Instant Vortex Air Fryer cooking times

When you’re first starting with a new kitchen appliance knowing the temperature and cooking time for different types of foods can be a challenge. Here is a list of the Instant vortex air fryer cooking times as recommended by the manufacturer.

Your Instant Vortex Air Fryer can cook many different types of foods, from snacks to main dishes, side dishes to appetizers, and even baked goods. To help you get started Instant has a few cooking time and temperature suggestions along with which smart program to use.

If you’re using a recipe created for a basket-based air fryer, you may also want to follow that as well or adjust slightly based on the recommendations from the company.

When you’re cooking in your air fryer make sure to use an oven-safe cookware if needed. And leave enough room for the air to circulate. Air circulation is a critical part of an air fryer to work well.

Cooking times for different types of foods using the 6 quart Instant Vortex Air Fryer

The following cooking times are based on Instant’s recommendations for its 6-quart air fryer models the Instant Vortex and Instant Vortex Plus. Times may vary based on the food you have in your air fryer, especially how thick it is. Always keep an eye on what you’re cooking and adjust accordingly. And make sure you cook all meats to a safe temperature to avoid any unwanted surprises.

Air frying is a fun way to cook food faster and with less oil. Healthy eating is on the 2020 must-do list. Just like when you try any new cooking method, sometimes it takes a few tries to get the routine down 100%.

Also check the recipe you’re using for recommendations for time and temperature. A basket-based air fryer will cook differently than an air fryer over or toaster oven based on the heating element location.

Let’s take a look at the cooking program, time, and temperature recommendations for fries, meats and fish, veggies, snacks, and baked goods.

French Fries (fresh or frozen)

French fries and other “fried” foods are one of the reasons to buy an air fryer so that you can make those amazing treats healthier. Instead of deep-frying fries, you can create a crispy side dish or snack using air.

The cooking times will depend on if you’re using fresh or frozen fries. It also matters if they’re thin-cut or thick-cut. If you’re in a hurry you might be able to shave a few minutes off the cooking time by using 400F instead of 385F.

When cooking fries, you can use either the Air Fry or Roast settings. Make sure you shake the basket partway to ensure even cooking.

Food	Program	Cooking Time*	Temperature*	Instructions
Thin-cut fries (frozen)	Air Fry/Roast	14-18 minutes	385 F	Shake partway
Thick-cut fries (frozen)	Air Fry/Roast	16-20 minutes	385 F	Shake partway
Thin-cut fries (fresh)	Air Fry/Roast	18-20 minutes	385 F	Shake partway
Thick-cut fries (fresh)	Air Fry/Roast	20-25 minutes	385 F	Shake partway

Chicken Wings

There are a few favorites when it comes to air fryers and chicken wings is on that list. And there’s more than few ways to cook up a nice batch of wings for your next snack or even a meal.

The cooking times will depend on if you’re using fresh or frozen wings. And you may also notice differences in both cooking time and crispiness if you stack your wings versus keeping them in a single layer.

When cooking wings, you can use either the Air Fry or Roast settings. Make sure you turn the wings or shake the basket partway through the time to ensure even cooking. Keep an eye on them as some wings are thicker than others. You’ll want to make sure they’re thoroughly cooked to avoid nasty surprises.

Food	Program	Cooking Time*	Temperature*	Instructions
Chicken Wings (Frozen)	Air Fry/Roast	20-30 minutes	400F	Turn or shake partway
Chicken Wings (Fresh)	Air Fry/Roast	18-25 minutes	400F	Turn or shake partway

Meat and Fish

Air fryers isn’t just for snacks. You can also cook up your meat or fish main dish. In addition to chicken you can cook beef and different types of fish.

And while some of these dishes can use the roast or air fry programs, a few work better using the Broil program in the Instant Vortex Plus. If you’re in the process of researching your first air fryer purchase you may want to think about the types of foods you’ll cook before buying a specific model.

