Air Fryer Conversion Calculator
Enter the oven temperature and time from any recipe to get the air fryer setting, cook time, when to shake or flip, and the internal temperature that tells you it's done. Works in °F and °C.
Last updated:
In the unit chosen above.
25°F ≈ 14°C. Use 0–15°F if the recipe was written for a convection oven.
20% is the usual rule; 10% for convection-oven recipes.
How to use the Air Fryer Conversion Calculator
- Pick the food you're cooking, or leave "Any recipe" for the general rule.
- Enter the oven temperature and time from your recipe, in °F or °C.
- Adjust the rule if needed: use a smaller reduction for recipes written for a convection oven.
- Press Convert to air fryer to get the temperature, time, flip reminders and doneness target.
- Follow the timeline and check early with a thermometer; add time in 2–3 minute steps.
The oven to air fryer conversion rule
An air fryer is a compact convection oven. Its fan moves hot air quickly around a small basket, so food cooks and browns faster than in a regular oven. To adapt a recipe, most cooks use the same two-part rule:
- Temperature: air fryer °F = oven °F − 25 (about 14°C lower).
- Time: air fryer minutes = oven minutes × 0.8 (20% shorter).
Example: frozen spring rolls baked at 400°F for 20 minutes become 375°F for about 16 minutes. Treat the result as a starting point: basket size, how full it is and the wattage of your model all change the real time, so check at about 80% of the converted time.
Oven to air fryer temperature chart
Values use the 25°F rule and are rounded to the nearest 5° for the dial.
| Oven | Air fryer | Oven | Air fryer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 325°F | 300°F | 160°C | 145°C |
| 350°F | 325°F | 180°C | 165°C |
| 375°F | 350°F | 190°C | 175°C |
| 400°F | 375°F | 200°C | 185°C |
| 425°F | 400°F | 220°C | 205°C |
| 450°F | 425°F* | 230°C | 215°C* |
* Above the 400°F / 200°C maximum of many basket air fryers. Use your highest setting and check the time.
Safe internal temperatures
Air fryers brown the outside quickly, so color alone can fool you. These are the USDA safe minimum internal temperatures, measured in the thickest part:
| Food | Minimum internal temperature |
|---|---|
| Chicken, turkey and other poultry (whole, pieces, ground) | 165°F (74°C) |
| Ground beef, pork, veal and lamb (burgers, meatballs) | 160°F (71°C) |
| Beef, pork, veal and lamb steaks, chops and roasts | 145°F (63°C) + 3-minute rest |
| Fish and shellfish | 145°F (63°C) |
| Leftovers and casseroles | 165°F (74°C) |
Tips for better air fryer results
- Don't crowd the basket. Food in a single layer with gaps crisps evenly; cook in batches if needed.
- Shake or flip halfway. Small pieces (fries, veg, nuggets) need shaking; larger pieces (chicken, chops, burgers) need flipping.
- Use a little oil. A light spray or toss with oil helps browning on fresh vegetables and breaded foods.
- Baked goods: use a pan that leaves space for airflow and cover loosely with foil if the top browns before the center sets.
- Batches cook faster. A second batch in an already hot air fryer often needs a minute or two less.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert oven time and temperature to an air fryer?
The common rule is to lower the oven temperature by 25°F (about 14°C) and cut the cooking time by about 20%. A recipe for 425°F for 30 minutes becomes 400°F for about 24 minutes. Start checking a few minutes early because air fryers vary.
Why does an air fryer need a lower temperature?
An air fryer is a small convection oven: a powerful fan blows hot air over food in a small space, so heat transfers faster and the outside browns sooner. Lowering the temperature keeps the outside from overbrowning before the inside is cooked.
What if the recipe is already for a convection oven?
Convection recipes already account for the fan, so make a smaller change: keep the temperature the same or lower it by up to 15°F, and reduce the time by about 10%, then check early.
What is 200°C in an air fryer?
Using the 25°F rule, an oven temperature of 200°C (392°F) becomes about 367°F, which rounds to 365–370°F or 185°C on the air fryer dial.
How do I know when air-fried food is done?
Use a food thermometer for meat: USDA safe minimum internal temperatures are 165°F (74°C) for poultry, 160°F (71°C) for ground beef and pork, and 145°F (63°C) for whole cuts of beef, pork and lamb (with a 3-minute rest) and for fish. Leftovers should be reheated to 165°F.
Should I preheat my air fryer?
Many models heat up in 2–5 minutes and some recipes skip preheating. Preheating gives more predictable timing and better browning, especially for frozen foods and meat. Check your appliance manual.
Can I cook frozen food in the air fryer straight from the package?
Yes. Frozen fries, nuggets and snacks work well. Use the oven directions on the package with this calculator, spread the food in one layer and shake the basket every 5 minutes.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.