The 14 Best Air Fryer Settings (Ninja) Explained

The best air fryer settings on Ninja 4-qt air fryers may vary depending on the type of food and the air fryer models. I’ve already tested almost all Ninja 4-qt air fryer models, and here’s my perspective on the fryer’s general features and settings.

Air Fryer Crisp Setting

Best for The air fryer’s crispy setting allows you to bring a golden brown, crispy texture to foods like chicken wings, nuggets, fries, and vegetables.
Temperature: 375° F to 400° F
Air-fryer time: 15-20 minutes for fries, 10-15 minutes for vegetables, 20-25 minutes for chicken wings, and 8-15 minutes for frozen foods.
Tips: Avoid overcrowding and shake the basket halfway for even crisping.

Air Fryer Roast Setting

Best for: Roasting meats (chicken, beef, pork, or turkey), vegetables, and even baking potatoes and casseroles.
Temperature: 375° F to 400° F.
Air Fryer Time: 50-60 minutes at 375° F for a whole chicken, 40-55 minutes at 375° F for beef, 15-25 minutes at 375° F for vegetables, and 30-40 minutes at 400° F for baked potatoes.
Tips: Season well, check the doneness using a meat thermometer, and flip halfway through for even roasting.

Air Fryer Bacon Settings

Best for: Cooking crispy and chewy bacon in just a few minutes.
Temperature: 390° F
Air Fryer Time: For a thick cut, it will take 10-12 minutes, while it will take 8-9 minutes for a thin cut.
Tips: Lay the bacon strips in a single layer and check it frequently to avoid overcooking.

Salmon Air Fryer Settings

Best for: Making tender, juicy, and delicious pieces of fresh or frozen salmon fillets. Whether skin-on or skin-less, marinated or seasoned, Ninja air fryers let you cook salmon filets in less than 10 minutes.
Temperature: 400° F
Air Fryer Time: 7-9 minutes
Tips: Check at the 7-minute mark to avoid overcooking.

Air Fryer Bake Setting

Best for: Various small baked dishes and desserts like cakes, muffins, bread, cookies, casseroles, baked potatoes, fruit pies, and banana bread. This setting is typically ideal for recipes requiring lower oven temperatures.
Temperature: It usually takes 20-25 % less time than a conventional oven. It will require 300-375 degrees F for oven baking and 280-350 degrees F for air fryer baking settings.
Air Fryer Time: 10–30 minutes, depending on the type of food. Muffins and cookies will take less time than bread items.
Tips: Set 20-25° F lower than the oven recipe.

Air Fryer Settings for Chicken Breast

Best for: Cooking juicy, tender chicken breasts with a crispy texture outside.
Temperature: 375° F – 400° F
Air Fryer Time: 18-22 minutes for boneless, skinless chicken breast and 25-30 minutes for bone-in and skin-on chicken.
Tips: Flip halfway through for even cooking.

Air Fryer Chicken Settings

Best for: Fresh or frozen chicken breasts, thighs, wings, or drumsticks with or without breading or marinade.
Temperature: 400° F
Air Fryer Time: It depends on the type of chicken. For instance, 42-52 minutes for a whole chicken of 3-4 lb, 25-30 minutes for bone-in chicken breasts or thighs, 18-22 minutes for boneless chicken breasts or thighs, 20-22 minutes for drumsticks, and 25-30 minutes for leg quarters, 1 lb each.
Tips: Flip the chicken two-thirds of the total time for perfect cooking.

Air Fryer Hot Pocket Settings

Best for: Heating hot pockets for a crispy, golden brown exterior and juicy, properly melted interior.
Temperature: 360° F
Air Fryer Time: 13-15 minutes
Tips: Flip halfway through and check at the 8-minute mark to ensure even cooking.

Air FryerDehydrate Setting

Best for: Dehydrating fruits, vegetables, herbs and making jerky. This setting is used to remove moisture from fruits, vegetables, and meat and preserve them.
Temperature: 120° F to 160° F
Air Fryer Time: Set the timer for 4-6 hours at 160° F for making jerky, 4-8 hours at 125° F for vegetables and 6-8 hours at 135° F for fruits.
Tips: Slice the pieces evenly for consistent drying.

Air Fryer Grilled Cheese Settings

Best for: Cooking super crispy, golden brown grilled cheese sandwiches.
Temperature: 370° F
Air Fryer Time: 4-6 minutes
Tips: Better to use butter on the outside for a perfectly crispy, golden finish.

Air Fryer Hot Dog Settings

Best for: Making perfectly juicy, brown hot dogs with a slightly crispy exterior.
Temperature: 400° F
Air Fryer Time: 4-6 minutes
Tips: If you place buns in the fryer for the last 2-3 minutes, get them hot and slightly crispy.

Air Fryer Chicken Wings Settings

Best for: Cooking crispy, juicy, golden brown chicken wings with less fat than deep frying.
Temperature: 375° F to 400° F
Air-fryer time: 20-25 minutes for fresh wings and 25-30 minutes for frozen wings.
Tips: Cook the wings for 10 minutes at 375° F. Then flip them and increase the temperature to 400° F for the rest of the time. Pat dry the wings before seasoning and air frying for extra crispiness.

Air Fryer Steak Settings

Best for: Making crispy, juicy and tender steaks, especially with ribeye, sirloin and filet mignon cuts.
Temperature: 400° F
Air Fryer Time: 8 minutes for Rare steak, 10 minutes for Medium Rare, 12 minutes for Rare, and 12-15 minutes for Well-Done.
Tips: Flip the steaks halfway through. After air frying, let the steaks rest for a few minutes for a juicier result.

Air Fryer French Fries Settings

Best for Perfectly fried french fries from fresh or frozen potatoes.
Temperature: 375° F
Air Fryer Time: 15-20 minutes
Tips: Shake the basket halfway through for even crispiness.

Quick General Cooking Guidelines

Remember to preheat the air fryer for at least 3 minutes before cooking.
While cooking, shake or flip the items halfway through the cooking time.
Use a light coating of oil or butter for the even crispiness and prevent sogginess.
It’s better to check the user manual or recipe book for the precise setting, as the temperature and time may vary depending on the model of your air fryer.

These are the results of my long-term experiments with different settings on my multiple Ninja 4-qt air fryer models. I hope these settings help you cook the best air-frying recipes you’re trying to make.