The cooking times will depend on the thickness of your food, so keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t overcook or undercook. Always cook meat and fish long enough to reach a safe temperature.

Food	Program	Cooking Time*	Temperature*	Instructions
Chicken Nuggets (frozen)	Broil/Air Fry	10-15 minutes	400F	Turn partway
Half chicken (up to 2 lbs)	Roast	30-40 minutes	380F	Baste partway through (optional)
Chicken (quarter)	Air Fry	18 minutes	400F	Turn partway
Beef steak	Air Fry	12 minutes	400F	Turn partway
Salmon	Roast	13 minutes	380F
Shrimp (Fresh)	Air Fry	8-10 minutes	350F	Turn partway
Fish Sticks (Frozen)	Broil	8-12 minutes	400F	Turn partway
White Fish Fillet	Broil	3-4 minutes	400F

Veggies

Here a few veggies to get you started with cooking in your air fryer. This isn’t the end of the list. You’ll also notice that you can either bake or air fry with different types of temperatures. You should turn your veggies partway through the cooking time to ensure even heating.

Food	Program	Cooking Time*	Temperature*	Instructions
Asparagus	Broil/Bake	7-9 minutes	380F	Turn partway
Asparagus	Air Fry	3 minutes	400F	Turn partway
Cauliflower	Broil/Bake	6-10 minutes	380F	Turn partway
Cauliflower	Air Fry	2-5 minutes	350F	Turn partway
Corn, on the cob	Roast	10 minutes	400F	Turn partway

Other Snacks and Appetizers

Part of the fun with an air fryer is quick access to snacks including nachos or creating your own fruit leather if you have an Instant Vortex Plus with the dehydrate program.

You can try cooking your nachos wither using the broil or air fry programs. Keep an eye on the cheese to ensure it doesn’t fly up into the heating element and melts without burning.

If you’re thinking about cooking pizza in your air fryer find a pizza that will fit within the basket.

Food	Program	Cooking Time*	Temperature*	Instructions
Nachos	Broil	3-5 minutes	400F	Check cheese halfway
Nachos	Air Fry	2 minutes	400F
Falafel	Air Fry	20 minutes	380F	Turn partway
Spanakopita	Bake	15 minutes	330F	Turn partway
Pizza (Frozen)	Air Fry	3-4 minutes	400F	Set it and forget it
Fruit Leather	Dehydrate	6 to 7 hours	150F	Thinly slice or puree fruit. Use an oven-safe pan

Baked Goods

And to wrap up a few cooking times for your 6 quart Instant Vortex, you can also bake a few different types of things. It’s always nice to either have a dessert after a meal or start your day with a muffin.

When baking in an air fryer make sure you use an oven-safe dish and leave it uncovered unless otherwise instructed by a recipe. You’ll also need to find a dish that fits in the basket of your air fryer with enough room left for air to circulate.

With the circulated air, your recipe will typically cook faster than it would in a conventional oven. And if you’re using a recipe designed for an air fryer, you may want to gauge your cooking times and temperatures based on that.

Food	Program	Cooking Time*	Temperature*	Instructions
Cake	Bake	25-35 minutes	365F	Use an oven-safe baking dish and leave uncovered
Cupcake	Bake	10-12 minutes	365F	Use an oven-safe baking dish and leave uncovered
Muffin	Bake	15 minutes	350F	Use an oven-safe baking dish and leave uncovered

What other questions do you have about Instant Vortex Air Fryer cooking times?

Cooking times and temperatures are recommendations only from the company for various popular food to cook in an air fryer. Make sure you use oven-safe cookware if you’re cooking something that needs a pan or dish.

Depending on the thickness of the food you’re making the cooking times could vary. And also double-check any recipes for additional suggestions.

You cook a lot of different things in your Instant Vortex. Don’t take the Instant Vortex Air Fryer cooking times list above as a limit to your options. Use it as a starting point.

What other foods are you thinking of cooking?