Air fryers have revolutionized home cooking by delivering crispy, delicious results with less oil and faster cooking times. However, getting the timing right can be tricky — especially when converting from traditional oven recipes. This guide covers the most common foods and their optimal air fryer cooking times.
The General Rule
When converting from a conventional oven to an air fryer: - Reduce temperature by 25°F (15°C) - Reduce cooking time by 20–25%
For exact conversions, use our Air Fryer Calculator or the Air Fryer Time & Temp Converter.
Chicken | Cut | Temp (°F) | Time | Notes | |-----|-----------|------|-------| | Boneless thighs | 380°F | 10–12 min | Flip halfway | | Bone-in thighs | 380°F | 18–22 min | Flip halfway | | Chicken breast | 375°F | 12–15 min | Flip halfway | | Wings | 400°F | 20–25 min | Shake basket every 7 min | | Drumsticks | 380°F | 18–20 min | Flip halfway | | Tenders | 400°F | 8–10 min | No flip needed |
Vegetables | Vegetable | Temp (°F) | Time | Notes | |-----------|-----------|------|-------| | Broccoli | 375°F | 8–10 min | Toss with oil | | Brussels sprouts | 375°F | 12–15 min | Halve first, shake halfway | | Sweet potatoes | 380°F | 15–20 min | Cut into 1/2-inch cubes | | Zucchini | 400°F | 8–10 min | Slice into rounds | | Cauliflower | 375°F | 12–15 min | Cut into florets | | Asparagus | 400°F | 6–8 min | Trim ends first |
Frozen Foods | Food | Temp (°F) | Time | Notes | |------|-----------|------|-------| | French fries | 400°F | 15–20 min | Shake halfway | | Mozzarella sticks | 375°F | 6–8 min | Single layer | | Chicken nuggets | 400°F | 8–10 min | No oil needed | | Fish sticks | 400°F | 8–10 min | Flip halfway | | Pizza rolls | 380°F | 6–8 min | Shake halfway | | Egg rolls | 375°F | 10–12 min | Spray with oil |
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Results
- Don't overcrowd the basket — air needs to circulate for even crisping
- Shake or flip food halfway through cooking
- Preheat your air fryer for 3-5 minutes for best results
- Spray lightly with oil for extra crispiness on breaded items
- Check early — air fryers vary in power, so start checking 2-3 minutes before the minimum time
For precise conversions of any oven recipe, use our Air Fryer Calculator — it does the math instantly.