There is no single right time. FSIS puts most air-fried foods at 350°F to 400°F for 5 to 25 minutes, and the exact figure depends on your model: the four makers’ charts below give different numbers for the same food. Use the row for your maker, check early, and finish with a thermometer.
This air fryer cooking times chart puts each maker’s figures side by side with the model they came from, then explains why they disagree and how load, shaking, preheating and frozen food change the time.
Air Fryer Cooking Times Chart by Maker
Every cell names the manual or maker page it came from. A dash means the document I read has no row for that food. Philips prints Celsius first and Instant Pot’s South Africa sheet prints Celsius only, so the Philips and Instant Pot cells give both scales.
| Food | Ninja | COSORI | Philips | Instant Pot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen fries | AF100 Series: 1 lb at 350°F for 20-25 min; 2 lb at 360°F for 28-32 min. The EZView Max XL guide prints the same two rows. | Iconic: thin cut 395°F for 14-18 min; thick cut 395°F for 16-22 min | Viva XXL (HD9630): 7-50 oz of thin fries at 350°F (180°C) for 13-32 min. Essential Compact (HD925X): 7-18 oz at 350°F (180°C) for 16-23 min. | Vortex Plus 10-qt oven: thin cut 400°F (205°C) for 14-18 min; thick cut 16-20 min. South Africa timetable: 205°C (400°F) for 12-15 min. |
| Chicken wings | AF100 Series: 2 lb at 390°F for 22-26 min. EZView Max XL: 3 lb, same temperature and time. | Iconic: 2 lb at 400°F for 16-22 min | Viva XXL (HD9630): 2-8 wings in one layer at 350°F (180°C) for 14-18 min | Vortex Plus 10-qt oven: 360°F (182°C) for 20-30 min. South Africa timetable: fresh or frozen, 205°C (400°F) for 10-15 min. |
| Chicken breast, boneless | AF100 Series: 2 breasts of 1/2-3/4 lb each at 375°F for 18-22 min | Iconic: 8-10 oz at 390°F for 15-22 min | Viva XXL (HD9630): about 5-6 oz each at 350°F (180°C) for 18-22 min. Essential Compact (HD925X): 21-26 min. | — |
| Salmon or fish fillets | AF100 Series: two 4 oz salmon fillets at 390°F for 10-13 min | Iconic: 1-inch salmon fillet at 380°F for 6-12 min | Viva XXL (HD9630): fish fillets of about 4 oz at 400°F (200°C) for 9-12 min. Essential Compact (HD925X): about 7 oz at 325°F (160°C) for 23-28 min. | South Africa timetable: fresh salmon, 205°C (400°F) for 8-10 min on Broil/Grill |
| Frozen chicken nuggets | AF100 Series: 12 oz box at 390°F for 10-13 min | Iconic: 385°F for 7-12 min | Viva XXL (HD9630): 3-46 oz at 350°F (180°C) for 7-18 min. Essential Compact (HD925X): 7-21 oz at 400°F (200°C) for 13-17 min. | Vortex Plus 10-qt oven: 400°F (205°C) for 10-15 min on Broil |
| Burgers | AF100 Series: four 1/4 lb patties, 1 inch thick, at 375°F for 8-10 min | Iconic: 4 oz patty, 1/2-3/4 inch, at 450°F for 6-14 min | Viva XXL (HD9630): about 5 oz at 400°F (200°C) for 10-15 min. Essential Compact (HD925X): 16-22 min. | South Africa timetable: beef burgers, 191°C (375°F) for 10-12 min on Broil/Grill |
| Bacon | AF100 Series: 4 strips cut in half at 350°F for 8-10 min | Iconic: 385°F for 5-8 min (thick cut 6-10 min). Pro LE Bacon preset: 320°F for 8 min. | — | South Africa timetable: crispy bacon, 191°C (375°F) for 8-10 min |
| Broccoli | AF100 Series: 1 head in 1-inch florets at 390°F for 10-12 min. EZView Max XL: the same 1 head for 13-16 min. | Iconic: small florets at 425°F for 5-9 min | Mixed vegetables only. Viva XXL (HD9630): 400°F (200°C) for 10-20 min | — |
| Steak | AF100 Series: two 8 oz steaks at 390°F for 10-20 min | Iconic: 1-inch New York strip at 450°F for 6-12 min. Pro LE Steak preset: 450°F for 6 min. | — | — |
The Fahrenheit figures in brackets in the South Africa timetable cells are my rounded conversions; that sheet prints Celsius only. Times are the makers’ own ranges, not mine, and a time on its own does not guarantee doneness.
