Air Fryer Conversion Calculator
Turn an oven recipe’s temperature and time into air-fryer settings.
An air fryer is a small, fast convection oven: the moving air cooks faster and browns harder.
How the air fryer conversion calculator works
An air fryer is a small, fast convection oven: the moving air cooks faster and browns harder. The usual conversion is to drop the temperature by about 20 °C (25 °F) and cut the time by 20%, then check a few minutes early — small baskets and thin food cook faster still. Shake or turn halfway.
Formula: air-fryer temperature = oven − 20 °C (25 °F); time = oven time × 0.8
Worked examples
| Inputs | Air-fryer time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 200 °C for 30 minutes | 24 min | 180 °C, 24 min |
| 400 °F for 45 minutes | 36 min | 375 °F, 36 min |
| A slow 160 °C bake, 60 minutes | 48 min | 140 °C, 48 min |
FAQFrequently asked questions
Do I need to preheat an air fryer?
Most cook fine from cold, but three minutes of preheating gives crisper results and makes timings more predictable. If you preheat, use the calculated time as given.
Why is the temperature lower?
The fan drives hot air over the food far faster than a conventional oven, so the surface browns and dries at a lower setting; at oven temperature it would burn outside before cooking inside.
What should I not convert?
Batters, loose crumb coatings and very wet foods blow around or drip, and big roasts or whole birds may not fit or cook evenly. Anything that would go on a baking tray with space around it converts well.
Why check early?
Air fryers vary a lot in size and power, and a full basket cooks slower than a half one. Checking at about 85% of the time and shaking halfway avoids overcooking.
Where these figures come from
- US FDA — Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures — the internal temperatures the roasting calculator targets
- NIST SP 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units — the exact weight and volume conversions used throughout
- US Food and Drug Administration — food safety and labelling standards
Last checked: September 2026. Baking ratios follow standard baker's percentage practice; roasting guidance follows published safe internal temperatures.