Most everyday foods cook in a basket air fryer at 350 to 400 F in under 20 minutes. The chart below lists times and temperatures for 23 common foods, followed by the three rules that make any chart work: do not overcrowd the basket, flip or shake halfway, and confirm meat doneness with an instant-read thermometer rather than the clock.
- Most frozen snacks: 380 to 400 F for 6 to 12 minutes
- Most fresh meat: 375 to 400 F, then verify internal temperature (165 F poultry, 160 F ground beef, 145 F pork, fish and whole cuts of beef)
- Times vary by model and load, so check 2 minutes early the first time you cook anything new
Air Fryer Cooking Time Chart
| Food | Temperature | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen french fries | 400 F | 15 to 20 min | Shake basket twice |
| Frozen fish sticks | 400 F | 10 to 12 min | Single layer only |
| Frozen fish fillets (breaded) | 390 F | 12 to 14 min | Flip halfway |
| Frozen chicken nuggets | 400 F | 10 to 12 min | Shake at 6 min |
| Frozen mozzarella sticks | 370 F | 6 to 8 min | Watch for cheese leaks |
| Frozen pizza rolls | 380 F | 6 to 8 min | Rest 2 min before eating |
| Chicken breast, boneless | 375 F | 15 to 18 min | Cook to 165 F internal |
| Chicken thighs, bone-in | 380 F | 22 to 25 min | Cook to 165 F internal |
| Chicken wings | 390 F | 22 to 25 min | Flip at 12 min, 165 F internal |
| Burgers, fresh patties | 375 F | 10 to 12 min | 160 F internal for ground beef |
| Steak, 1 inch | 400 F | 10 to 14 min | Rest 5 min after cooking |
| Pork chops | 390 F | 12 to 15 min | Cook to 145 F plus 3 min rest |
| Bacon | 350 F | 8 to 10 min | Pour off grease between batches |
| Salmon fillet | 390 F | 8 to 10 min | Cook to 145 F internal |
| Shrimp | 400 F | 6 to 8 min | Done when opaque |
| Broccoli florets | 375 F | 8 to 10 min | Light oil toss first |
| Brussels sprouts, halved | 375 F | 12 to 15 min | Shake at 7 min |
| Baby potatoes, halved | 400 F | 18 to 20 min | Toss in oil and salt |
| Whole baked potato | 400 F | 35 to 45 min | Pierce skin first |
| Sweet potato fries | 380 F | 15 to 18 min | Do not overcrowd |
| Zucchini slices | 400 F | 10 to 12 min | Pat dry before oiling |
| Tofu cubes, pressed | 375 F | 12 to 15 min | Shake twice for even crisping |
| Reheating leftovers | 350 F | 3 to 6 min | Add a teaspoon of water for moist food |
Safe internal temperatures above follow USDA guidance. A thermometer beats any chart: basket size, wattage and how full the basket is all shift cooking time by several minutes.
How to Use This Chart with Your Model
Treat every time above as a range, not a promise. A 1700 watt 5.8 quart basket runs hotter and faster than a 1200 watt compact unit, and an oven-style unit cooks a little slower than a basket. The first time you cook a food, set the timer to the low end of the range, check, and add minutes as needed. After one or two runs you will know your machine’s personality. If you are still choosing a machine, our guide to what size air fryer you need explains how capacity changes cooking behavior.
The Three Rules That Matter More Than Exact Times
1. Cook in a single layer
Air frying is fast convection. Stacked food steams instead of crisping and cooks unevenly, which is why a half-full basket beats a full one. Cook in two batches rather than doubling the time.
2. Flip or shake at the halfway mark
The heating element sits above the basket, so the top side always browns first. Shaking fries and nuggets, or flipping proteins once, evens things out.
3. Verify doneness by temperature, not color
Breading browns long before chicken reaches 165 F inside. An instant-read thermometer is the cheapest insurance in the kitchen: 165 F for poultry, 160 F for ground meats, and 145 F for pork chops, fish and whole cuts of beef.
Frozen Food Tips
Frozen snacks are where air fryers shine: no thawing, no preheated oven, better texture than a microwave. Keep them in a single layer and skip added oil, since breaded frozen foods already contain it. We cover the popular ones step by step in frozen fries, frozen fish sticks and frozen fish fillets.
Pro Tips
- Preheating for 2 to 3 minutes helps foods that need instant sizzle, like steak and fries. See whether you need to preheat for when to skip it.
- A light spray of oil on fresh vegetables and lean proteins improves browning and stops them drying out.
- Reheat pizza and fried leftovers at 350 F for 3 to 4 minutes; they come back crispier than any microwave.
- Clean the basket after greasy foods so old oil does not smoke into the next meal. Our air fryer cleaning guide shows the 10 minute routine.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Trusting the chart over a thermometer for poultry and pork.
- Overfilling the basket to save a batch, which costs more time than it saves.
- Using aerosol cooking sprays with propellants that damage nonstick coatings; use a pump-style oil sprayer instead.
- Assuming oven recipes convert one to one. As a rule, drop the oven temperature by about 25 F and start checking around 20 percent earlier.
FAQ
Can I use oven cooking times in an air fryer?
Not directly. Reduce the oven temperature by roughly 25 F and expect food to finish about 20 percent sooner, then fine-tune from there.
Why does my food cook faster than this chart?
Higher wattage, a smaller basket, or a lighter load all speed things up. Charts assume a typical 1500 to 1700 watt basket model with a sensible load.
Do I need to defrost meat before air frying?
Thin frozen items like nuggets and fish sticks go straight in. Fresh-frozen solid proteins such as a thick chicken breast cook more evenly if thawed first.
How much does load size change the time?
A full basket can add 3 to 5 minutes versus a half basket, and it crisps worse. Two quick batches usually beat one crowded one.
The Bottom Line
Print the chart, but trust the process: single layer, shake halfway, thermometer at the end. Within a week of using your machine, you will need the chart only for foods you have never cooked before. For picking the machine itself, start with our best air fryers guide.
