When you're cooking in batches, the air fryer can double as a warming drawer — holding cooked food at a low temperature while you finish the rest. The trick is a gentle heat so it doesn't dry out. Here's how.
Key takeaways
Q: Can you keep food warm in an air fryer?
A: Yes — set it to a low 60–80°C (140–175°F) to hold cooked food warm without overcooking it.
Q: Will it dry out?
A: It can over time — loosely cover with foil and don't hold it too long.
How to do it
- Set a low temperature — around 60–80°C.
- Loosely cover with foil to slow moisture loss.
- Crispy food holds best; saucy food dries fastest.
- Don't hold too long — quality fades after 20–30 minutes.
Food safety
To stay safe, keep hot food above 63°C while holding, and don't leave cooked food sitting in the warm-but-not-hot zone for long periods. If it's going to be a while, it's better to cool and reheat properly than to hold for hours.
Cooking for a crowd? See cooking two things at once and dual-basket tips.
Frequently asked questions
Can you keep food warm in an air fryer?
Yes — set it to a low 60–80°C to hold cooked food warm while you finish the rest, loosely covered with foil so it doesn't dry out.
Will food dry out if you keep it warm in the air fryer?
It can over time, especially saucy food. Cover it loosely with foil and don't hold it longer than 20–30 minutes for the best quality.
Is it safe to hold food warm in an air fryer?
Keep hot food above 63°C while holding, and don't leave it in a lukewarm state for long. For longer waits, cool and reheat properly instead.