How To Preheat Air Fryer

An Air Fryer makes it incredibly easy to cook up healthier versions of all your favorite fried foods. This helpful air fryer guide shows you how to preheat air fryer, explains why you should do it (and when you shouldn’t), and includes handy tips, timings, and more!

 

CLOSE UP OF AN AIR FRYER

Do you love cooking with your air fryer, but aren’t sure how to preheat air fryer? Or if you actually need to?

This helpful guide not only shows you how to preheat air fryer, it explains why you should do it (and when you shouldn’t), and also includes handy tips, timings, and more!

*****Please click here to grab the Beginners easy air fryer recipes ebook!!!*****

It’s no wonder the Air Fryer has proven to be one of the most popular kitchen gadgets around.

An Air Fryer makes it incredibly easy to cook up healthier versions of all your favorite fried foods like crispy Air Fryer Chicken Breast, and these really delicious Air Fryer Chicken Thighs and family favorite Air Fryer Green Beans.

And there are more options on the market to choose from than ever before.

But, no matter which type of air fryer you have, the one thing every air fryer owner needs to know is how to preheat air fryer.

Why Preheat an Air Fryer?

Just like cooking with a conventional oven, preheating an air fryer provides several benefits;

  • Food cooks more evenly, like this how to Reheat Steak In The Air Fryer recipe.
  • Exterior will be perfectly crispy.
  • Cook time will be more accurate when making recipes that call for preheating.

So now that you know why preheating your air fryer is important, here’s what you need to know to do it!

front view of a cosori air fryer

How To Preheat Air Fryer – Manual Method

  1. Plug in the air fryer, make sure it is empty, and power it on.
  2. Set the temperature to what is listed on the recipe or food package instructions.
  3. Select the preheat time needed. Use what is listed in your user manual, or follow the suggested range of times for different temperatures listed below. On average, preheating will usually take between 2-5 minutes.

I use the manual method for preheating.

view of front panel showing how to preheat an air fryer

How To Preheat Air Fryer – Preheat Function Button

  1. If your air fryer has a preheat button, plug in the air fryer and power it on.
  2. Maue sure the air fryer basket is empty, then select the preheat function button.
  3. When preheating function is complete, open the air fryer basket, add food, and cook as per recipe or package directions.
close up view of the preheat button on the panel of the air fryer

Tips For Success

  • Consult the instruction manual that came with your air fryer and follow the preheating instructions for your specific model.
  • Make sure your air fryer is clean and dry before you begin to preheat.
  • Air fryer temperatures vary depending on the make and model, so it is important to always check your food for doneness. 
the cooked frozen french fries inside the air fryer basket

When Not To Preheat Air Fryer

Most of the time it is best to preheat an air fryer, but there are certain situations where you do not want to preheat;

  • Do not preheat when baking bread, cake, or pastries. Preheating tends to make the outside too crispy too soon, resulting in a overly-crunchy outside and a doughy under-cooked inside.
  • You may want to skip preheating when cooking thicker raw foods like whole chicken or roasts. Otherwise, you run the risk of having an overcooked exterior before the food is cooked through the center.
4 of the completed air fryer cinnamon rolls with bacon topped with frosting

FAQs

Do I need To Preheat Air Fryer?

While you do not have to preheat the air fryer, if you don’t, your food will take longer to cook, may cook less evenly, and the outside will likely be less crispy.

How Long Does It Take To Preheat Air Fryer?

How long it takes to preheat air fryer varies depending on the model of air fryer, the size of your air fryer, and the cooking temperature.

Here are a range of times to preheat a medium-sized, basket-style air fryer:
2-3 minutes to reach 300F / 149C.
3-4 minutes to reach 350F / 176C.
4-5 minutes to reach 375F / 190C.
5-6 minutes to reach 400F / 204C.

Can I Preheat Air Fryer with Parchment Paper?

No, you do not want to preheat your fryer with parchment paper. When parchment paper is not being held down by food items, it will blow around and could burn.

When using parchment paper for cooking, preheat the air fryer first and then add the parchment right before your food.

Should I Use The Preheat Button on Air Fryer?

If your air fryer has a preheat button, you can certainly use it. Personally, I tend to skip it, as I find it easy to just run my air fryer for the time it takes to get up to the temperature needed.

top down view showing how to reheat steak in air fryer

Air Fryer Recipes You May Like

So here are a few recipes that you might like to cook, now that you have learnt about your preheating your air fryer.

More Helpful Info about Air Fryer

Thank you for reading my How To Preheat Air Fryer post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

top down view of the kale chips in air fryer basket

How To Preheat Air Fryer

Steps For Preheating An Air Fryer Using the Manual Method

  1. Plug in the air fryer.

    Make sure it is empty, clean and dry, plug it in, and power it on.

  2. Set the temperature.

    Set the temperature to what is listed on the recipe you are making or according to the food package instructions.

  3. Select the time.

    Set the timer to what is listed in your user manual, or follow the suggested range of times for different temperatures listed below. On average, preheating will usually take between 2-5 minutes.

close up view of the air fryer panel set to preheat

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