Preheating your Ninja air fryer is one of those little kitchen tricks that can make a surprisingly big difference — but here’s the good news: it’s easy, fast, and sometimes skippable. I’ll walk you through how to do it, why you might want to, and what to do if you just can’t be bothered today (we’ve all been there!).
Although I use a Ninja air fryer, these tips will work with pretty much any model of air fryer — Philips, COSORI, Instant, Tower, you name it. The only exception is if your air fryer manual specifically says not to preheat (some do, so it’s always worth a quick check!).
Why preheat your air fryer?
You might be wondering: do I really need to preheat my air fryer? The honest answer is: not always.
But preheating helps your air fryer reach the right temperature before the food goes in — which can mean crispier, more evenly cooked results, especially for things that cook quickly (hello, frozen fries, chicken bites and thin pork chops!).
It also helps if you want a nicely browned finish or a bit of a "sizzle" when the food hits the hot basket. On the other hand, if you’re cooking something that needs to warm through gently (think baked goods or more delicate veggies like squash), you might choose to skip the preheat.
Benefits of preheating your air fryer
- Crispier results – great for potatoes, meats, and anything you want to brown
- Even cooking – especially useful for quick-cooking foods
- Faster overall cook time – the air fryer doesn’t need to spend the first few minutes heating up while your food is already inside
- More predictable results – helps you follow recipes more accurately (including the ones on my blog!)
How to preheat a Ninja air fryer
Super simple! Here’s what to do:
- Set the temperature you want to cook at (e.g. 200°C / 390°F for many crispy recipes).
- Turn the air fryer on and run it for 3–5 minutes with the basket empty. That’s your preheat time done! Top Tip: I like to add this as additional minutes. For example, if a recipe needs 20 minutes, I'll set the air fryer for 23 minutes and then put the food in, once the timer reaches 20 minutes. This means, it won't go through its cool-down cycle after your pre-heat.
- Once the timer is up, add your food to the hot basket and start cooking as usual.
Some Ninja air fryers even have a dedicated Preheat setting — if yours does, just follow the on-screen instructions.
What if you don’t have the time (or the inclination!) to preheat?
Honestly? It’s totally fine to skip preheating sometimes! I often do if I’m cooking something with a longer cook time, or if I’m just in a hurry.
If you skip preheating, just be aware:
- Food may take a couple of extra minutes to cook.
- You might not get the same golden crisp on certain foods.
- The first couple of minutes will be spent heating up the basket, so adjust timing as needed.
Quick tip: If you want to split the difference, you can pop the air fryer on for 2–3 minutes while you prep your food, then add the food once the basket is warm — a "mini preheat"!
No need to overthink it
Preheating your air fryer isn’t hard — and it can really help when you want crisp, even results. But it’s not a hard rule. I like to think of it as one more flexible tool in your air fryer toolkit.
Now you know how to do it — and when you don’t have to!
FAQs
Do I always need to preheat my air fryer?
No — it depends on what you’re cooking! Preheating helps with crispiness and even cooking, but it’s not essential for every recipe. If your food has a longer cook time or needs gentle cooking, you can skip it.
How long should I preheat a Ninja air fryer?
Just 3–5 minutes at your cooking temperature is enough. Some Ninja models even have a built-in Preheat setting.
Can I preheat my air fryer with parchment paper or foil inside?
It’s best not to! Loose parchment or foil can blow around in an empty air fryer and may cause problems. Always preheat with an empty basket, then add parchment paper if needed when you add the food.
Is preheating the air fryer worth it?
For many foods — yes! It helps with crispiness and speeds up cooking. But if you’re short on time or cooking something delicate, you can skip it and adjust cook times slightly.
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