How long to cook anything in an air fryer

Time

18 min

Temp

380 °F / 193 °C

Boneless, skinless chicken breast cooks evenly in the air fryer when set to 380 °F (193 °C) for about 18 minutes total, flipping once halfway through. Pat the breasts dry, season liberally, and leave space between them so the convection air can reach all sides.

Time

22 min

Temp

400 °F / 204 °C

Wings are one of the highest-impact things an air fryer can do — at 400 °F (204 °C) for 22 minutes with one flip, the rendered fat crisps the skin to a deep golden brown without the splatter of deep frying. Sauce only after they come out.

Time

9 min

Temp

400 °F / 204 °C

Salmon fillets cook beautifully in the air fryer at 400 °F (204 °C) for 9 minutes without flipping. The convection air keeps the surface dry enough to brown lightly while the inside stays moist. Aim for an internal temperature of 145 °F (63 °C) for fully cooked, or 125 °F for medium-rare.

Time

14 min

Temp

400 °F / 204 °C

Frozen french fries are what the air fryer was built for — 14 minutes at 400 °F (204 °C) with one shake gives you better fries than the oven in less than half the time. Salt them the moment they come out so the salt sticks to the hot surface.

Time

9 min

Temp

400 °F / 204 °C

Air fryer bacon at 400 °F (204 °C) for about 9 minutes is the cleanest way to cook bacon at home — no stovetop splatter, no oven sheet pan to scrub. Flip at the 5-minute mark. Drain the drip tray between batches so the rendered fat does not start smoking.

Time

6 min

Temp

400 °F / 204 °C

Shrimp are the fastest protein in the air fryer — 6 minutes at 400 °F (204 °C) with a shake at the halfway mark and they are done. The visual tell is the curl: loose C-shape is right, tight O-shape means you went too long.

Time

8 min

Temp

380 °F / 193 °C

Broccoli florets crisp up at 380 °F (193 °C) in 8 minutes with a single shake at the 4-minute mark. The trick is one tablespoon of oil tossed evenly through the florets before they go in — broccoli has too little natural fat to crisp without it.

Time

12 min

Temp

380 °F / 193 °C

Halved Brussels sprouts roast at 380 °F (193 °C) for 12 minutes with one shake at the midpoint. The cut sides caramelise hard while the loose outer leaves crisp into chips — both are the prize.

Time

6 min

Temp

380 °F / 193 °C

Frozen mozzarella sticks are the most timing-sensitive frozen food in the air fryer — 6 minutes at 380 °F (193 °C) with a single flip is the sweet spot. Go longer and the cheese erupts. The lower temperature is critical.

Time

20 min

Temp

380 °F / 193 °C

Boneless chicken thighs are the most forgiving cut for the air fryer — naturally fatty meat stays juicy at 380 °F (193 °C) for around 20 minutes with a single flip. Aim for an internal temperature of 175 °F (79 °C) rather than the usual 165 °F so the dark meat is properly tender.

Time

14 min

Temp

380 °F / 193 °C

Hand-cut sweet potato fries crisp at 380 °F (193 °C) in 14 minutes with one shake. The lower temperature compared to regular fries is deliberate — sweet potatoes have enough sugar to burn before crisping at 400 °F.

Time

16 min

Temp

270 °F / 132 °C

Air fryer hard-boiled eggs at 270 °F (132 °C) for 16 minutes give you a fully-set yolk with no green ring, and crucially they peel cleaner than boiled eggs. The shells get a faint toasted speckle from the dry heat — harmless and a useful visual cue that they are done.