At One Place

Oven to air fryer conversion

The rule
Drop 20 °C (about 25–30 °F), cut the time by a fifth

An air fryer is a small convection oven with a fan that is very powerful for the size of the cavity. That is the whole difference, and it is why the same food cooks cooler and faster. The rule of thumb works for most things and fails predictably for a few — thin items barely change, thick joints change a lot, and anything close to the element burns on top before the middle is done.

Safe internal temperatures

USDA FSIS minimums. Times are for planning; these decide whether food is done.
Food °C °F Note
Poultry, whole or ground 74 165 —
Ground meat (beef, pork, lamb) 71 160 —
Beef, pork, lamb and veal — steaks, chops, roasts 63 145 Plus a 3-minute rest.
Fish and shellfish 63 145 —
Egg dishes 71 160 —
Leftovers and casseroles 74 165 —
Ham, fully cooked, reheated 60 140 —

Chicken and poultry

Food Air fryer Time Oven equivalent
chicken breast 180 °C / 356 °F 14–20 min 200 °C, 20–30 min
chicken wings 200 °C / 392 °F 22–28 min 220 °C, 40–50 min
chicken thighs 180 °C / 356 °F 22–28 min 200 °C, 35–45 min
a whole chicken 170 °C / 338 °F 50–65 min 190 °C, 75–95 min

Frozen food

Food Air fryer Time Oven equivalent
frozen chips 200 °C / 392 °F 12–18 min 220 °C, 20–25 min
frozen chicken nuggets 190 °C / 374 °F 8–12 min 200 °C, 15–20 min
frozen pizza 180 °C / 356 °F 6–10 min 220 °C, 12–18 min
frozen fish fingers 200 °C / 392 °F 8–11 min 220 °C, 15–20 min
frozen spring rolls 190 °C / 374 °F 8–12 min 200 °C, 20–25 min

Breakfast

Food Air fryer Time Oven equivalent
bacon 180 °C / 356 °F 7–11 min 200 °C, 15–20 min
eggs 130 °C / 266 °F 10–16 min —
toast 200 °C / 392 °F 3–5 min 220 °C, 5–8 min

Meat

Food Air fryer Time Oven equivalent
burgers 180 °C / 356 °F 10–15 min 200 °C, 20–25 min
steak 200 °C / 392 °F 8–14 min 220 °C, 12–20 min
sausages 180 °C / 356 °F 12–16 min 200 °C, 25–30 min
pork chops 180 °C / 356 °F 12–18 min 200 °C, 20–30 min

Fish

Food Air fryer Time Oven equivalent
salmon fillet 180 °C / 356 °F 7–11 min 200 °C, 12–18 min

Potatoes

Food Air fryer Time Oven equivalent
a jacket potato 190 °C / 374 °F 35–50 min 200 °C, 60–90 min
homemade chips 190 °C / 374 °F 18–25 min 220 °C, 35–45 min
roast potatoes 200 °C / 392 °F 25–35 min 220 °C, 45–60 min

Vegetables

Food Air fryer Time Oven equivalent
broccoli 190 °C / 374 °F 7–10 min 200 °C, 20–25 min
mixed vegetables 190 °C / 374 °F 12–18 min 200 °C, 25–35 min
brussels sprouts 190 °C / 374 °F 12–16 min 200 °C, 25–35 min

Baking

Food Air fryer Time Oven equivalent
cookies 160 °C / 320 °F 6–9 min 180 °C, 10–14 min

Snacks and reheating

Food Air fryer Time Oven equivalent
leftover pizza 160 °C / 320 °F 3–5 min 180 °C, 8–12 min
halloumi 190 °C / 374 °F 6–9 min 200 °C, 15–20 min

Common questions

How do you convert oven temperature to air fryer?
Drop the temperature by about 20 °C (25–30 °F) and cut the time by roughly a fifth. Check early the first time — wattage varies widely between models.
Do you need to preheat an air fryer?
For most foods, no — the cavity is small enough to come up to temperature in a couple of minutes with the food already in. It helps for anything you want to sear or crisp, such as wings, chips or steak.
Why is my air fryer food not crispy?
Almost always overcrowding. A full basket traps moisture and the food steams instead of browning. Fill it no more than half full and cook in batches.
Can you put foil or parchment in an air fryer?
Yes, but it must be weighted down by food. Loose paper or foil gets pulled into the heating element by the fan, which is a fire risk. Never preheat with empty parchment in the basket.

Sources

  1. Food Safety and Inspection Service — US Department of Agriculture (Public domain (US Government))
  2. Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place

How these figures are compiled and checked