How to use the air fryer conversion calculator
- Enter the oven temperature from your recipe and choose Fahrenheit or Celsius.
- Enter the oven time in minutes.
- Leave the temperature reduction at 25 degrees F and the time reduction at 20%, or change them to match what works in your air fryer.
- Read the air fryer temperature and time, and check the food at the first check time to turn or shake it.
Formula
Air fryer temperature = oven temperature - temperature reduction
Air fryer time = oven time x (1 - time reduction %)
A Fahrenheit reduction is converted to Celsius degrees by multiplying by 5/9
The reductions are rules of thumb you can edit, not fixed physical laws. The first check is set at three quarters of the converted time.
Worked example
A recipe calls for 400 F for 30 minutes in an oven. Lowering the temperature by 25 degrees gives 375 F, and cutting the time by 20% gives 24 minutes. In Celsius that is about 191 degrees.
For an oven recipe at 200 C, the 25 F reduction is 13.9 C, so the air fryer is set to about 186 C.
Why the settings drop
An air fryer is a small convection oven. A fan moves hot air quickly around a compact space, so food browns and cooks faster than in a large oven. Many cooks lower the temperature a little and shorten the time as a starting point. The right numbers still depend on the model, the size of the basket and the food.
Adjust as you learn your machine
Check early, since a hot spot or a thick piece can need more time. Do not crowd the basket, because airflow is the point. Shake or turn the food, and note what worked so you can edit the percentages. For quantities, the cooking measurement converter and ingredient grams to cups converter help with conversions, and the unit converter covers temperature and weight.
Food safety
Time and temperature are estimates. Meat, poultry and egg dishes must reach a safe internal temperature, so use a food thermometer rather than the clock. Frozen foods with their own air fryer instructions should follow the package instead of a conversion.
Assumptions and limits
- The 25 degree F and 20% reductions are example rules of thumb, not a standard or tested figures. Edit them to suit your air fryer.
- Your air fryer reaches the temperature entered. Check the maximum for your model.
- Batter, breading, thick cuts and large quantities may need more adjustment than the rule gives.
- The converted time is a starting point, not a guaranteed doneness.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert an oven recipe to an air fryer?
Lower the temperature by about 25 degrees F, shorten the time by about 20%, and check the food early. Adjust both next time based on how it turned out.
Do I need to preheat an air fryer?
Many models cook well without it, but a short preheat can improve browning on some foods. Follow the guidance for your model and note what works for you.
What is 400 F in an air fryer?
With the default reductions it becomes 375 F, and a 30 minute oven time becomes about 24 minutes. The tool shows the same numbers in Celsius.
Why is my food overcooked in the air fryer?
Air fryers vary, and small baskets cook fast. Lower the temperature or time further, check earlier and avoid overcrowding. Then update the reductions to match.