How Long to Cook Chips in an Air Fryer (UK Times, Fresh and Frozen)
- TEMP
- 170-200°C
- TIME
- 15-26 MIN
- SHAKE
- SHAKE / TURN
Fresh, hand-cut chips take 170 to 200°C for 15 to 26 minutes across the sources on this page, while frozen chips run 170 to 210°C for 13 to 25 minutes. The Fryer Guide shows fresh and frozen as two separate tables, because they're different cooking jobs.
Based on 5 manufacturer sources. Figures last checked 27 September 2026. See the full list of manuals and articles used on this site on the about and methodology page.
What each brand's guide says (fresh)
| Brand | Temp | Time | Shake | Amount | Model | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja | 200°C | 16-18 min | Yes | 500g, thin | AF400UK (Foodi MAX Dual Zone) | Ninja Quick start guide, p.11 |
| Ninja | 200°C | 18-20 min | Yes | 500g, thick | AF400UK (Foodi MAX Dual Zone) | Ninja Quick start guide, p.11 |
| Salter | 200°C | 20-25 min | not stated | 450g, thin fries | AeroGrill Pro EK5106 | Salter Recipe booklet, p.5 |
| Salter | 200°C | 23-26 min | not stated | 450g, thick chips | AeroGrill Pro EK5106 | Salter Recipe booklet, p.5 |
| Salter | 170°C | 15-25 min | Yes | not given | AeroGrill Pro EK5106 | Salter Recipe booklet, p.5 |
| Instant | 200°C | 18-20 min | not stated | not given | Instant Vortex range (UK, brand-level chart) | Instant Brand chart |
What each source actually says
- Ninja (AF400UK (Foodi MAX Dual Zone)): Chart row, page 11: Chips, hand-cut fresh, thin 500g 200°C 16-18 mins source
- Ninja (AF400UK (Foodi MAX Dual Zone)): Chart row, page 11: Chips, hand-cut fresh, thick 500g 200°C 18-20 mins source
- Salter (AeroGrill Pro EK5106): Chart row, page 5: White potatoes - thin fries 450 g 200°C 20-25 mins source
- Salter (AeroGrill Pro EK5106): Chart row, page 5: White potatoes - thick chips 450 g 200°C 23-26 mins source
- Salter (AeroGrill Pro EK5106): Chart row, page 5: STEP 6: Cook for 15-25 minutes. STEP 7: Shake the chips regularly (approx. every 6 minutes) source
- Instant (Instant Vortex range (UK, brand-level chart)): Chart row: Chips 200°C 18-20 mins Air Fry source
What each brand's guide says (frozen)
- TEMP
- 170-210°C
- TIME
- 13-25 MIN
- SHAKE
- SHAKE / TURN
| Brand | Temp | Time | Shake | Amount | Model | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja | 200°C | 20 min | Yes | 500g, chunky oven chips | AF400UK (Foodi MAX Dual Zone) | Ninja Quick start guide, p.11 |
| Ninja | 210°C | 18-20 min | Yes | 500g, crinkle | AF400UK (Foodi MAX Dual Zone) | Ninja Quick start guide, p.11 |
| Ninja | 200°C | 18 min | Yes | 500g, straight cut | AF400UK (Foodi MAX Dual Zone) | Ninja Quick start guide, p.11 |
| Ninja | 180°C | 14-25 min | not stated | not given | AF400UK / AF100UK | Ninja Brand chart |
| Tower | 200°C | 18-20 min | Yes | 400-500g, thin frozen fries | T17082 (4 Litre Manual Air Fryer) | Tower Manual, p.8 |
| Tower | 200°C | 20-25 min | Yes | 400-500g, thick frozen fries | T17082 (4 Litre Manual Air Fryer) | Tower Manual, p.8 |
| Salter | 200°C | 15-20 min | not stated | 500g french fries | AeroGrill Pro EK5106 | Salter Recipe booklet, p.5 |
| Salter | 180°C | 20-25 min | not stated | 1kg french fries | AeroGrill Pro EK5106 | Salter Recipe booklet, p.5 |
| Salter | 170°C | 15-25 min | Yes | 300-700g | AeroGrill Pro EK5106 | Salter Recipe booklet, p.5 |
| Instant | 180°C | 15-18 min | not stated | not given | Instant Vortex range (UK, brand-level chart) | Instant Brand chart |
