Updated 10 August 2026 · Written by Daniel Wright
To preheat an air fryer, set it to your cooking temperature, or around 400 F, and run it empty for about 3 to 5 minutes until it reaches heat. Preheating helps foods crisp and sear better, especially meats and fresh fries. Many foods cook fine without it, so it is optional for frozen items and longer-cooking dishes.
Run the empty air fryer at cooking temperature for 3 to 5 minutes. Preheating helps crisping; it is optional for frozen foods.
How to Do It
Set the temperature the recipe calls for, or about 400 F, and let the empty basket run for 3 to 5 minutes. Smaller air fryers heat up faster than larger ones. Then add your food and start the cooking time. Some models have a dedicated preheat button that does this automatically.
When Preheating Matters
Preheating gives a hotter start, which helps meats sear and fresh-cut fries crisp, much like a hot pan does. For frozen foods and longer bakes, the difference is small, so you can often skip it. If your food is not crisping, a proper preheat and not overcrowding the basket both help. Browse the best air fryers for models with fast preheat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to preheat an air fryer?
Not always. Preheating improves crisping and searing for foods like meat and fresh fries, but frozen foods and longer-cooking dishes turn out fine without it.
How long does it take to preheat an air fryer?
About 3 to 5 minutes at cooking temperature. Smaller air fryers heat faster, while larger ones may take a couple of minutes longer.
