Cooking in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to make delicious barbecued food at home without needing an outdoor grill. Air fryers circulate hot air around food to cook it, resulting in a crispy texture similar to deep frying but with significantly less oil. While air fryers don’t actually “fry” foods, their convection heating allows you to make tasty barbecued dishes indoors.
When barbecuing meat, fish, vegetables, or other foods in an air fryer, temperature control is important for properly cooking the food without drying it out. There are some general guidelines for selecting the right air fryer temperature based on what you’re cooking. However, you may need to adjust the temperature up or down depending on the model of air fryer and the exact food you’re preparing.
What Temperature Should I Use for Different Barbecued Foods?
Here are some recommendations for air fryer temperatures to use when making various barbecued dishes:
Chicken
Whole chickens or chicken pieces like drumsticks and thighs can be “barbecued” in an air fryer. Aim for an air fryer temperature of 375°F to perfectly cook chicken without drying it out. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts should be cooked at a slightly lower temperature around 360°F since they cook faster. Brushing the chicken with barbecue sauce toward the end of cooking will give it that quintessential barbecue flavor.
Pork
For pork chops, tenderloin, ribs, etc. cook at 375°F in the air fryer. The ideal internal temperature to reach is 145°F for safe consumption. Air fry pork chops for 8-10 minutes per side, ribs for 15-20 minutes, and tenderloin for 15-25 minutes depending on thickness. Baste pork with barbecue sauce during the last few minutes of frying.
Beef
Air fry steaks, hamburgers, and other beef cuts at 380°F, monitoring closely to achieve your desired doneness. Aim for an internal temperature of at least 160°F. Baste with barbecue sauce toward the end but be careful not to burn the sugars in the sauce. Pieces of beef can typically air fry for 8-20 minutes depending on thickness and cut.
Fish
More delicate fish fillets and steaks should be air fried at a lower temperature of 350°F to prevent drying out. Brush fish with oil or barbecue sauce before frying.Cook fish for 6-12 minutes until flaky. Shrimp can be air fried at the same temperature for just 3-5 minutes.
Vegetables
When air frying vegetables, go for 390-400°F to get them crispy on the outside while tender inside. Toss vegetables in oil and seasoning before air frying. Try zucchini, eggplant, potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, etc. Cook for 10-20 minutes, shaking basket halfway. Toss with barbecue sauce to coat before serving.
Meat Alternatives
With plant-based meat replacements like veggie burgers, soy protein “chicken” and beefless crumbles, follow package instructions for oven baking temperatures (usually 375-400°F). Increase air fryer time by 2-3 minutes compared to oven to crisp up exterior.
Factors That Affect Air Fryer Temperature
While the temperatures above are a good starting point, the ideal air fryer temperature can vary slightly depending on:
Type of Air Fryer
– Smaller air fryers (2-3 qt) heat up faster and may require lower temperatures than larger air fryers.
– If your air fryer has an exposed heating element on top, you may need to reduce the temperature by 25°F compared to ones with concealed elements.
Amount of Food
– When air frying large batches, you may need to increase the temperature by 25°F to ensure even cooking.
– For small batches, reduce temperature by 25°F so food doesn’t overcook.
Type of Food
– The suggested temperatures are based on the food taking the longest amount of time to cook being placed in the air fryer first.
– If frying multiple foods, adjust temperature according to the item needing the highest temp.
Flip Frequency
– If you shake or flip the food frequently, you can get away with a slightly higher air fryer temperature.
– For set-it-and-forget-it cooking, reduce temperature by 25°F.
Tips for Best Results
Follow these tips for getting perfect air fried barbecue every time:
– Rub or brush meat and veggies with a little oil before air frying for crispiness.
– Flip or shake foods halfway during cooking to ensure even browning.
– Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperatures.
– Allow foods to rest 5 minutes before serving as they will continue cooking from residual heat.
– Adjust cooking times as needed based on thickness of food and your taste preferences.
– Brush with barbecue sauce only during the last 3-5 minutes to avoid burning.
Best Air Fryer Barbecue Recipes to Try
Here are some delicious barbecue recipes to make in your air fryer:
Barbecue Chicken Legs
– Marinate chicken legs in barbecue sauce overnight.
– Air fry at 375°F for 25 minutes until cooked through.
– Brush with more sauce and cook 5 mins more.
BBQ Pork Chops
– Season bone-in or boneless pork chops with salt, pepper and smoked paprika.
– Air fry at 375°F for 8-10 minutes per side.
– Coat chops in barbecue sauce last 2-3 minutes only.
BBQ Ribs
– Rub baby back ribs with dry seasoning or spicy brown mustard.
– Air fry at 375°F for 15 minutes.
– Brush ribs with barbecue sauce, flip and cook 10 more mins.
Bourbon BBQ Salmon
– Marinate salmon fillet in soy sauce, brown sugar, and bourbon.
– Air fry marinated salmon at 350°F skin side down for 8-10 minutes.
– Brush barbecue sauce on top during last 2 minutes.
Veggie Kebabs
– Thread zucchini, bell pepper, mushroom, cherry tomatoes on skewers.
– Air fry kabobs at 400°F, turning once, for 14-16 minutes total.
– Toss in barbecue sauce before serving.
Conclusion
Air frying is a quick and easy way to cook delicious barbecue favorites indoors. Ideal air fryer temperatures range from 350-400°F depending on what you’re cooking. Smaller batches and more delicate foods require lower temperatures while large batches benefit from higher heat. Always brush barbecue sauce on only at the very end to avoid burning. Monitor cooking and adjust temperature as needed based on your specific model. With the right technique, your air fryer can turn out juicy barbecue chicken, fall-off-the-bone ribs, crispy veggie kebabs and more.