Almost any oven recipe works in an air fryer — you just need to adjust. Because the fan moves hot air faster, food cooks quicker and at a lower setting. Here's the one rule to remember, with a chart to make it instant.
Key takeaways
Q: How do you convert an oven recipe to an air fryer?
A: Drop the temperature by about 20°C (25°F) and cut the time by roughly 20%, then check a few minutes early.
Q: What is 180°C fan oven in an air fryer?
A: About 160°C in the air fryer — the fan does the rest. Most foods are happy in the 160–200°C band.
The conversion rule
Two small adjustments cover almost everything: lower the temperature by 20°C and shorten the time by about a fifth. The air fryer's smaller, fan-driven space heats food faster and browns it harder, so the same oven setting would overcook. Always check early the first time you convert a dish, then note the timing for next time.
Temperature chart
| Oven (°C) | Air fryer (°C) | °F |
|---|---|---|
| 160 | 140 | 285 |
| 180 | 160 | 320 |
| 200 | 180 | 360 |
| 220 | 200 | 400 |
Gas mark chart
| Gas mark | Oven (°C) | Air fryer (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 180 | 160 |
| 5 | 190 | 170 |
| 6 | 200 | 180 |
| 7 | 220 | 200 |
For ready-worked timings on the foods you cook most, keep our air fryer cooking times chart to hand, and see whether the air fryer or oven is the better tool in our air fryer vs oven guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is 200°C oven in an air fryer?
About 180°C. Lower the oven temperature by roughly 20°C for the air fryer, since the fan cooks faster.
Do you reduce cooking time in an air fryer?
Yes — cut the oven time by about 20% and check early. Most foods finish noticeably faster than in a conventional oven.
Does every oven recipe work in an air fryer?
Most do, especially roasted, baked and crisped foods. Very wet dishes or large bakes that need a big, stable space are the main exceptions.