Air Fryer Temperature and Time Conversion Guide

You just got an air fryer and every recipe you want to try was written for a conventional oven. The conversion is straightforward: subtract 25°F from the oven temperature and reduce the cooking time by 20%. That single rule covers the vast majority of recipes and the reasoning behind it is simple.

Why do air fryers cook faster than ovens?

A conventional oven heats a large box of air and relies on natural convection to move heat around. An air fryer is a compact convection oven with a powerful fan that pushes hot air directly over the food at high speed. That forced circulation transfers heat more efficiently, so you need less temperature and less time to reach the same result. The smaller cooking chamber also means the air fryer gets up to temperature faster and maintains it more consistently. This is also why air fried food often comes out crispier than oven-baked food - the rapid air movement wicks moisture off the surface faster.

For any oven temperature and time combination, use the oven to air fryer calculator to get the exact conversion instantly.

Oven to air fryer temperature chart

If you're wondering what is 400°F in an air fryer or what temperature to set for a 350°F recipe, this table covers the most common conversions. All times assume a standard 30-minute oven recipe - scale proportionally for longer or shorter cook times.

What can you cook in an air fryer?

• Chicken wings and thighs - The circulating air renders the skin crispy without deep frying. Bone-in pieces at 375°F for 20-25 minutes come out excellent.
• French fries and potato wedges - Toss in a light coat of oil and they get genuinely crispy. Shake the basket halfway through.
• Roasted vegetables - Broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower get charred edges in about 10-12 minutes at 375°F.
• Reheating leftovers - Pizza, fried chicken and anything that goes soggy in a microwave comes back crispy. Use 325°F for 3-5 minutes.
• Frozen foods - Fish sticks, nuggets and frozen fries were designed for this. Follow package directions but drop the temp 25°F.

What should you not put in an air fryer?

• Wet batters - Beer-battered fish or tempura will drip through the basket before it sets. Stick to dry coatings like breadcrumbs or seasoned flour.
• Large roasts - A whole chicken can work if your air fryer is big enough, but anything that fills more than two-thirds of the basket won't cook evenly.
• Delicate baked goods - The strong fan can blow lightweight batters around. Muffins and small cakes are fine, but anything in an open pan may develop an uneven top.
• Cheese-topped dishes - Loose shredded cheese gets blown off by the fan. Press it down firmly or cover with foil for the first few minutes.

Do I need to preheat my air fryer?

Technically no, but 2-3 minutes of preheating gives better results. Starting with a hot basket gives a better sear on meats and crispier coatings from the first minute. Most air fryers reach temperature in under 3 minutes anyway, so it's worth the short wait.

Why is my air fryer food not crispy?

The most common reason is overcrowding the basket. Air needs to circulate freely around each piece - a single layer with some space between items is the key to getting that crispy finish. A few other things that help:

• Shake or flip halfway through - Most foods benefit from being turned once during cooking for even browning on all sides.
• Use a light spray of oil - Even on foods that seem dry enough, a thin coat of oil dramatically improves browning and crunch.
• Pat food dry first - Surface moisture steams instead of crisping. Dry your chicken, vegetables or potatoes with a paper towel before they go in.
• Check 3-5 minutes early - Every air fryer is slightly different. The 25°F / 20% rule is a reliable starting point, but check your food a few minutes before the calculated time until you know your machine.

For precise conversions at any temperature and time, the oven to air fryer calculator does the math instantly.