Why Air Fryer Cooking Times Differ Between Charts
Each chart is written for particular machines. COSORI says its times are calibrated specifically for the Cosori Iconic, and that wattage, chamber size and airflow design vary between models, so a generic chart may not give the same results on every appliance. FSIS makes the same point: each air fryer has its own cooking times because of its size and power, but the safe internal temperature is always the same.
Charts from one maker disagree too. Philips gives fish fillets 9 to 12 minutes at 400°F on the Viva XXL, and 23 to 28 minutes at 325°F on the Essential Compact, though the fillet sizes differ as well. Ninja’s broccoli runs 10 to 12 minutes in the AF100 Series guide and 13 to 16 in the EZView Max XL guide. COSORI’s Frozen Foods preset is 350°F for 10 minutes on the Pro LE, while the TurboBlaze Frozen preset is 390°F for 14 minutes.
SharkNinja’s own blog chart names no model. It gives frozen fries 14 to 25 minutes at 350°F and says cooking times depend on the number of food items and the Ninja air fryer model. Philips calls its settings suggestions: ingredients differ in origin, size, shape and brand, so it cannot guarantee the best setting. If you are still choosing a machine, the best air fryers guide compares basket sizes and designs.
Frozen Food: Times and Whether to Thaw
COSORI says most frozen foods can go straight from freezer to basket with no thawing, and that frozen items generally need 2 to 5 minutes more than fresh. FSIS says to follow the cooking instructions on the food package when they exist, then check the internal temperature with a food thermometer.
One exception matters more than any time. FSIS says raw, stuffed, breaded chicken breast products should not be cooked in the air fryer; follow the package instructions for those instead.
Frozen fries show how wide the spread is. Ninja and Philips sit at 350°F to 360°F, the COSORI Iconic chart at 395°F, and Instant Pot’s 10-qt oven chart at 400°F, with times from about 12 to 32 minutes depending on load. The best air fryer for frozen food guide covers which machines suit a freezer-heavy kitchen.
How a Fuller Basket Changes the Time
Load changes the time, and the makers show it in different ways. Ninja prints separate rows: 1 lb of frozen fries at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes, and 2 lb at 360°F for 28 to 32 minutes. Philips covers 7 to 50 oz of fries on the Viva XXL with one range of 13 to 32 minutes. COSORI says a full basket reduces airflow and extends cook time, and that two smaller batches will consistently outperform one crowded basket.
FSIS warns that overfilling the basket can cause uneven cooking and undercooking, and suggests cooking large amounts in batches. Ninja’s AF100 guide asks for an even layer with no overlapping for consistent browning. COSORI allows small items like fries or nuggets to be layered if they are shaken regularly, but wants proteins in a single layer.
If food comes out pale or soggy at the chart time, why air fryer food is not crispy covers the usual causes, an overfilled basket among them.
When to Shake or Flip
COSORI’s Pro LE manual says to shake or flip food once halfway through cooking, or more if desired, and to avoid shaking for longer than 30 seconds because the air fryer may start to cool down. Philips asks you to shake, turn or stir 2 to 3 times for larger amounts such as fries, prawns, drumsticks and frozen snacks.
Ninja’s chart simply says to shake or toss often for best results. Instant Pot’s Vortex Dual and Vortex Slim show Turn Food part way through the cooking cycle, and if you do not remove the basket, cooking carries on after 10 seconds.
Does the Chart Time Include Preheating?
Ninja’s guides say to preheat for 3 minutes before adding ingredients. COSORI’s Pro LE manual recommends preheating and says food will not cook thoroughly without it, scaling the preheat from 2 minutes at 170°F to 280°F up to 4 minutes at 400°F to 450°F. So with both of those makers, the clock starts on a hot basket.
Philips says preheating of the appliance is not necessary. Instant Pot’s Vortex Slim preheats inside the program and shows Add Food when the preheating phase is over. Do you need to preheat an air fryer sets out each maker’s position in full.
Converting an Oven Recipe to the Air Fryer
Ninja’s AF100 guide says to reduce the oven recipe’s temperature by 25°F and check food frequently to avoid overcooking. SharkNinja’s blog says Ninja air fryers can cut cooking times by up to 50% against a wall oven, and its footnote ties that figure to a comparison using the Ninja Flip Toaster Oven and Air Fryer, not to a basket air fryer.
COSORI’s Iconic guide says its conversion formula reduces both temperature and time, but the page does not give the figures. In practice, take 25°F off, check early, and finish by internal temperature.
