Air Fryer Conversion Calculator

Turn any oven recipe into air fryer settings — lower temperature, shorter time, same result.

By Jamal, EasyCalcHub · Last updated July 2026

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How to use: enter the temperature and time your recipe gives for a conventional oven. The calculator applies the standard air fryer adjustment and caps the result at your model's maximum temperature.

Oven temperature (°F)

Oven time (minutes)

Your air fryer's maximum temperature

375°F

air fryer temperature

for 24 minutes

Note: these are estimated starting points, not exact instructions. Air fryers vary widely by model, wattage and basket size, and results change with how full the basket is and how thick the food is. Always check that food is properly cooked before eating — for meat, poultry, fish and egg dishes, use a food thermometer and the safe temperatures in the chart below. Check food a few minutes early the first time you convert a recipe.

Quick answer

To convert an oven recipe for an air fryer, reduce the temperature by about 25 °F (15 °C) and the cooking time by about 20%. A recipe calling for 400 °F for 30 minutes becomes roughly 375 °F for 24 minutes. Air fryers circulate hot air in a small chamber, so food cooks faster and browns sooner — check early and confirm doneness with a thermometer.

Safe internal temperatures (USDA)

Minimum safe internal temperatures published by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Measure in the thickest part of the food, away from bone, fat or gristle. Colour is not a reliable indicator of doneness.
Food	Safe minimum	Notes
All poultry — chicken, turkey, duck (whole, pieces or ground)	165 °F / 74 °C	No exceptions for poultry
Ground meats — beef, pork, lamb, veal	160 °F / 71 °C	Burgers included
Beef, pork, lamb, veal — steaks, chops, roasts	145 °F / 63 °C	Rest 3 minutes before cutting
Fish and shellfish	145 °F / 63 °C	Flesh should be opaque
Egg dishes	160 °F / 71 °C	Cook eggs until yolk and white are firm
Leftovers and casseroles	165 °F / 74 °C	Reheat thoroughly throughout

Source: USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service — Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart. A food thermometer is the only reliable way to confirm these temperatures — USDA research shows the colour of meat and its juices does not indicate whether it is safely cooked.

Air fryer settings for common foods

Typical starting points from common oven instructions. Shake or turn food halfway through, and cook in a single layer so air can circulate. Always confirm doneness before serving.
Food	Oven	Air fryer (start with)
Frozen fries / chips	425 °F · 25 min	400 °F · 18–20 min
Chicken wings	400 °F · 40 min	375 °F · 25–30 min
Chicken breast (boneless)	400 °F · 25 min	375 °F · 18–20 min
Frozen nuggets	400 °F · 20 min	375 °F · 10–12 min
Salmon fillet	400 °F · 15 min	375 °F · 9–12 min
Roast vegetables	425 °F · 30 min	400 °F · 15–20 min
Bacon	400 °F · 18 min	375 °F · 8–10 min
Frozen pizza (small)	425 °F · 18 min	400 °F · 8–10 min
Cookies	350 °F · 12 min	325 °F · 7–9 min
Sausages	400 °F · 25 min	375 °F · 12–15 min

How the conversion works

Formula: air fryer temperature = oven temperature − 25 °F (or − 15 °C) · air fryer time = oven time × 0.8 (a 20% reduction).

Worked example: a tray bake at 425 °F for 40 minutes becomes 400 °F for 32 minutes. If the calculated temperature is higher than your air fryer can reach, the calculator caps it at your model's maximum and adds a little time to compensate — roughly 1–2 minutes for every 20 °F of shortfall.

Why air fryers cook faster

An air fryer is a small convection oven. A fan drives hot air rapidly around a compact chamber, so heat reaches the food's surface far more efficiently than in a large oven. That means faster browning and shorter cooking — but also a greater risk of a crisp outside with an undercooked middle, which is why checking the centre matters more here than in oven cooking.

Load the basket properly

Air circulation is the whole mechanism, so crowding the basket defeats it: piled food steams instead of crisping and cooks unevenly. Arrange food in a single layer with space between pieces, cook in batches if needed, and shake or turn halfway through. A full basket also cooks more slowly than a half-full one — one reason times vary from any published figure.

Baking in an air fryer

Cakes, cookies and pastries need extra care: the strong airflow browns the surface quickly while the inside is still setting. Reduce the temperature a little further (about 25 °F below the converted figure), check several minutes early, and expect a darker top than the same recipe gives in an oven.

Preheating

Most air fryers reach temperature in 2–3 minutes. Preheat when you want quick browning or a crisp exterior — chips, wings, anything breaded. For longer bakes and roasts it makes little difference. If your recipe assumed a preheated oven and you skip preheating, add a couple of minutes.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert oven time and temperature to an air fryer?

Reduce the oven temperature by about 25 °F (15 °C) and cut the cooking time by about 20%. A recipe for 400 °F for 30 minutes becomes roughly 375 °F for 24 minutes. Check the food a few minutes early the first time.

What temperature is 350°F in an air fryer?

About 325 °F (roughly 160 °C), with the cooking time reduced by about 20%. So a 350 °F, 20-minute oven recipe becomes about 325 °F for 16 minutes.

Do I need to preheat an air fryer?

Usually only for foods that need quick browning or crisping, such as chips, wings or anything breaded. Most models preheat in 2–3 minutes. For longer roasts and bakes it makes little practical difference.

How do I know the food is actually cooked?

Use a food thermometer in the thickest part. USDA safe minimums are 165 °F for all poultry, 160 °F for ground meats and egg dishes, and 145 °F for whole cuts of beef, pork, lamb and for fish. Colour is not a reliable guide.

Why is my food cooked outside but raw inside?

This is the classic air fryer problem: strong airflow browns the surface before the centre is done. Lower the temperature by another 25 °F and cook a little longer, avoid overcrowding the basket, and cut thick items into more even pieces.

Can I use foil or parchment in an air fryer?

Generally yes, provided it is weighed down by food and does not block the airflow or touch the heating element. Never preheat with loose paper or foil in the basket, and follow your model's manual, since designs differ.

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Disclaimer: These conversions are estimates for general home cooking, provided "as is" and without warranty. They are starting points only — cooking times and temperatures vary by air fryer model, wattage, basket size, food thickness and quantity. This page is not food safety advice: always confirm food is thoroughly cooked before eating, follow your appliance manual, and refer to official guidance from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (or your national food safety authority) for safe cooking temperatures. EasyCalcHub is independent and not affiliated with the USDA or any appliance manufacturer. See our full Disclaimer.

Related tools

Also useful in the kitchen: the Oven Temperature Converter (°F, °C, gas mark and fan), the Cups to Grams Converter, and the Recipe Scaler & Pan Converter. Curious what your air fryer costs to run? Try the Electricity Cost Calculator.