Learn how to adapt your favorite recipes for an air fryer by correctly adjusting temperatures and cooking times.

How to Convert Oven Temperatures for an Air Fryer: A Complete Guide

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Why Is Temperature Conversion Important?

Knowing how to convert oven temperatures for an air fryer is essential to getting perfectly cooked dishes — crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Thanks to their compact size and efficient air circulation, air fryers cook food faster and at slightly lower temperatures than conventional ovens. Without proper adjustment, your dishes may end up overcooked, undercooked, or unevenly cooked. This step is particularly crucial for recipes that require precision, such as pastries, roasts, or delicate dishes.

The General Rule: Temperature and Time Adjustments

The most widely accepted rule for converting a conventional oven temperature to an air fryer is as follows: reduce the oven temperature by about 25°F (approximately 14°C) and decrease the cooking time by 20%. Here's a practical example:

If a recipe calls for 400°F (200°C) in the oven for 30 minutes, set your air fryer to about 375°F (186°C) and reduce the time to 24 minutes.

This rule is based on the fact that air fryers cook more efficiently thanks to their rapid hot air circulation, mimicking the effect of deep frying but with far less oil. However, this is a general guideline, and adjustments may vary depending on the type of oven you're converting from and your specific air fryer model.

Special Case: Convection Ovens

Many modern ovens already feature a convection (fan-assisted) setting, which works more similarly to an air fryer. If you're converting from a convection oven, the process differs slightly from a conventional oven:

Conventional oven to air fryer: Reduce the temperature by 25°F (14°C) and the time by 20%.
Convection oven to air fryer: The adjustment may be smaller, since both appliances use convection heat. Some suggest a reduction of about 35°F (20°C), but this varies case by case.

Since both appliances circulate hot air, the difference in efficiency is less pronounced than with a conventional oven. For example, for a recipe at 400°F (200°C) in a convection oven, you could try 356°F (180°C) in the air fryer with a 20% time reduction, then adjust based on results.

How to Calculate the Temperature Conversion

The 25°F reduction is the standard reference point commonly cited across cooking resources. Here's the step-by-step calculation in Celsius:

25°F is equivalent to approximately 13.89°C, often rounded to 14°C for simplicity.
For an oven temperature of 400°F (200°C), subtract 14°C: 200°C - 14°C = 186°C (about 375°F).

Some sources suggest a larger reduction, such as 45°F (25°C) — for example, going from 400°F (200°C) down to 350°F (175°C) — but this can be excessive for most air fryers and may result in undercooking. The 25°F (14°C) reduction remains a more reliable starting point, especially when converting from a conventional oven.

Time Reduction: Why 20% Less?

The 20% reduction in cooking time is a standard recommendation, as air fryers cook faster thanks to their small size and powerful air circulation. For example:

A 30-minute recipe in a conventional oven would take approximately 24 minutes in an air fryer (30 min - 20% = 24 min).

That said, this rule isn't universal. Frozen foods or dense meats may require different adjustments. Always check a few minutes before the end to avoid overcooking, especially on your first attempt.

Practical Examples and Variability

Here are two examples to illustrate the conversion:

Conventional oven recipe: 400°F (200°C) for 30 minutes.
Air fryer conversion: 375°F (186°C) for 24 minutes.
Convection oven recipe: 400°F (200°C) for 30 minutes.
Air fryer conversion: Try 356°F (180°C) for 24 minutes, then adjust based on your appliances.

Note that air fryer performance varies between models. Some cook faster or run hotter, so take the time to get to know your appliance. The type of food also plays a role: pastries often require more precision than roasted vegetables.

Try our Oven to Air Fryer temperature calculator here!

Reference Table for Common Temperatures

For easy reference, here's a conversion table of common conventional oven temperatures to air fryer temperatures, with an example time reduction for a 30-minute oven recipe:

Oven Temperature (°C)	Air Fryer Temperature (°C)	Reduced Time (e.g. 30 min in oven)
150	136	24 minutes
165	151	24 minutes
175	161	24 minutes
190	176	24 minutes
200	186	24 minutes
220	206	24 minutes

If you're using a convection oven, you may want to reduce the temperature by 10 to 15°C instead of 14°C, but this requires testing.

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Practical Tips for Success

Check Your Air Fryer's Manual: Each model may have specific recommendations. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions.
Monitor the Cooking: Check your dishes a few minutes before the end, especially with a new recipe.
Use a Thermometer: For meats or dishes where internal temperature matters, our food thermometer is your best ally.
Experiment: Air fryers vary, so don't hesitate to make small adjustments to find the perfect settings.

Conclusion

Converting oven temperatures for an air fryer isn't rocket science, but it does require a bit of attention. By reducing the temperature by about 25°F (14°C) and the time by 20%, you'll get good results in most cases. If you're converting from a convection oven, the adjustments may be smaller. Keep in mind that every air fryer is unique, so a bit of experimentation is often necessary. With these tips and a little practice, you'll confidently adapt your favorite recipes to your air fryer!

Happy cooking!