Converting an oven recipe for the air fryer is easy once you know the rule of thumb: drop the temperature a little and check earlier. Here's the simple chart.
Key takeaways
Q: How do you convert oven temperature to air fryer?
A: Lower the oven temperature by about 20°C (about 25°F) and cut the time by roughly 20%, then check early.
Q: Why lower it?
A: The air fryer's fast airflow cooks more efficiently than a still oven.
The simple rule
Because an air fryer moves hot air so efficiently, it cooks faster and more intensely than a conventional oven. The reliable rule: reduce the temperature by about 20°C (25°F) and reduce the cooking time by around 20%. Then check early the first time, since every model differs.
Conversion chart
| Oven (°C) | Air fryer (°C) | Air fryer (°F) | Gas mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160°C | 140°C | 285°F | 3 |
| 180°C | 160°C | 320°F | 4 |
| 190°C | 170°C | 340°F | 5 |
| 200°C | 180°C | 360°F | 6 |
| 220°C | 200°C | 400°F | 7 |
Reduce cooking time by roughly 20% as well, and check early.
For per-food timings, see the air fryer cooking times chart.
Frequently asked questions
How do you convert oven temperature to an air fryer?
Lower the oven temperature by about 20°C (around 25°F) and reduce the cooking time by roughly 20%, then check the food early since models vary.
Why do you lower the temperature for an air fryer?
Its fast-moving hot air cooks more efficiently and intensely than a still oven, so the same oven temperature would cook food too quickly or burn the outside.
Do you also reduce the cooking time?
Yes — alongside the lower temperature, cut the time by around 20% and check early, as the air fryer cooks faster than a conventional oven.