Safe Internal Temperatures: The Real Doneness Test
The chart gets you close; the thermometer tells you when to stop. FSIS says to cook all food to these minimum internal temperatures, as measured with a food thermometer, and its safe minimum internal temperature chart has the full list.
| Food | FSIS minimum internal temperature |
|---|---|
| All poultry, including wings, breasts and ground poultry | 165°F (73.9°C) |
| Ground meats, including burgers | 160°F (71.1°C) |
| Beef, pork, veal and lamb steaks, chops and roasts | 145°F (62.8°C), then rest at least 3 minutes |
| Fish and shellfish, including salmon | 145°F (62.8°C) |
| Eggs | 160°F (71.1°C) |
| Leftovers and casseroles, reheated | 165°F (73.9°C) |
COSORI’s chart page lists steak at 130°F to 145°F, marked as varying by preference. That is a doneness preference; the FSIS minimum for steaks is 145°F with a 3-minute rest. Instant Pot’s 10-qt oven manual says to always use a meat thermometer so poultry reaches at least 165°F. If you need one, the best wireless meat thermometers guide compares them.
How This Page Was Put Together
This page is built from maker documents and food-safety guidance, not from testing; I do not own or test air fryers, and every time on it is the maker’s. The sources are Ninja’s AF100 Series guide and EZView Max XL quick start guide, COSORI’s Iconic chart page and its Pro LE and TurboBlaze manuals, the Philips Viva XXL and Essential Compact manuals, Instant Pot’s Vortex Plus 10-qt oven and basket-model manuals and its South Africa timetable, SharkNinja’s blog chart, and the FSIS guidance on air fryers and food safety.
What I could not establish:
- I could not read Ninja’s own charts for the AF101, the AF161 Max XL or the DZ201, so whether they match the AF100 Series guide is not established.
- The COSORI Pro LE and TurboBlaze manuals give function presets rather than a food-by-food chart, and point to a recipe book I have not read.
- Instant Pot’s food timetable was read for the Vortex Plus 10-qt oven only; the basket-style Vortex manuals I read give program defaults, and the South Africa sheet does not plainly say which models it was written for.
- I found no independent test comparing chart times with measured doneness across brands, so I do not call any chart accurate.
- None of the sources gives a figure for adjusting times by wattage or by the size of the machine, beyond saying that both matter.
The Verdict
Start with your own maker’s row, because the charts above disagree by model as well as by brand. If your model is missing from the chart, start in the 350°F to 400°F band, check a few minutes early, shake halfway, and finish by internal temperature. The complete air fryer guide covers everyday use, and the air fryer hub has the rest of the guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you cook frozen fries in an air fryer?
Ninja’s AF100 Series chart gives 1 lb 20 to 25 minutes at 350°F, and COSORI’s Iconic chart gives thin fries 14 to 18 minutes at 395°F. A fuller basket takes longer. Follow the package directions if they cover air frying, and check before the shortest time on your chart.
What temperature do you air fry chicken wings at?
It depends on the maker. Ninja’s AF100 Series chart uses 390°F for 22 to 26 minutes, and COSORI’s Iconic chart uses 400°F for 16 to 22 minutes. Philips uses 350°F for a single layer of 2 to 8 wings. Either way, wings are done at 165°F inside.
How long does a chicken breast take in an air fryer?
Ninja’s AF100 Series chart gives two boneless breasts 18 to 22 minutes at 375°F, and COSORI’s Iconic chart gives an 8 to 10 oz breast 15 to 22 minutes at 390°F. COSORI says thickness has the most direct impact on cook time. Check the thickest part reaches 165°F.
Do you need to thaw frozen food before air frying?
Usually not. COSORI says most frozen foods can go straight from freezer to basket and need 2 to 5 minutes more than fresh. FSIS says not to air fry raw, stuffed, breaded chicken breast products at all, so follow the package for those.
How do you convert an oven recipe to an air fryer?
Ninja’s AF100 guide says to lower the temperature by 25°F and check food frequently. The time usually falls as well, so check well before the oven time runs out, and use a food thermometer rather than the clock to decide when meat and poultry are done.
Why does my air fryer take longer than the chart says?
Load, thickness and the machine itself. COSORI says a full basket reduces airflow and extends cook time, and FSIS says cooking times vary with the size and power of each air fryer. Cook in smaller batches and use your own maker’s chart.
What internal temperature means food is done in an air fryer?
FSIS sets 165°F for all poultry, 160°F for ground meats, and 145°F for fish and for whole cuts of beef, pork, veal and lamb, which then rest for 3 minutes. The air fryer does not change these numbers; measure with a food thermometer.
I'm Glenn, and I started Kitchenware Compare to cut through conflicting product reviews and help readers pick kitchen gear with confidence. I don't own or test the products I write about — these guides are built from verified-purchase reviews, manufacturer specifications, and independent testing where it exists, with the reasoning shown, not just a rating.
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