Air Fryer Conversion Calculator
Convert oven temperature and time to air fryer settings.
Results update as you type.
How it works
Adapting a conventional oven recipe to an air fryer is easy once you apply the standard adjustments, and this calculator does it for you. You enter the oven temperature and time a recipe calls for, and it returns a suggested air fryer temperature and time. Air fryers are essentially compact convection ovens with a powerful fan that circulates hot air around the food, so heat reaches the surface faster and browning happens more quickly. To compensate, the common guideline is to reduce the temperature by about 25 degrees Fahrenheit and shorten the cooking time to roughly 80 percent of the original. This keeps food from burning on the outside while the inside catches up. The calculator gives a sensible starting point, but air fryers vary in wattage and basket size, so you should still check food a few minutes early the first time you make a dish and adjust to your particular machine. Shaking or flipping food partway through helps it cook evenly. Home cooks use this conversion to turn oven recipes into faster, crispier air fryer versions without guesswork. Enter the oven temperature and time to get your air fryer settings.
air fryer temp = oven temp − 25 °F; air fryer time ≈ oven time × 0.8
Air fryers cook with rapidly circulating hot air that transfers heat faster than a conventional oven, so recipes need a lower temperature and shorter time. The widely used guideline lowers the temperature by about 25 degrees Fahrenheit and cuts the cooking time to roughly 80 percent of the oven time. These adjustments prevent the outside from over-browning before the inside is cooked through.
Source:Standard air fryer conversion guideline
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter oven temperature and oven time.
- 2
Adjust the options
Fine-tune any options to match your situation.
- 3
Read your result
Air fryer temperature updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert oven settings to an air fryer?
Lower the temperature by about 25 degrees Fahrenheit and reduce the cooking time to roughly 80 percent of the oven time. So a dish baked at 400 degrees for 20 minutes would cook at about 375 degrees for 16 minutes in an air fryer. The calculator applies both adjustments automatically to give you a reliable starting point for the conversion.
Why does the air fryer need a lower temperature?
An air fryer's fan circulates hot air much more aggressively than a standard oven, transferring heat to the food's surface faster. Without lowering the temperature, the outside can brown or burn before the inside is done. Dropping the setting by around 25 degrees compensates for this stronger convection and produces even cooking with the crispy exterior air fryers are known for.
Should I still check the food early?
Yes. Air fryers vary widely in power and capacity, so the conversion is a guideline, not an exact rule. The first time you make a dish, check it a few minutes before the calculated time is up and use a thermometer for meats. Once you learn how your specific model behaves, you can fine-tune times and temperatures with confidence.
Do I need to preheat an air fryer?
Many air fryers benefit from a short preheat of two to three minutes, though some models heat quickly enough to skip it. Preheating helps foods crisp from the start, much like a hot oven. Check your manufacturer's guidance. The time conversion here assumes cooking time; add preheating separately if your machine and recipe call for it.
Does the conversion work for all foods?
It works well for most foods that roast or bake, such as vegetables, chicken, fish, and frozen items. Very wet batters, large cakes, and dishes with lots of liquid can behave differently in an air fryer's fast airflow and small basket, so those may need more tailored recipes. Use the conversion as a strong starting point and adjust for tricky dishes.