Quick reference: Most air fryer foods cook at 180–200°C (350–400°F). Snacks and frozen foods take 8–15 minutes, potatoes and vegetables 15–22 minutes, chicken pieces 20–25 minutes and a whole chicken 50–60 minutes. Baking needs lower heat, 150–160°C. Chicken and leftovers must reach 74°C (165°F) inside; fish 63°C (145°F).
Jump to: Vegetables · Indian snacks · Nuts · Frozen · Chicken & fish · Baking · Reheating
Bookmark this page. It lists air fryer cooking times and temperatures for the foods people make most often in Indian kitchens, from fries and paneer tikka to frozen snacks, chicken, cakes and leftovers. Times are for a standard 4–6 L basket air fryer, cooking in a single layer.
How to use this chart
- Times assume a preheated air fryer and food in a single layer. Add 2–3 minutes if you don’t preheat.
- Shake or flip at the halfway point unless noted.
- Smaller or very powerful models may need 1–2 minutes less. Check early the first time.
- For meat, fish and reheated food, confirm the inside temperature with a thermometer (74 °C / 165 °F for chicken and leftovers).
Potatoes and vegetables
| Food | Temperature | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| French fries (fresh, 1 cm) | 200 °C / 400 °F | 15–20 min | Soak and dry first; shake twice |
| Potato wedges | 200 °C / 400 °F | 18–22 min | Shake at 10 min |
| Aloo gobi (dry) | 200 °C / 400 °F | 18–22 min | Shake every 6 min |
| Cauliflower florets | 200 °C / 400 °F | 14–16 min | Pat dry |
| Sweet potato cubes | 200 °C / 400 °F | 15–18 min | 2 cm cubes |
| Corn on the cob (bhutta) | 200 °C / 400 °F | 12–15 min | Turn every 4 min |
| Mushrooms, capsicum, onion | 200 °C / 400 °F | 8–12 min | Marinated tikka-style |
| Broccoli florets | 200 °C / 400 °F | 8–10 min | Toss well in oil |
| Green beans | 200 °C / 400 °F | 8–10 min | Frozen: 12–14 min |
| Okra (bhindi), halved | 180 °C / 350 °F | 10–12 min | Dry fully before cutting |
| Brinjal (baingan) rounds | 190 °C / 375 °F | 12–14 min | Salt 10 min, pat dry |
| Carrot sticks | 190 °C / 375 °F | 12–15 min | 1 cm thick |
| Frozen mixed vegetables | 200 °C / 400 °F | 12–15 min | From frozen; shake every 4 min |
Times for 25 vegetables, with cuts and masala ideas: air fryer vegetables chart.
Paneer and Indian snacks
| Food | Temperature | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paneer tikka | 200 °C / 400 °F | 10–12 min | Turn once |
| Paneer cubes for curry | 200 °C / 400 °F | 8–10 min | Soak in warm water after |
| Paneer pakoda | 190 °C / 375 °F | 10–12 min | Thick paste coating |
| Samosa (homemade) | 180 °C / 350 °F | 12–15 min | Brush with oil |
| Veg cutlet | 180 °C / 350 °F | 12–14 min | Flip at 7 min |
| Sabudana vada | 180 °C / 350 °F | 12–15 min | Shape flat |
| Onion bhaji | 190 °C / 375 °F | 12–15 min | On a greased liner |
| Bread pizza | 180 °C / 350 °F | 5–6 min | No flipping |
| Masala papad | 180 °C / 350 °F | 1–2 min | Weigh down with a rack |
Nuts, seeds and crunchy snacks
| Food | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Peanuts (raw, shelled) | 180 °C / 350 °F | 8–12 min |
| Makhana | 150–160 °C / 300–320 °F | 8–10 min |
| Cashews | 150 °C / 300 °F | 6–8 min |
| Sesame (til) | 150 °C / 300 °F | 4–5 min |
| Chickpeas (boiled, dried) | 200 °C / 400 °F | 15–18 min |
| Banana chips (2 mm) | 180 °C / 350 °F | 12–15 min |
Frozen foods (from frozen, no thawing)
| Food | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen French fries | 200 °C / 400 °F | 12–16 min |
| Frozen potato wedges | 200 °C / 400 °F | 16–20 min |
| Hash brown patties | 200 °C / 400 °F | 10–12 min |
| Frozen spring rolls | 190 °C / 375 °F | 10–12 min |
| Frozen aloo tikki | 190 °C / 375 °F | 10–12 min |
| Cheese nuggets | 180 °C / 350 °F | 8–10 min |
| Store-bought frozen samosa | 180 °C / 350 °F | 10–12 min |
| Chicken tenders / nuggets | 200 °C / 400 °F | 10–12 min |
| Onion rings | 200 °C / 400 °F | 8–10 min |
| Shrimp (breaded) | 200 °C / 400 °F | 8–10 min |
Always check the pack: many frozen snacks now print air fryer timings.
Chicken, fish and eggs
| Food | Temperature | Time | Done when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken drumsticks | 200 °C / 400 °F | 20–25 min | 74 °C / 165 °F inside |
| Chicken wings | 200 °C / 400 °F | 20–24 min | 74 °C / 165 °F inside |
| Boneless chicken tikka (3 cm) | 200 °C / 400 °F | 12–15 min | 74 °C / 165 °F inside |
| Whole chicken (1.2–1.5 kg) | 180 °C / 360 °F | 50–60 min | 74 °C / 165 °F in the thigh |
| Fish fillet (2 cm thick) | 200 °C / 400 °F | 8–12 min | 63 °C / 145 °F, flakes easily |
| Prawns (raw, peeled) | 200 °C / 400 °F | 6–8 min | Pink and opaque |
| Hard-boiled eggs (in shell) | 140 °C / 285 °F | 15–17 min | Plunge in cold water |
Baking
| Food | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cake (15–18 cm tin) | 150–160 °C / 300–320 °F | 25–30 min |
| Muffins / cupcakes | 160 °C / 320 °F | 12–15 min |
| Brownies (15 cm tin) | 160 °C / 320 °F | 18–22 min |
| Cookies | 160 °C / 320 °F | 8–10 min |
| Nankhatai | 160 °C / 320 °F | 10–12 min |
Reheating
| Food | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pizza slice | 170–180 °C / 340–350 °F | 3–4 min |
| Quiche slice | 160 °C / 325 °F | 8–10 min |
| Samosa, pakoda, cutlet | 170 °C / 340 °F | 4–5 min |
| Burger patty | 180 °C / 350 °F | 3–5 min |
| Paneer tikka | 170 °C / 340 °F | 3–4 min |
Frequently asked questions
How long do you cook things in an air fryer?
Most snacks take 8–15 minutes, potatoes and vegetables 15–22 minutes, and chicken pieces 20–25 minutes. Use the tables above as a starting point and check early the first time.
Do I need to adjust times for a bigger air fryer?
Time depends more on how much food is in the basket than on its size. A fuller basket needs more time and more shaking. Single-layer batches give the most predictable results.
Should I preheat before using these times?
These times assume a 3–5 minute preheat. Without one, add 2–3 minutes. See how to preheat.
Pair this with the air fryer temperature guide and our tutorials.
Air fryer guides that use this chart
Safe internal temperatures: FoodSafety.gov, Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures.