Oven to air fryer converter
Enter the oven temperature and time from your recipe. You'll get a starting air fryer setting and when to first check.
How the conversion works
An air fryer moves hot air faster and keeps food closer to the heating element than a full-size oven. Food browns sooner, so the usual starting point is to lower the temperature by about 15°C (25°F) and cut the time by about 20%. The converter applies both, then suggests a first check at three-quarters of the new time.
Example: a recipe that says 200°C for 30 minutes becomes 185°C for 24 minutes, with a first check at 18 minutes. Most air fryers top out around 200–205°C (400°F), so very hot oven recipes use the fryer's maximum instead.
Worked examples
These use the same rule as the converter above: 15°C or 25°F cooler, 20% less time, capped at the usual 205°C / 400°F air fryer maximum.
| Oven recipe | Air fryer start | First check |
|---|
When to trust it, and when not to
| Recipe type | How well it converts |
|---|---|
| Roasted vegetables, potatoes, chicken pieces | Very well. Shake halfway. |
| Breaded or frozen foods | Very well. Check the bag first, many list air fryer times. |
| Cookies, muffins, small cakes | Fair. Use a pan that fits with space around it, and watch the tops, which can brown before the middle sets. |
| Wet batters (tempura, pancake batter) | Poorly. The fan blows wet batter around. Use a dry breading instead. |
| Large roasts and whole birds | Only if they fit with space around them. Go by internal temperature, not time. |
| Casseroles and deep dishes | Fair. Cover with foil for the first half so the top doesn't burn. |
Tips for converted recipes
- Halve the batch if your oven recipe fills a full sheet pan. Air fryer baskets hold far less, and crowding adds time.
- Use less oil. A teaspoon or a light spray is usually enough for crisping.
- Check early, then add time. You can always cook longer; you can't un-burn the top.
- Write it down. Save your final time and temperature in My Cooking Notes so the second batch is right first time.
Common questions
Does this work for convection oven recipes?
Convection oven recipes are already adjusted for a fan, so reduce less: try about 10°C (15°F) lower and 10% less time, and check early.
Why not just use the same settings as the oven?
You can, but the outside usually browns or dries before the inside is ready, especially for thick foods.
How do I convert a frozen-food oven time?
Check the bag first, since many brands now print air fryer directions. If not, use the converter with the package's oven settings, shake halfway, and check a few minutes early. Frozen foods are pre-cooked or coated, so they tolerate small adjustments well.
Can I use oven-safe dishes in the basket?
Yes, if they fit with at least a finger's width of space around the sides so air can flow. Metal and glass bakeware work; check your manual for silicone and the maximum dish size.
Is the time exact?
No converter can be exact, because fryer power and basket size vary. Treat the result as a starting point and use a thermometer for meat.
Reviewed October 2026. Sources