Air fryer temperature chart: all cooking times for 50+ foods at a glance
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At last: a temperature chart that actually works
Every air fryer owner knows the game: you want to make sweet potato fries, and the booklet that came with the appliance just says “180 °C, 15 min”. The result: soft on the outside, raw in the middle. Or the other way round — burnt. The problem isn't the food — it's the standard instructions, which are far too generic.
We compiled this chart from manufacturers' data, practical tests and the values from our AirFryer mode — the values that actually work, plus the “turning tip” that makes the difference between “okay” and “perfect”.
Before the chart: the 5 ground rules
Before you dive in, five rules that apply to every food:
- Preheating is a must. 2–3 minutes at the target temperature. Exception: frozen products, plus anything that cooks in a ramekin or browns slowly (eggs, cheese, baked goods, fruit) — that's where the chart says “no”.
- One layer, no stacking. Hot air needs to circulate between the pieces. Better two batches than one overloaded basket.
- Go easy on the oil, but don't skip it entirely. 1–2 teaspoons are enough for browning. With very fatty foods (bacon, chicken thighs) you don't need any at all.
- Shake rather than turn with small pieces (chips, cubes) — faster and more even.
- Core temperature, not the cooking-time mantra. For meat over 200 g or with a cooking time of over 20 min, always check with a thermometer — that matters more than the stopwatch.
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| Food | Temperature | Time | Preheat | Turning tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chips (frozen) | 200 °C | 12–15 min | no | shake after 8 min |
| Chips (fresh, 1 cm) | 200 °C | 16–20 min | yes | shake after 10 min |
| Sweet potato fries | 200 °C | 15–18 min | yes | turn after 9 min |
| Sweet potato cubes (2 cm) | 200 °C | 18–22 min | yes | shake after 12 min |
| Fried potatoes (boiled, halved) | 200 °C | 12–15 min | yes | shake after 8 min |
| Small potatoes in their skins | 180 °C | 25–30 min | no | turn after 15 min |
| Carrot sticks | 200 °C | 10–13 min | yes | shake after 6 min |
| Parsnips (batons) | 190 °C | 14–17 min | yes | shake after 8 min |
| Celeriac chips | 190 °C | 16–20 min | yes | turn after 10 min |
| Beetroot (cubes) | 200 °C | 20–25 min | yes | shake after 12 min |
Secret chip tip: soak for 20–30 min in cold water, pat thoroughly dry, then toss with 1 tsp of oil. The result is crispy on the outside as if from a deep fryer, fluffy inside.
🥦 Vegetables
| Food | Temperature | Time | Preheat | Turning tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli florets | 200 °C | 8–10 min | yes | shake after 5 min |
| Cauliflower florets | 200 °C | 12–15 min | yes | shake after 7 min |
| Brussels sprouts (halved) | 200 °C | 12–15 min | yes | shake after 7 min |
| Courgette (slices, 1 cm) | 200 °C | 8–10 min | yes | turn after 5 min |
| Aubergine (slices, 1 cm) | 200 °C | 12–15 min | yes | turn after 8 min |
| Peppers (strips) | 200 °C | 8–10 min | yes | shake after 5 min |
| Button mushrooms (whole) | 180 °C | 10–12 min | yes | shake after 6 min |
| Mushrooms (sliced) | 200 °C | 6–8 min | yes | shake after 4 min |
| Green asparagus | 200 °C | 8–10 min | yes | shake after 5 min |
| Cherry tomatoes | 180 °C | 6–8 min | no | don't turn (they burst) |
| Pumpkin cubes (Hokkaido) | 200 °C | 15–18 min | yes | shake after 9 min |
A note on asparagus: only green asparagus works. White asparagus needs water. More on this: Asparagus season 2026.
