How to convert a conventional or regular oven recipe to the air fryer
Converting from a conventional oven takes two adjustments. Lower the temperature by 25°F, or 15°C, and multiply the oven time by 0.8. The calculator above does both, then rounds the temperature to the nearest 5 degrees so it matches the settings on your air fryer.
The reason is airflow. An air fryer is a small, powerful convection oven: its fan moves hot air quickly across the food, so heat reaches the surface faster than in the still air of a regular oven. Food browns sooner, so it needs a little less heat and less time.
One exception: if your recipe already gives a fan or convection temperature, keep that temperature and only shorten the time. See convection oven to air fryer conversion for the full chart.
Oven to air fryer temperature conversion chart
The chart applies the same rule as the calculator: minus 25°F, or minus 15°C, rounded to the nearest 5.
| Oven (°F) | Air fryer (°F) | Oven (°C) | Air fryer (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300°F | 275°F | 150°C | 135°C |
| 325°F | 300°F | 160°C | 145°C |
| 350°F | 325°F | 180°C | 165°C |
| 375°F | 350°F | 190°C | 175°C |
| 400°F | 375°F | 200°C | 185°C |
| 425°F | 400°F | 220°C | 205°C* |
| 450°F | 425°F* | 230°C | 215°C* |
*Many basket air fryers top out at 400°F (200°C). If your model can’t reach the converted temperature, set it to its maximum and check a few minutes early.
So a 375°F oven recipe goes in the air fryer at 350°F, and a 425°F recipe at 400°F.
Oven to air fryer cooking time conversion
Multiply the oven time by 0.8. A 30-minute bake becomes 24 minutes, 20 minutes becomes 16, and an hour becomes 48. Start checking at about 75% of the original oven time; opening the basket early costs nothing, but burnt edges can’t be undone.
| Oven time | Air fryer time | Start checking at |
|---|---|---|
| 10 min | 8 min | 7 min |
| 15 min | 12 min | 11 min |
| 20 min | 16 min | 15 min |
| 25 min | 20 min | 18 min |
| 30 min | 24 min | 22 min |
| 40 min | 32 min | 30 min |
| 45 min | 36 min | 33 min |
| 60 min | 48 min | 45 min |
The time cut isn’t identical for every food. Thin, crispy foods finish sooner, while thick roasts and cakes need closer to their full time to cook through or set. These are the starting points the calculator applies when you pick a food type:
| Food type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Most recipes | −25°F / −15°C | × 0.8 |
| Thin and crispy (fries, cutlets, fish fillets) | −25°F / −15°C | × 0.75 |
| Vegetables | −25°F / −15°C | × 0.75 |
| Thick meat and roasts | −25°F / −15°C | × 0.85 |
| Cakes and bakes | −25°F / −15°C | × 0.85 |
| Frozen packaged food | −25°F / −15°C | × 0.8 |
If a frozen food box already prints air fryer directions, use those instead.
Air fryer to oven conversion
To go the other way, add 25°F (15°C) and multiply the air fryer time by 1.25. A recipe written for 375°F and 16 minutes in the air fryer becomes about 400°F for 20 minutes in the oven. Expect a little less crispness. The air fryer to oven conversion page has its own chart and tips for keeping food crisp.
Convection oven, toaster oven and brand-specific conversions
- Convection or fan oven: it already circulates air, so keep the temperature and cut the time by about 10%. Details: convection oven to air fryer conversion.
- Toaster oven: most behave like a small conventional oven, so apply the full minus 25°F and × 0.8. Details: toaster oven to air fryer conversion.
- Ninja, Cosori, Instant, Philips and other brands: the conversion is arithmetic, so it works on every model. Just check your model’s maximum temperature.
If a recipe says “oven bake” without mentioning fan or convection, treat it as a conventional oven.
Tips that matter more than the math
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. Air needs room to circulate, so cook in a single layer and work in batches.
- Shake or flip halfway for even browning.
- Preheat for 2–3 minutes. A hot start gives a better crust.
- Trust a thermometer over a timer. The USDA safe minimum for chicken is 165°F (74°C); see the FoodSafety.gov safe minimum temperature chart.
Free printable oven to air fryer conversion chart
Pin it to the fridge. The printable chart covers the full temperature range in °F and °C, the time multiplier and the food-type adjustments on one page. No email signup needed.
Or save the image. Letter-size PDF, prints on one page.
Frequently asked questions
How do you convert oven time to air fryer time?
Multiply the oven time by 0.8, which takes off 20%. So 30 minutes in the oven becomes 24 minutes in the air fryer, and 20 minutes becomes 16. Start checking at about 75% of the original time.
What is 400 degrees in an air fryer?
A 400°F oven recipe converts to 375°F in the air fryer, with the time cut by about 20%. In Celsius, a 200°C oven recipe converts to about 185°C.
How do I convert a 180°C oven recipe to the air fryer?
Set the air fryer to 165°C and multiply the time by 0.8. A dish baked at 180°C for 30 minutes becomes 165°C for 24 minutes.
What temperature is 200°C in an air fryer?
If a recipe calls for a 200°C conventional oven, set the air fryer to about 185°C and cut the time by 20%. If the recipe was written for an air fryer at 200°C, that is already the right setting.
Is 200 degrees in an air fryer the same as in an oven?
No. The fast-moving air makes 200°C in an air fryer cook roughly like 215°C in a conventional oven. That is why you lower the temperature when converting.
How long is 20 minutes in the oven in an air fryer?
About 16 minutes. Thin or crispy foods may be done closer to 15 minutes; thick items may need 17.
Is 200°C hot enough for an air fryer?
Yes. 200°C is the maximum on many air fryers and plenty for roasting and crisping. Most everyday foods cook best between 160°C and 200°C.
Can I turn my oven into an air fryer?
Not exactly, but you can get close. Use the convection or fan setting, put food on a wire rack over a tray so air reaches the underside, and leave space between pieces.
Is air frying healthier than baking?
They are roughly comparable. Air frying uses far less oil than deep frying, but compared with oven baking the difference is small; what you cook and how much oil you add matter more.
Can I use foil or parchment paper in an air fryer?
Yes, but never cover the whole basket, because blocked airflow defeats the purpose. Use perforated liners, keep them weighed down with food, and never preheat with a loose liner inside.
Why is my air fryer smoking?
Usually grease. Fat drips onto the hot drawer and smokes; add a tablespoon of water under the basket and clean the drawer between fatty batches.
Can I bake cakes in an air fryer?
Yes, in a small oven-safe pan with room for air around it. Lower the temperature by 25°F (15°C), multiply the time by 0.85 rather than 0.8, and test with a toothpick.
Conversions are starting points; always check food with a thermometer.