The Instant Pot air fryer is a popular kitchen appliance that allows you to make crispy fried foods with little to no oil. It uses super heated air and convection to circulate hot air around food to produce a crispy finish. Determining the right cooking times can take some trial and error, but there are some general guidelines to follow.
Factors That Affect Cooking Time
Several factors impact how long food takes to cook in the Instant Pot air fryer:
- Amount of food – Cooking smaller batches takes less time than larger batches.
- Thickness/size of food – Thicker and larger pieces take longer to cook through.
- Type of food – Denser foods like meat take longer than quick-cooking veggies.
- Preparation – Food that is breaded or sauced will take longer than plain pieces.
- Personal taste – Cook time can vary based on desired crispiness or doneness.
- Altitude – Food cooks faster at higher altitudes so reduce time slightly.
Getting the right cook times requires experimenting and adjusting based on these factors. Always check food for doneness a few minutes early when trying a new recipe.
Instant Pot Air Fryer Cooking Time Charts
As a general guideline, here are approximate cooking times for common foods in the Instant Pot air fryer:
Vegetables
| Food | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Asparagus | 8-10 minutes |
| Broccoli | 6-8 minutes |
| Brussels sprouts | 10-12 minutes |
| Butternut squash | 15-18 minutes |
| Cauliflower | 10-12 minutes |
| Corn on the cob | 10-12 minutes |
| Green beans | 8-10 minutes |
| Potatoes, 1-inch pieces | 18-20 minutes |
| Zucchini | 6-8 minutes |
Meat and Poultry
| Food | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Bacon | 8-10 minutes |
| Boneless chicken breasts | 15-18 minutes |
| Boneless chicken thighs | 18-20 minutes |
| Burgers, 1/2 inch thick | 10-12 minutes |
| Chicken drumsticks | 22-25 minutes |
| Chicken wings | 18-20 minutes |
| Pork chops, 1 inch thick | 14-16 minutes |
| Sausages and hot dogs | 6-8 minutes |
| Steaks, 1 inch thick | 10-12 minutes |
Seafood
| Food | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Fish fillets, 1/2 inch thick | 6-8 minutes |
| Shrimp | 4-5 minutes |
| Salmon fillets | 10-12 minutes |
| Scallops | 5-7 minutes |
Premade Frozen Foods
| Food | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Chicken nuggets | 10-12 minutes |
| Fish sticks | 6-8 minutes |
| French fries | 18-20 minutes |
| Mozzarella sticks | 8-10 minutes |
| Pizza rolls | 10-12 minutes |
| Potstickers | 12-14 minutes |
Tips for Achieving Crispy Results
It can take some trial and error when cooking in an air fryer to achieve perfectly crispy results. Here are some tips to get the crispiest finish on your air fried foods:
- Cut food into smaller, evenly-sized pieces which will cook faster and more evenly.
- Coat foods lightly in oil – just 1-2 teaspoons is needed to aid browning.
- Preheat air fryer for 3-5 minutes before adding food for faster crisping.
- Flip or shake foods halfway during cooking time to expose all sides to airflow.
- Brush or spray foods with oil halfway through cooking if not getting crispy enough.
- Avoid overcrowding air fryer basket which prevents air circulation.
- Pat wet foods dry before cooking to improve crispiness.
- Use cooking racks or basket inserts to elevate foods off the bottom for crispier results.
Common Air Fryer Mistakes
It’s easy to make mistakes when you’re still learning how to use an air fryer. Here are some common errors to avoid:
- Not preheating – Preheating helps start the crisping process sooner.
- Overcrowding – Too much food blocks airflow needed to crisp up food.
- Not flipping foods – Flipping exposes all sides to hot circulating air.
- Breading too soon – Breading just before air frying prevents a soggy crust.
- Using wrong temperatures – High heat is needed to make food crisp, not just hot.
- Not tracking cook times – Note cook times to adjust for future uses.
- Not opening lid during cooking – Opening the lid briefly can improve air circulation.
- Lack of oil – A small amount of oil helps foods brown and get crispy.
Conclusion
The Instant Pot air fryer can produce quick, crispy and delicious food with minimal oil when you follow the right techniques. While cook times vary based on factors like food type and amount, the charts and tips provided give general guidelines for how long to cook common foods. Pay attention to cook times and make adjustments as needed to achieve the perfect crispiness. With some experimenting, you’ll be able to master your Instant Pot air fryer for efficiently cooking up crispy fries, wings, vegetables and more.