Does the air fryer need to be preheated for a long time before use?

Air fryers do not require prolonged preheating before use. Generally speaking, the preheating time for air fryers is usually between 3-10 minutes, and the preheating temperature is mostly between 180 ℃ and 200 ℃. The specific time and temperature may vary depending on the brand and model of the air fryer.
The main purpose of preheating an air fryer is to evenly raise the internal temperature of the fryer, so that the ingredients can reach the ideal temperature faster during the cooking process, thereby locking in moisture and nutrients, avoiding the situation of external cooking and internal growth, and also improving the taste of the food, quickly forming a golden and crispy outer layer on the surface of the ingredients. In addition, preheating can also shorten cooking time because the pot has already reached the set temperature in advance, and there is no need to wait for the ingredients to heat up after entering.
However, excessive preheating time or high temperature may increase the energy consumption of the air fryer and may damage the internal coating. Therefore, it is recommended to carefully read the instructions before using the air fryer, understand the correct preheating steps and the required time and temperature, and avoid excessive preheating.