Air Fryer Cooking Times Chart: The Ultimate Quick-Reference Guide

Tired of guessing how long to cook something in your air fryer? This comprehensive cooking times chart covers every protein, vegetable, and frozen food you'll ever air fry. Bookmark this page — you'll use it every day.

How to Use This Chart

Every air fryer runs slightly different. These times are based on a standard basket-style air fryer at the temperatures listed. If you're using an oven-style air fryer, add 1-2 minutes. Always check food for doneness before serving.

General rules:

• Don't overcrowd the basket — single layer for best results
• Shake or flip halfway through cooking
• Use an instant-read thermometer for proteins
• Lightly spray food with oil for extra crispiness

Chicken Cooking Times

| Cut | Temp | Time | Internal Temp | |-----|------|------|---------------| | Chicken breast (boneless, 6 oz) | 375°F | 12-15 min | 165°F | | Chicken thighs (bone-in) | 400°F | 18-22 min | 165°F | | Chicken thighs (boneless) | 400°F | 10-14 min | 165°F | | Chicken wings | 400°F | 20-24 min | 165°F | | Chicken drumsticks | 380°F | 18-22 min | 165°F | | Chicken tenders | 400°F | 8-10 min | 165°F | | Whole chicken (3-4 lbs) | 360°F | 50-60 min | 165°F |

For our honey garlic version, check out Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Honey Garlic. If you're working with frozen chicken, see our Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Thighs guide.

Beef and Pork Cooking Times

| Cut | Temp | Time | Internal Temp | |-----|------|------|---------------| | Steak (1-inch, medium-rare) | 400°F | 7-9 min | 135°F | | Steak (1-inch, medium) | 400°F | 10-12 min | 145°F | | Hamburger patties (¼ lb) | 375°F | 8-10 min | 160°F | | Pork chops (bone-in, 1-inch) | 400°F | 12-15 min | 145°F | | Pork tenderloin (1 lb) | 370°F | 15-20 min | 145°F | | Bacon strips | 400°F | 5-8 min | Crispy | | Meatballs (1-inch) | 400°F | 8-10 min | 165°F | | Hot dogs | 400°F | 4-5 min | Heated through |

Seafood Cooking Times

| Seafood | Temp | Time | Notes | |---------|------|------|-------| | Salmon fillet (6 oz) | 400°F | 7-9 min | Flakes easily | | Shrimp (large, peeled) | 400°F | 5-7 min | Pink and opaque | | Tilapia fillet | 400°F | 7-9 min | Flakes easily | | Cod fillet | 370°F | 10-12 min | Flakes easily | | Scallops | 400°F | 5-7 min | Opaque center | | Crab cakes | 370°F | 8-10 min | Golden brown |

Love air fryer seafood? Our Air Fryer Salmon with Lemon Dill recipe is a reader favorite. For frozen seafood, see Air Fryer Frozen Shrimp.

Vegetable Cooking Times

| Vegetable | Temp | Time | Prep Notes | |-----------|------|------|------------| | Broccoli florets | 400°F | 6-8 min | Toss with oil | | Brussels sprouts (halved) | 400°F | 12-15 min | Shake halfway | | Asparagus | 400°F | 5-7 min | Trim ends | | Zucchini (½-inch slices) | 400°F | 8-10 min | Pat dry first | | Sweet potato fries | 400°F | 12-15 min | Cut evenly | | Bell peppers (strips) | 370°F | 8-10 min | — | | Corn on the cob | 400°F | 10-12 min | Brush with butter | | Cauliflower florets | 400°F | 10-12 min | Toss with oil | | Green beans | 400°F | 6-8 min | Trim ends | | Mushrooms (whole) | 375°F | 8-10 min | Don't overcrowd | | Potatoes (cubed, 1-inch) | 400°F | 15-18 min | Shake halfway | | Carrots (½-inch coins) | 380°F | 10-12 min | Toss with oil |

Frozen Foods Cooking Times

No thawing needed — cook straight from the freezer.

| Frozen Food | Temp | Time | Notes | |-------------|------|------|-------| | French fries (thin) | 400°F | 10-14 min | Shake halfway | | French fries (thick-cut) | 400°F | 15-18 min | Shake halfway | | Chicken nuggets | 400°F | 8-10 min | Single layer | | Fish sticks | 400°F | 8-10 min | Flip halfway | | Mozzarella sticks | 390°F | 6-8 min | Don't overcrowd | | Pizza rolls | 380°F | 6-8 min | Shake halfway | | Egg rolls | 400°F | 8-10 min | Flip halfway | | Tater tots | 400°F | 10-14 min | Shake twice | | Onion rings | 400°F | 8-10 min | Single layer | | Frozen burgers | 375°F | 12-15 min | Flip halfway |

For frozen food tips, see our guides on Air Fryer Frozen Burgers and Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs.

Baked Goods and Snacks

| Item | Temp | Time | Notes | |------|------|------|-------| | Biscuits (canned) | 330°F | 6-8 min | Space apart | | Cinnamon rolls | 330°F | 8-10 min | Don't stack | | Toast | 370°F | 3-4 min | Flip halfway | | Grilled cheese | 370°F | 5-7 min | Flip halfway | | Quesadilla | 370°F | 5-7 min | Flip halfway |

Tips for Accurate Cooking Times

1. Preheat your air fryer for 2-3 minutes before cooking — this ensures even results from the start
2. Don't overcrowd — air needs to circulate for that crispy finish
3. Use an instant-read thermometer for proteins — it's the only way to guarantee food safety
4. Adjust for size — thicker cuts need more time, thinner cuts need less
5. Check early — it's easier to add time than to fix overcooked food

Wondering how air frying compares to traditional methods? Read our Air Fryer vs. Oven comparison.

Recommended Air Fryer Gear

Looking to upgrade your air fryer setup? Here are our top picks:

• Cosori Pro II Air Fryer (5.8 Qt) — Best all-around air fryer for families. Check price on Amazon
• ThermoPro Instant-Read Thermometer — Essential for hitting perfect internal temps. Check price on Amazon
• Evo Oil Sprayer — Even oil distribution without aerosol chemicals. Check price on Amazon

Get the Complete Cookbook

Want 100+ tested air fryer recipes with perfect times and temps? Get Air Fryer 30-Minute Meals for Beginners — $4.99 — every recipe includes exact cooking times so you never have to guess.

Free Air Fryer Cheat Sheet

Download our Free Air Fryer Cheat Sheet with quick-reference cooking times for the 50 most popular air fryer foods.

FAQ

Do air fryer cooking times change based on the brand?

Yes, cooking times can vary by 1-3 minutes between brands. Oven-style air fryers generally take slightly longer than basket-style models. Always check food for doneness and use a thermometer for proteins.

Should I preheat my air fryer before cooking?

For most foods, preheating for 2-3 minutes gives better results. It helps food start crisping immediately. The exception is delicate items like baked goods, which can go into a cold air fryer.

Why is my food not crispy in the air fryer?

The most common reasons are overcrowding the basket, not using enough oil, or cooking at too low a temperature. Make sure food is in a single layer with space between pieces for air to circulate.