Air Fryer Temperature Guide: Perfect Settings for Every Food

One of the most common questions new air fryer owners ask is "what temperature should I use?" Unlike conventional ovens, air fryers cook with rapidly circulating hot air, which changes the dynamics of heat transfer and cooking times. Getting the temperature right is essential for achieving that perfect crispy exterior while ensuring food is safely cooked through.

This comprehensive temperature guide covers virtually every type of food you might cook in your air fryer, from everyday proteins to vegetables, frozen foods, and even baked goods. Bookmark this page and refer to it whenever you're unsure about settings for a new dish.

Understanding Air Fryer Temperatures

Before diving into specific foods, it's helpful to understand how air fryer temperatures compare to conventional cooking methods. Air fryers typically cook faster and more efficiently than traditional ovens because the compact cooking chamber and powerful fan create intense, even heat distribution.

General Temperature Conversion

When adapting conventional oven recipes for air fryers, reduce the temperature by 10-20°C and cooking time by 20-25%. For example, a dish cooked at 200°C for 30 minutes in a conventional oven typically works at 180°C for 22-25 minutes in an air fryer.

Most air fryers operate between 80°C and 200°C, though some models reach up to 230°C. The lower end is useful for gentle reheating and dehydrating, while the highest temperatures are reserved for achieving maximum crispiness on items like chips and chicken wings.

Protein Temperature Guidelines

Cooking proteins correctly is crucial for both food safety and taste. Undercooked meat poses health risks, while overcooked protein becomes dry and unappetising. These guidelines will help you achieve perfectly cooked results every time.

Chicken

Chicken is perhaps the most popular protein to cook in an air fryer, and for good reason—the results are consistently excellent when you get the temperature right.

Chicken breast (boneless): 180°C for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway. Internal temperature should reach 74°C.
Chicken thighs (bone-in): 190°C for 22-28 minutes. The higher fat content makes these forgiving if slightly overcooked.
Chicken wings: 200°C for 20-25 minutes, shaking basket every 5-7 minutes for even crisping.
Chicken drumsticks: 190°C for 20-25 minutes, turning once.
Whole chicken pieces (quarters): 180°C for 30-35 minutes.

Beef

Beef offers flexibility in cooking temperatures depending on your preferred doneness. Air fryers excel at steaks and create an excellent crust while maintaining interior moisture.

Steak (2.5cm thick): 200°C for 10-14 minutes total, flipping halfway. Adjust time for preferred doneness.
Beef mince patties: 190°C for 10-14 minutes, flipping once. Internal temperature should reach 71°C.
Beef strips (stir-fry style): 200°C for 8-12 minutes, shaking basket every few minutes.
Roast beef (small joint, 500g-1kg): 180°C for 25-35 minutes per 500g for medium.

Steak Doneness Guide (2.5cm thickness)

Rare: 200°C for 8-10 minutes (internal temp 52°C)
Medium-rare: 200°C for 10-12 minutes (internal temp 57°C)
Medium: 200°C for 12-14 minutes (internal temp 63°C)
Well done: 200°C for 14-16 minutes (internal temp 71°C)

Pork

Pork requires careful attention to ensure it's fully cooked while remaining juicy. The air fryer's efficiency makes it easy to achieve both goals.

Pork chops (2cm thick): 190°C for 12-16 minutes, flipping halfway. Internal temperature should reach 63°C.
Pork tenderloin: 180°C for 20-25 minutes. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Pork belly strips: 200°C for 20-25 minutes for crispy crackling.
Sausages: 180°C for 12-15 minutes, turning every 4-5 minutes.

Seafood

Seafood cooks quickly and requires careful timing to avoid becoming rubbery. Lower temperatures and shorter times generally produce the best results.

Salmon fillet: 180°C for 8-12 minutes depending on thickness. No flipping needed.
White fish fillets: 180°C for 8-10 minutes.
Prawns: 190°C for 5-8 minutes, shaking halfway.
Crumbed fish: 190°C for 10-12 minutes, flipping once for even browning.
Calamari: 200°C for 6-8 minutes for crispy rings.

