There’s no mistaking that air fryers are an absolute game-changer of a kitchen appliance for convenience. But if you’ve ever wondered how long you should cook something for and at what temperature, help is at hand with this guide to air fryer cooking times and temperatures. Say goodbye to the guesswork and hello to perfectly cooked food on time, every time!
Air fryers are the ultimate cooking companion. AM I RIGHT? Now let’s get those times and temps right. via GIPHY
Small in size, big in power
My rule of thumb for air frying is to remember that this funky bench top appliance at the end of the day, acts pretty much exactly like a mini oven. Having said that, most air fryers have a maximum heat setting of 200°C which is usually adequate for a wide variety of cooking. Even with foods you traditionally cook at a hotter temp like roast veggies, the maximum temperature will still get the job done, thanks to the small size of the air fryer!
Air fryer cooking times 101
If like me, frozen party pies, sausage rolls, fries and spring rolls are all things that you cook regularly (hello, teenagers), the packaging will most of the time give you oven cook instructions. Given that the air fryer is smaller than a regular oven, it takes less time to circulate heat and cooks on a more concentrated level. I shave 10 to 12 minutes off the suggested cooking time when cooking frozen foods in the air fryer, and generally, it’s pretty spot on. Frozen beer-battered fries at 200°C for 15 minutes works every time too!
Though they all look similar, it’s important to remember that not all air fryers are created equal and there is always meat weight and starting temperature variables, so it pays to keep an eye on what you’re cooking and adjust the time or heat accordingly.
An air fryer cooking time cheat sheet!
One Aussie air fryer legend made it her mission to scour through the numerous recipes and cooking charts to compile an easy guide to cooking with air fryers, and in Australian weights and measures. And we are so so thankful.
She took to the Kmart Air Fryer Recipes Australia Facebook to share her very handy spreadsheet.
“I needed something with Aussie weights and measurements on it so I have converted a couple of Cooking Charts from the internet with some recipes from the group’s Facebook page. Please feel free to use it is it helps you,” she writes.
And now it can help you too! From fish to whole chickens and cake, it’s all below with this list of 70+ foods!
TIP: Screenshot or save this chart and keep it handy on your phone or print it out and keep it on the fridge for easy reference!
But wait, there’s more!
There are five more foods not on this chart that I regularly cook at home in my air fryer. Read on below for air fryer cooking times and temperatures that I use in both my Kmart air fryer and my Phillips XXL air fryer:
1. Pork belly
If you haven’t tried cooking pork belly in your air fryer, you’re missing out big time! Dry, score and salt a piece of pork belly (make sure it fits in the basket) and cook it at 200°C for 30 minutes and then 160°C for a further 25-30 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes uncovered.
2. Dim sims
Not going to lie, my husband loves these straight from the supermarket freezer and cooked crunchy in the air fryer. Cook at 200°C for 20 minutes. Add sweet chilli sauce and you’re good to go!
3. Pizza
I promise we do eat some nutritional food, but mini pizzas in the air fryer are a weekend lunch lifesaver! 200°C for 12 minutes cooks them right through and if you’re just reheating, lower the temperature to 160°C.
4. Taco shells
No need to heat up the whole oven for taco shells, you can arrange them in the air fryer to cook pronto! Heat them at 160°C for 5 minutes.
5. Naan bread
I LIVE for naan bread on curry night and it always annoyed me having to preheat the oven just for a few slices of doughy naan. Not anymore! Sprinkle the naan with water, wrap in alfoil and pop those yummy flatbreads in at 180°C for 8 minutes.
Feeling inspired? We have plenty of air fryer recipes!
If you’ve only been heating frozen chicken nuggets and chips in your air fryer up to this point, you’re in for a REAL treat. As you can see by the above chart, there are SO many foods you can cook in an air fryer. In fact, we have plenty of air fryer recipes for you to try – from steak to Turkish pizzas, they’re all here: 13 Deliciously Easy Air Fryer Recipes to Cook In a Flash!
1 Comment
Thank you so much for this very helpful article Lexi. Very much appreciated.
Grace