Air fryer conversion calculator

Oven to air fryer at a glance

Common oven settings and their air fryer equivalents:

• Oven 350F, 30 min becomes air fryer 325F, 24 min
• Oven 375F, 25 min becomes air fryer 350F, 20 min
• Oven 400F, 20 min becomes air fryer 375F, 16 min
• Oven 425F, 18 min becomes air fryer 400F, 14 min
• Oven 450F, 15 min becomes air fryer 425F, 12 min
• Temperature: lower by about 25F or 15C
• Time: cut by about 20 percent
• Always check a few minutes early the first time

How the conversion works

An air fryer is a compact convection oven with a strong fan. The moving air transfers heat to the food faster than the still air of a standard oven, so the same browning happens at a lower dial setting and in less time.

The standard rule is to drop the temperature by 25F (about 15C) and cut the time by roughly 20 percent. The calculator applies both at once. The temperature drop keeps the outside from burning before the inside cooks; the shorter time reflects the faster heat transfer.

Why you should still check early

Air fryers vary a lot. A small 2-quart model and a large 6-quart model do not behave the same, and basket models differ from oven-style ones. The 25F and 20 percent rule gets you close, but the first time you make a dish, check it about 5 minutes before the calculated time.

Food size and load matter too. A single chicken breast converts cleanly. A basket crowded with fries needs shaking partway through and may need the full time or a little more, because crowding blocks the airflow that makes an air fryer work.

For anything with a food-safety temperature, like chicken or fish, use a thermometer. Chicken is done at 165F (74C) regardless of what the timer says.

Air fryer vs convection oven

If your oven already has a convection or fan setting, it is doing the same thing as an air fryer, just in a bigger space. A recipe written for a convection oven needs little or no change in an air fryer. A recipe written for a regular, non-convection oven is the one this calculator is for.

Common air fryer conversion mistakes

• Keeping the oven temperature the same. Air fryer heat is more aggressive; the outside burns before the inside is done if you do not lower it.
• Overcrowding the basket. Air fryers cook by moving air. A packed basket blocks the airflow, and you get pale, steamed food instead of crisp.
• Skipping the early check. The first time you convert a dish, the rule is a starting point; verify with your eyes and a thermometer.
• Converting a recipe that was already written for convection. Those need little change; doubling the adjustment overcooks the food.

FAQ

How do I convert an oven recipe to an air fryer?

Lower the oven temperature by about 25F (15C) and cut the cooking time by about 20 percent. Then check the food a few minutes early, because air fryers run hot.

Do I lower the temperature, the time, or both?

Both. Drop the temperature by about 25F and cut the time by about 20 percent. The calculator above does both at once.

Why does an air fryer cook faster?

An air fryer is a small convection oven. A strong fan moves hot air over the food, transferring heat faster than the still air of a regular oven.

Is air fryer temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius?

Most US air fryers use Fahrenheit; many others use Celsius. The calculator handles both. The temperature drop is about 25F or 15C.

Can I convert a convection oven recipe to an air fryer?

Yes, and it needs almost no change. A convection oven and an air fryer cook the same way. The 25F and 20 percent rule is for recipes written for a regular, non-convection oven.

Related tools and guides

• Fahrenheit to Celsius oven converter
• Convection oven: lower 25 degrees
• Slow cooker to oven converter
• Recipe scaler
• All calculators

Where the conversion rule comes from

The 25F drop and 20 percent time cut is the widely used air fryer conversion standard, the same adjustment recommended for convection ovens. It reflects the faster, more even heat transfer of moving hot air. Individual models vary, which is why every reliable source pairs the rule with the advice to check the food early.