Vegetable Temperature Guidelines

Vegetables transform beautifully in the air fryer, developing caramelised edges and tender interiors. The key is matching temperature to the vegetable's density and water content.

Root Vegetables

Potato chips (1cm thick): 190°C for 20-25 minutes, shaking every 5-7 minutes.
Roast potatoes: 190°C for 25-35 minutes depending on size, shaking occasionally.
Sweet potato: 190°C for 15-20 minutes for chips, 35-40 minutes for whole small sweet potatoes.
Carrots: 180°C for 15-18 minutes.
Beetroot: 180°C for 30-40 minutes for whole small beets, 15-20 minutes for cubed.
Parsnips: 190°C for 15-20 minutes.

Green Vegetables

Tips for Green Vegetables

Green vegetables cook quickly and can burn easily. Use moderate temperatures and watch carefully. A light coating of oil helps achieve crispiness without drying out.

Broccoli: 180°C for 8-12 minutes, shaking halfway.
Brussels sprouts (halved): 190°C for 15-18 minutes.
Asparagus: 180°C for 6-8 minutes.
Green beans: 180°C for 8-10 minutes.
Zucchini: 180°C for 10-12 minutes.

Other Vegetables

Capsicum: 190°C for 10-12 minutes.
Eggplant: 190°C for 12-15 minutes.
Mushrooms: 180°C for 8-10 minutes.
Onions: 180°C for 10-15 minutes for caramelised onions.
Cauliflower: 190°C for 15-18 minutes.
Corn on the cob: 200°C for 10-14 minutes, turning once.

Frozen Food Temperature Guidelines

Air fryers excel at cooking frozen foods, often producing better results than conventional ovens. No thawing is typically required, though some items benefit from it.

Frozen chips: 190°C for 15-20 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes.
Frozen crumbed chicken: 190°C for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Frozen fish fingers: 190°C for 10-12 minutes.
Frozen spring rolls: 190°C for 10-12 minutes.
Frozen party pies: 180°C for 12-15 minutes.
Frozen sausage rolls: 180°C for 15-18 minutes.
Frozen pizza: 180°C for 8-12 minutes (personal size).
Frozen vegetables: 180°C for 10-15 minutes.

Baked Goods and Desserts

Yes, you can bake in an air fryer! Lower temperatures and shorter times than conventional baking typically produce the best results.

Muffins: 160°C for 12-15 minutes.
Cookies: 160°C for 8-10 minutes.
Brownies: 160°C for 20-25 minutes (check with toothpick).
Bread rolls (frozen): 170°C for 8-10 minutes.
Cinnamon rolls: 160°C for 8-10 minutes.

Reheating Temperature Guidelines

Air fryers are exceptional at reheating leftovers, restoring crispiness that microwaves simply cannot match.

Pizza: 160°C for 3-5 minutes.
Fried chicken: 180°C for 4-6 minutes.
Chips/fries: 180°C for 3-5 minutes.
Roast meats: 160°C for 4-6 minutes.
Pastries: 160°C for 3-4 minutes.

Pro Tip: Invest in a Meat Thermometer

While these guidelines are reliable, every air fryer performs slightly differently. A digital meat thermometer removes all guesswork and ensures food safety, especially for proteins. It's the single most valuable tool for air fryer cooking after the appliance itself.

Factors That Affect Cooking Times

These guidelines provide reliable starting points, but several factors can affect actual cooking times in your specific situation:

Air fryer model: Different brands and models have varying heating efficiency.
Food quantity: Larger quantities require longer cooking times.
Food thickness: Thicker cuts require more time.
Starting temperature: Refrigerated food takes longer than room temperature items.
Basket fullness: Overcrowding impedes air circulation and extends cooking time.
Preheating: Some recipes assume preheating; others don't.

Use these guidelines as starting points and adjust based on your observations. After a few cooking sessions, you'll develop an intuitive understanding of how your specific air fryer performs with different foods and temperatures.