Air Fryer Conversion Calculator

Convert conventional oven temperature and time to air-fryer settings.

Air fryer temperature

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Air fryer time

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Temperature drop

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Check from

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Time saved

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A starting point — air fryers vary and cook quickly. Check early, shake or turn the food, and adjust to your model.

Two simple adjustments

An air fryer is essentially a compact, powerful convection oven. Converting a conventional recipe comes down to two tweaks: lower the temperature a little, and shorten the time.

temp − 20°C (25°F)　·　time × 0.8

The fast-moving hot air transfers heat efficiently, so the same setting would otherwise overcook the surface. Because models differ widely, treat the result as a first attempt and check the food before the timer ends.

Worked example

A dish for a 200°C oven over 25 minutes becomes about 180°C for roughly 20 minutes in an air fryer — lower the temperature by around 20°C and cut the time by about a fifth, then check early.

Getting crisp, even results

Air fryers reward a little attention. Don’t overcrowd the basket — air needs room to circulate — and shake or turn partway through. Once you’ve converted a favourite recipe, jot down the settings that worked; your model’s sweet spot will be consistent.

Quick tips

Check early. The first time, look a few minutes before the estimate.
Single layer. Crowding steams rather than crisps.
Note what works. Build your own conversions from there.

Frequently asked questions

Why lower the temperature?

An air fryer circulates hot air rapidly, cooking more efficiently than a conventional oven. Dropping the temperature by about 20°C (25°F) prevents the outside browning before the inside is done.

How much less time?

Roughly 20% less is a good starting point, but air fryers vary and cook fast, so check a few minutes early the first time and note what works for next time.

Do I need to preheat?

Many models benefit from a short preheat, especially for crisp results. Check your manual — some recommend it, others heat quickly enough to skip it.

Should I shake or turn the food?

Yes, for even cooking. Shaking the basket or turning items partway through helps everything crisp up uniformly in the moving air.