Do You Preheat an Air Fryer?
Updated 7 September 2026
Preheating your air fryer takes just a couple of minutes and makes a real difference for crispy foods. Here is when it matters and when you can skip it.
Quick answer
- 1Set the air fryer to the target temperature for 2-3 minutes before adding food.
- 2Add breaded, frozen or quick-cooking foods to a hot basket for the best crisp.
- 3For longer cooks like a whole chicken, preheating is optional.
When preheating helps
Preheating gives food an instant blast of heat, which sears the surface and locks in a crispy texture. It is most useful for chips, breaded foods, steak and anything you want golden and crunchy.
When you can skip it
For foods that cook for 20 minutes or more, a preheat makes little difference to the final result. If you are short on time, you can add food to a cold basket and simply add a couple of minutes to the cook time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I preheat an air fryer?+
2 to 3 minutes at your cooking temperature is plenty for most models.
Can you cook without preheating?+
Yes. Add 2-3 minutes to the cook time and check for doneness as usual.