 oz): 10–12 minutes
• Drumsticks (5 oz): 12 minutes
• Leg quarters (1 lb): 15–20 minutes
• Wings (5 full wings, cut into 2 pieces each): 15–20 minutes

Checking for Doneness

To ensure that your chicken is cooked through, it's important to check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. Chicken is considered safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F. Some people prefer to remove the chicken from the air fryer when it reaches 155–160 °F and let it rest for a few minutes, as this helps keep the chicken juicy.

Cooking times for air fryer beef

The cooking time for beef in an air fryer depends on the type of beef, the size of the cut, and your desired level of doneness. Here are some guidelines and tips to help you cook beef to perfection in your air fryer:

Steak

For a juicy steak with a crispy crust, consider using ribeye, sirloin, or strip steak. Thicker cuts, ideally about 1 inch thick, are recommended as they allow for better browning. Here are some cooking times for a 1-inch-thick steak:

• Medium-rare: Cook for 10 minutes, flipping the steak after 5 minutes.
• Medium: Cook for 12 minutes, flipping the steak after 6 minutes.
• Well-done: Cook for 12 to 15 minutes.

It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model and personal preference for doneness. Always use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your steak. Remove the steak from the air fryer when it's 5 degrees lower than your desired doneness, as the temperature will continue to rise as the meat rests.

For steak bites or smaller pieces of steak, cook for 6-8 minutes at 400°F, shaking the basket and flipping the steak halfway through. Adjust the cooking time depending on your desired level of doneness.

Roast Beef

When cooking roast beef in an air fryer, choose a good-quality roasting joint with a little marbling of fat. Avoid cheaper cuts that require long cooking times. Here's a guide for cooking roast beef:

• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 10 minutes.
• Season the beef with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs.
• Cook at 400°F/200°C for 10-15 minutes to create a crust.
• Flip the beef and reduce the temperature to 350°F/180°C. Cook for an additional 30 minutes.
• Check the internal temperature of the beef with a meat thermometer. The temperature will continue to rise slightly as the meat rests.
• Rare to medium-rare is recommended for this cooking method.

Always rest your beef for 20-30 minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute and ensure a juicy, tender result.

Cooking times for air fryer frozen foods

Air fryers are perfect for cooking frozen foods. They cook frozen food faster, crispier, cleaner, and better. Here are some cooking times for common frozen foods:

Frozen Meat

• Chicken breast (small): 10 minutes on each side, then let it rest for 5 minutes.
• Chicken breast (large): 15 minutes on each side, then let it rest for 5 minutes.
• Chicken wings: 380-400°F for 16-18 minutes.
• Chicken nuggets: 350-400°F for 8-12 minutes.
• Chicken tenders: 390-400°F for 10-12 minutes.
• Steak: 400°F for 6-10 minutes, depending on your preferred level of doneness.
• Pork chops: 400°F for 18 minutes.

Frozen Seafood

• Salmon fillets: 400°F for 7-9 minutes.
• Shrimp: 350°F for 5-10 minutes.
• Tilapia and other thin fish fillets: 400°F for 6-10 minutes.
• Breaded fish: 400°F for 10-15 minutes.
• Scallops: 400°F for 5-10 minutes.

Frozen Vegetables

• Broccoli: 400°F for 10 to 18 minutes.
• Brussels sprouts: 380°F for 10-12 minutes.
• Butternut squash, cubed: 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Baby or chopped carrots: 400°F for 10 to 20 minutes.
• Cauliflower: 400°F for 10 minutes.
• Green beans: 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes.

Frozen Snacks

• French fries: 400°F for 12-15 minutes.
• Waffle fries: 400°F for 14-15 minutes.
• Sweet potato fries: 380-400°F for 12-15 minutes.
• Tater tots: 400°F for 10-15 minutes.
• Onion rings: 350-400°F for 8-10 minutes.
• Mozzarella sticks: 380°F for 7 minutes.
• Pizza rolls: 400°F for 5-6 minutes.
• Corn dogs: 400°F for 7-8 minutes.
• Fish sticks: 350-400°F for 10 minutes.
• Hash browns: 400°F for 10 minutes.
• Potstickers or dumplings: 400°F for 5 to 10 minutes.

Note: Cooking times may vary depending on the air fryer model and your preferred level of doneness. Always use a food thermometer to ensure that foods are cooked to a safe temperature.

Air fryer cooking tips

Air fryers are a fantastic way to cook a wide variety of foods, from vegetables to meats, and even frozen foods. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your air fryer and cook your meals to perfection:

Preheating

Pre-heating your air fryer is not always necessary, but it is recommended for certain recipes, especially those with shorter cook times. It is also important when cooking multiple batches to ensure consistent results. Always follow the recipe instructions for pre-heating, and when in doubt, it is generally better to pre-heat, especially for shorter cook times.

Don't Overcrowd the Basket

While it may be tempting to fill the basket to cook more food at once, it is important to allow adequate air circulation for even cooking. Cook most foods in a single layer, with just a bit of overlap if needed. For foods like French fries, tater tots, and chicken wings, you can stack them a bit more but remember to shake the basket a few times during cooking to ensure even crisping.

Turn or Shake the Food

Even if your food is in a single layer, it is important to turn or flip it halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and browning. For foods like French fries, onion rings, and chicken wings, remove the basket and give it a good shake to ensure everything gets nice and crispy.

Cooking Times and Temperatures

When converting oven recipes to air fryer, reduce the temperature by 25°F to 50°F and decrease the cooking time by about 20%. For example, if an oven recipe calls for 425°F for 60 minutes, you can air fry at 400°F for about 40 minutes. Always remember to turn foods over halfway through and check for your desired level of doneness.

Frozen Foods

When cooking frozen foods, keep the oven temperature the same but reduce the cooking time by 50%. For example, if the oven instructions say 180°C for 20 minutes, set your air fryer to the same temperature but only cook for 10 minutes. You may need to shake the basket once or twice for even browning.

Moisture and Sauce

When cooking foods that are not breaded, consider adding some moisture to prevent them from drying out. A bit of oil, lemon juice, or sauce can help keep things tasty and juicy.

Frequently asked questions