About the Air Fryer Conversion Calculator
This air fryer conversion calculator translates a conventional oven recipe into air fryer settings. Enter the oven temperature and cooking time from the recipe and it gives you the lower air fryer temperature, the shorter cooking time and the point at which you should shake the basket or check for doneness.
An air fryer is essentially a small, powerful convection oven: a fan blows hot air around food in a compact basket, so heat reaches the surface faster than in a full-size oven. The widely used rule of thumb is to lower the temperature by about 25°F (roughly 15°C) and cut the time by about 20%. The calculator applies that rule, rounds the temperature to the nearest 5 degrees so it matches the dial, and caps it at 400°F / 200°C, the maximum on most home air fryers.
Use it for frozen foods, roasted vegetables, chicken pieces, reheating leftovers or small bakes. Because models differ in power and basket size, treat the result as a starting point: check early, cook in a single layer, and always confirm meat with a thermometer.
With the default inputs, the air fryer temperature is 375 °. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the air fryer conversion calculator
- 1Enter the oven temperature from your recipe and choose °F or °C.
- 2Enter the oven cooking time in minutes.
- 3Keep the 20% time reduction, or adjust it for very thin or very dense foods.
- 4Preheat the air fryer to the suggested temperature and cook in a single layer.
- 5Shake or flip at the halfway mark and check doneness a few minutes early.
Formula and method
Air fryers move hot air faster and sit much closer to the food than a conventional oven, so food browns and cooks through sooner. The standard conversion lowers the temperature by 25°F — the same adjustment used for convection ovens — and shortens the cooking time by about 20%. In Celsius the 25°F drop is 13.9°C, and the result is rounded to the nearest 5 degrees to match air fryer dials.
The temperature is capped at 400°F (200°C) because that is the maximum on most home models. The shake-or-flip point is half of the converted time. These are starting points: thickness, starting temperature (frozen vs chilled) and basket load all change the true time, so check food early and use a thermometer for meat.
- T
- Oven recipe temperature
- t
- Oven recipe time in minutes
- r
- Time reduction percentage (default 20%)
Worked examples
Frozen fries: 425°F for 25 minutes
Lowering 425°F by 25°F gives 400°F, which is also the usual air fryer maximum. Cutting 25 minutes by 20% leaves 20 minutes, so shake the basket at 10 minutes. 400°F is about 204°C.
Roast chicken thighs: 200°C for 40 minutes
200°C minus 13.9°C is 186.1°C, which rounds to 185°C (365°F). Forty minutes reduced by 20% is 32 minutes, turning the thighs at 16 minutes. Confirm they reach 74°C (165°F) inside.
Roasted vegetables: 400°F for 35 minutes, 25% shorter
At 400°F the air fryer setting is 375°F. With a 25% reduction for small, cut vegetables, 35 minutes becomes about 26 minutes, saving almost 9 minutes compared with the oven.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert oven time to air fryer time?+
Reduce the oven time by about 20% and lower the temperature by 25°F (about 15°C). A recipe that bakes for 30 minutes at 400°F becomes roughly 24 minutes at 375°F in an air fryer. Check a few minutes early.
Do I need to preheat an air fryer?+
Most manufacturers recommend a 3–5 minute preheat for crisp results, especially for breaded or frozen foods. The converted times assume a preheated basket; add a couple of minutes if you start cold.
Why is the air fryer temperature lower than the oven?+
A fan circulates hot air rapidly around food in a small chamber, which transfers heat faster than still oven air. Lowering the temperature stops the outside from browning or burning before the inside is cooked.
Can I bake cakes in an air fryer?+
Yes, in a pan that fits the basket. Dense bakes need a smaller time reduction (10–15%) and sometimes foil on top to stop over-browning. Test with a skewer before removing.
What is the maximum temperature of an air fryer?+
Most home air fryers top out at 400°F or about 200°C, a few reach 450°F. If a recipe calls for a hotter oven, cook at your fryer’s maximum and allow a little extra time.