🍗 Chicken & poultry
| Food | Temperature | Time | Preheat | Turning tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast (1 piece, 200 g) | 180 °C | 18–22 min | yes | turn after 12 min + core temperature 75 °C |
| Chicken thighs (skin-on) | 200 °C | 22–28 min | yes | turn after 15 min |
| Chicken wings | 200 °C | 18–22 min | yes | turn after 11 min |
| Chicken nuggets (frozen) | 200 °C | 10–12 min | no | shake after 6 min |
| Chicken nuggets (fresh, breaded) | 190 °C | 12–15 min | yes | turn after 8 min |
| Chicken strips (fajita) | 200 °C | 8–10 min | yes | shake after 5 min |
| Whole chicken leg (thigh + drumstick) | 200 °C | 25–30 min | yes | turn after 15 min |
| Turkey breast (200 g) | 180 °C | 18–22 min | yes | turn after 12 min |
Critical: with all poultry, check for a core temperature of 75 °C with a thermometer. The time given is a guide, not a law.
🥩 Meat (beef, pork, lamb)
| Food | Temperature | Time | Preheat | Turning tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steak (beef, 2 cm, medium) | 200 °C | 8–10 min | yes | turn after 5 min |
| Steak (beef, 3 cm, medium) | 200 °C | 12–14 min | yes | turn after 7 min |
| Pork chop (2 cm) | 180 °C | 14–17 min | yes | turn after 9 min |
| Pork fillet (300 g, whole) | 180 °C | 18–22 min | yes | turn after 12 min |
| Meatballs (3 cm) | 180 °C | 12–14 min | yes | shake after 7 min |
| Frikadellen (German meat patties) | 180 °C | 14–16 min | yes | turn after 8 min |
| Lamb chops | 190 °C | 10–13 min | yes | turn after 6 min |
| Bacon (rashers) | 180 °C | 6–9 min | no | turn after 4 min |
| Bratwurst | 180 °C | 10–13 min | yes | turn after 6 min |
🐟 Fish & seafood
| Food | Temperature | Time | Preheat | Turning tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon fillet (200 g, skin-on) | 180 °C | 8–10 min | yes | don't turn (skin side down) |
| Salmon fillet (200 g, skinless) | 180 °C | 7–9 min | yes | don't turn (falls apart) |
| Cod fillet | 180 °C | 8–10 min | yes | don't turn (falls apart) |
| Trout (whole, gutted) | 180 °C | 12–15 min | yes | turn after 8 min |
| Fish fingers (frozen) | 200 °C | 8–10 min | no | turn after 5 min |
| Prawns (peeled, medium) | 200 °C | 6–8 min | yes | shake after 4 min |
| Squid rings (frozen, breaded) | 200 °C | 8–10 min | no | shake after 5 min |
| Tuna steak (fresh) | 200 °C | 4–6 min | yes | turn after 2 min |
🥚 Eggs & cheese
| Food | Temperature | Time | Preheat | Turning tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fried egg (in a ramekin) | 170 °C | 5–7 min | no | don't turn |
| Scrambled eggs (in a ramekin) | 160 °C | 8–10 min | no | stir once at 5 min |
| Hard-boiled egg | 130 °C | 16 min | no | don't turn, then into iced water |
| Poached egg (in a ramekin) | 170 °C | 5–6 min | no | don't turn |
| Camembert (whole, 250 g) | 170 °C | 8–10 min | no | don't turn |
| Halloumi (slices, 1 cm) | 200 °C | 6–8 min | yes | turn after 3 min |
| Mozzarella sticks (breaded) | 190 °C | 6–8 min | no | turn after 4 min |
🥖 Baked goods & dough
| Food | Temperature | Time | Preheat | Turning tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crisping up bread rolls | 180 °C | 4–6 min | no | don't turn |
| Croissants (frozen) | 180 °C | 8–10 min | no | don't turn |
| Pizza (frozen, small) | 200 °C | 8–10 min | no | don't turn |
| Pizza (fresh, thin base) | 200 °C | 10–13 min | yes | don't turn |
| Flammkuchen / tarte flambée (fresh) | 200 °C | 10–13 min | yes | don't turn |
| Doughnuts (frozen) | 180 °C | 5–7 min | no | don't turn |
| Apple strudel (frozen) | 180 °C | 12–15 min | no | don't turn |
| Pancake batter (in moulds) | 170 °C | 8–10 min | no | don't turn |
🍪 Sweets & snacks
| Food | Temperature | Time | Preheat | Turning tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biscuits (fresh dough, 1 cm) | 170 °C | 8–10 min | no | don't turn |
| Muffins (in cases) | 170 °C | 13–16 min | no | don't turn |
| Brownies (in a tin) | 170 °C | 18–22 min | no | don't turn |
| Baked apples (halved) | 180 °C | 12–15 min | no | don't turn |
| Bananas with cinnamon (halved) | 180 °C | 6–8 min | no | don't turn |
| Chestnuts (scored) | 200 °C | 12–15 min | no | shake after 8 min |
| Popcorn (kernels) | ❌ not recommended | — | — | kernels fly around |
What does NOT work in the air fryer
Some dishes are best left out deliberately — either because the result is poor or because the appliance suffers:
- Soups, sauces, runny batters — they leak out
- Open cheese on toast — the cheese gets blown against the wall by the air circulation
- Spinach / salad leaves — fly straight out and burn
- Rice without a container — the grains block the air flow
- Pasta — turns tough, no way to add enough water
- Deep-fried foods with thick beer batter — the batter comes away in the hot air
Handy conversion: oven → air fryer
Got an oven recipe you want to transfer to the air fryer? Rule of thumb:
- Temperature: oven temperature −20 °C
- Time: oven time −25 %
Example: the oven recipe says 200 °C, 30 min → air fryer: 180 °C, 22 min.