| Instant | 180°C | 13-16 min | not stated | not given | Instant Vortex range (UK, brand-level chart) | Instant Brand chart |
What each source actually says
- Ninja (AF400UK (Foodi MAX Dual Zone)): Chart row, page 11: Frozen chunky oven chips 500g 200°C 20 mins source
- Ninja (AF400UK (Foodi MAX Dual Zone)): Chart row, page 11: Frozen crinkle chips 500g 210°C 18-20 mins source
- Ninja (AF400UK (Foodi MAX Dual Zone)): Chart row, page 11: Frozen straight cut chips 500g 200°C 18 mins source
- Ninja (AF400UK / AF100UK): Chart row: Frozen chips 230°C oven 15-20 min vs Ninja Air Fryer 180°C 14-25 min source
- Tower (T17082 (4 Litre Manual Air Fryer)): Chart row, page 8: Thin frozen fries 200 18-20 400-500 Yes source
- Tower (T17082 (4 Litre Manual Air Fryer)): Chart row, page 8: Thick frozen fries 200 20-25 400-500 Yes source
- Salter (AeroGrill Pro EK5106): Chart row, page 5: Frozen: French fries 500 g 200°C 15-20 mins source
- Salter (AeroGrill Pro EK5106): Chart row, page 5: Frozen: French fries 1 kg 180°C 20-25 mins source
- Salter (AeroGrill Pro EK5106): Chart row, page 5: Frozen Chips: Add 300-700 g of frozen chips ... Cook for 15-25 minutes. source
- Instant (Instant Vortex range (UK, brand-level chart)): Chart row: Frozen Chips 180°C 15-18 mins Air Fry source
- Instant (Instant Vortex range (UK, brand-level chart)): Chart row: Frozen French Fries 180°C 13-16 mins Air Fry source
Fresh vs frozen
Fresh and frozen chips are shown as two separate tables below; the two ranges shouldn't be mixed, since frozen chips are usually pre-fried and coated before freezing.
Size and thickness adjustments
For fresh chips, Ninja gives two thicknesses from the same 500g batch, with 1 to 3 tablespoons of oil: 16 to 18 minutes for thin hand-cut chips, or 18 to 20 minutes for thick, both soaked in cold water for 30 minutes and patted dry first. Salter's step-by-step method for home-made chips uses a lower 170°C with a 15 to 25 minute range, shaking regularly, about every 6 minutes. For frozen chips, Tower splits thin (200°C, 18 to 20 minutes, 400 to 500g) from thick (200°C, 20 to 25 minutes, 400 to 500g), both shaken.
Browning and doneness
None of the sources give a food-safety temperature for chips; look for a golden, crisp outside once the time is up, and check earlier the first time you try a new bag or cut.
Where brands disagree
Salter's home-made chip method uses the lowest fresh-chip temperature on this page, 170°C, but a similar time range to the hotter 200°C figures elsewhere, because oil quantity and cut thickness also affect the result.
From the oven instead?
If you have an oven time and temperature and want the air fryer equivalent, use the oven to air fryer converter.
Frequently asked questions
- What temperature should fresh chips be cooked at in an air fryer?
- Sourced figures for fresh chips range from 170 to 200°C, for 15 to 26 minutes depending on method and thickness.
- What temperature should frozen chips be cooked at?
- Sourced figures for frozen chips range from 170 to 210°C, for 13 to 25 minutes.
- Do chips need shaking during cooking?
- Several sourced figures for fresh and frozen chips say to shake or stir, some specifying halfway through or every 6 minutes; the Shake column in each table shows which.
- Why do frozen chips sometimes need a higher temperature than fresh?
- Ninja's frozen crinkle chips figure (210°C) is the single hottest chip setting on this page; the rest of frozen and fresh chips sit at 170 to 200°C, so this is brand-specific rather than a fresh-versus-frozen rule.
Also see: Jacket potato