Why the oven needs more heat and more time
Air fryer recipes are written for a small chamber with a fast fan. Hot air hits the food hard, drives off surface moisture quickly and browns it early. A full-size conventional oven moves air far more slowly, so the same food needs about 25°F more heat and roughly a quarter more time to reach the same result.
This is the exact inverse of the oven to air fryer conversion: converting back and forth returns you to the original numbers.
Air fryer to oven temperature conversion chart
| Air fryer (°F) | Oven (°F) | Air fryer (°C) | Oven (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300°F | 325°F | 150°C | 165°C |
| 325°F | 350°F | 160°C | 175°C |
| 350°F | 375°F | 180°C | 195°C |
| 375°F | 400°F | 190°C | 205°C |
| 400°F | 425°F | 200°C | 215°C |
If your oven only offers 10-degree steps, round up rather than down; an oven loses more heat each time the door opens.
Air fryer to oven time conversion chart
| Air fryer time | Conventional oven | Convection oven |
|---|---|---|
| 5 min | 6 min | 6 min |
| 8 min | 10 min | 9 min |
| 10 min | 13 min | 11 min |
| 12 min | 15 min | 13 min |
| 15 min | 19 min | 17 min |
| 16 min | 20 min | 18 min |
| 20 min | 25 min | 22 min |
| 24 min | 30 min | 26 min |
| 30 min | 38 min | 33 min |
Convection ovens keep the air fryer temperature and add about 10% to the time. See convection oven conversions.
How to keep food crisp in the oven
- Use a wire rack over a sheet pan so hot air reaches the underside, the way it does in a basket.
- Leave gaps between pieces. Crowding traps steam, and steamed food doesn’t crisp.
- Preheat fully. Ovens take 10–15 minutes to reach temperature, compared with 2–3 for an air fryer.
- Use the convection setting if you have one. It’s the closest an oven gets to an air fryer.
- Finish under the broiler for a minute if the surface needs more color, and watch it closely.
Air fryer to toaster oven
A toaster oven without a fan behaves like a small conventional oven, so apply the same add 25°F, × 1.25 rule. If it has a convection or air fry setting, keep the temperature and add about 10%. More on the toaster oven conversion page.
Frequently asked questions
How do you convert air fryer time to oven time?
Multiply the air fryer time by 1.25. So 16 minutes in the air fryer becomes 20 minutes in a conventional oven, and 24 minutes becomes 30.
What is 400 in an air fryer in an oven?
A 400°F air fryer setting converts to about 425°F in a conventional oven, with the cooking time multiplied by 1.25. In Celsius, 200°C in the air fryer becomes about 215°C in the oven.
What is 375°F for 7 minutes in an air fryer in the oven?
About 400°F for 9 minutes in a conventional oven. Short cook times scale less predictably, so check a minute or two early.
Can I cook an air fryer recipe in a convection oven?
Yes, and it is closer than a conventional oven. Keep the same temperature and add about 10% to the time.
Why is my food less crispy in the oven than in the air fryer?
A full-size oven moves air more slowly across the food, so moisture leaves the surface more slowly. Use a wire rack over a tray, leave space between pieces, and preheat fully.
Can I double an air fryer recipe in the oven?
Usually yes, and it is a main advantage of the oven. Keep food in a single layer with gaps; a doubled batch often needs only a few extra minutes rather than twice the time.