This formula works for most recipes. With particularly dense foods (e.g. large pieces of meat), it's better to test the original recipe — and this is where KI-Kochhilfe helps, because in AirFryer mode it generates suitable values directly.
Frequently asked questions about air fryer cooking times
Why are the times in the recipe booklet that came with my appliance different?
Booklet inserts are often calibrated for a fully loaded 4-litre appliance. If your air fryer holds 5–7 litres or you have less in it, the times are usually 10–25 % too long. Trust this chart instead and adjust to your appliance.
Do I really have to preheat?
Yes — mostly. Preheating shortens the effective cooking time by 2–4 min and gives more even browning. With frozen products you can skip it, because the food itself brings the temperature right down. With fresh food, always preheat.
When is “shaking” better, and when “turning”?
- Shaking = small pieces, lots at once (chips, broccoli, cubes). Faster, less handling.
- Turning = large pieces, one by one (chicken breast, fish). Easier to control precisely.
Use silicone tongs for turning — they won't scratch the coating.
How do I tell when something is done?
For meat: check the core temperature. 75 °C for poultry, 60 °C for medium beef, 70 °C for medium pork. For vegetables: prick with a fork — slight resistance = perfect. For baked goods: the skewer test (comes out clean).
Can I use aluminium foil?
Yes, but carefully. The foil must NOT block the air outlet — otherwise the appliance overheats and the safety cut-out trips. Cover at most the lower half of the cooking chamber. Perforated air fryer baking paper, placed only under the food, is usually the better choice.
What do I do if my air fryer smells?
Clean the appliance straight after every use (warm water, washing-up liquid, NOT in the dishwasher — the coating suffers). If it still smells: half a litre of water with 50 ml of vinegar in the basket, run for 5 min at 200 °C. Then dry thoroughly.
How much electricity does an air fryer use compared with an oven?
Around 60–70 % less for the same dish. An oven heats up an 80-litre cavity, an air fryer only 5–7 litres. For a family that cooks every day, that saves €100–200 in electricity costs over a year.
Can I cook several dishes at once?
Only if they need the same temperature and a similar time. Otherwise: one after the other. Appliances with two separate baskets (dual-zone, e.g. Cosori Dual or Ninja Dual Zone) allow it — standard single baskets don't.
Save the chart to Pinterest
Pin this page to your Pinterest board — that way the chart is always at hand while you cook.
What the chart can't do
As complete as this chart is, it doesn't know your appliance. A 4-litre Tristar behaves differently from a 7.6-litre Cosori. If you cook in the air fryer often: KI-Kochhilfe has an AirFryer mode from the Standard plan (and already in the free trial) — each generated recipe comes straight with air fryer temperature, cooking time and turning steps, instead of oven values you'd have to convert. The values in this chart are your starting point; a test run or two will dial them in for your specific appliance.
→ Try KI-Kochhilfe for free — the first 2 personalised air fryer recipes from your own ingredients need no account.
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