How to Use This Air Fryer Converter
Converting oven recipes for your air fryer is simple with our calculator. Here's how to get perfect results every time:
- Select your food type from the dropdown menu. The calculator includes over 35 common foods organized by category—poultry, beef, pork, seafood, vegetables, frozen foods, and more. When you select a food, the oven temperature and time fields automatically fill with typical values for that item.
- Adjust the settings if needed. If your recipe uses different temperature or time than the defaults, simply update the fields. The auto-filled values are starting points based on standard oven recipes.
- Toggle temperature units if you prefer Celsius. Click the switch to convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius. The calculator handles all conversions automatically.
- Click "Convert to Air Fryer" to get your results. The calculator applies the appropriate conversion formula based on your food type—standard foods, frozen foods, and delicate items each use slightly different adjustments.
- Review the tip that appears with your results. Each food includes a specific cooking tip to help you achieve the best outcome. These tips cover techniques like flipping, shaking the basket, checking doneness, and more.
Remember that air fryer models vary in heating efficiency, so treat results as a starting point. Check your food a few minutes early the first time you try a new recipe, and adjust for future cooks based on your specific air fryer's performance.
How Oven to Air Fryer Conversion Works
Air fryers are essentially compact convection ovens. Unlike conventional ovens that heat from the top or bottom, air fryers use a powerful fan to rapidly circulate hot air around your food from all directions. This convection effect creates the same browning and crisping you'd get from deep frying, but with a fraction of the oil.
Because hot air is moving directly across every surface of your food, air fryers cook faster and more efficiently than conventional ovens. This is why you need to reduce both temperature and time when converting oven recipes. The general rule is:
- Reduce temperature by 25°F (about 15°C)
- Reduce cooking time by 20%
However, not all foods follow this exact formula. Our calculator adjusts for different food types:
Frozen foods (like frozen fries, nuggets, and pizza rolls) use a 10% time reduction instead of 20%. Frozen foods need extra time for the ice to melt and the food to cook through from its cold starting temperature. Reducing time too much risks serving food that's hot on the outside but still cold inside.
Delicate foods (like fish, shrimp, and cookies) use a smaller temperature reduction of 20°F and a larger time reduction of 25%. These items dry out quickly in the intense, direct heat of an air fryer. Cooking at a slightly higher relative temperature for less time helps them stay moist while still achieving proper doneness.
Other factors that affect cooking time include food thickness (thicker pieces need more time), how full your basket is (overcrowding blocks airflow), whether you preheat (skipping it adds time), and your specific air fryer model (wattage and basket design vary). Always use a food thermometer for meats and check doneness a few minutes before the calculated time on your first attempt.
Examples
Example 1: Chicken Breast
Your oven recipe calls for 400°F for 25 minutes. Let's convert it:
- Starting temperature: 400°F
- Minus 25°F adjustment: 400 - 25 = 375°F
- Starting time: 25 minutes
- Minus 20%: 25 × 0.80 = 20 minutes
Result: Cook at 375°F for 20 minutes. Flip the chicken breast halfway through and verify internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving.
Example 2: Frozen French Fries
The bag says bake at 425°F for 20 minutes. For frozen foods, we use a smaller time reduction:
- Starting temperature: 425°F
- Minus 25°F adjustment: 425 - 25 = 400°F
- Starting time: 20 minutes
- Minus 10% (frozen food rule): 20 × 0.90 = 18 minutes
Result: Cook at 400°F for 18 minutes. Shake the basket at the 9-minute mark for evenly crispy fries. No need to thaw first.
Example 3: Salmon Fillet
Your salmon recipe uses 400°F for 15 minutes. Salmon is a delicate food, so we use different adjustments:
- Starting temperature: 400°F
- Minus 20°F (delicate food rule): 400 - 20 = 380°F
- Starting time: 15 minutes
- Minus 25% (delicate food rule): 15 × 0.75 = 11.25 ≈ 11 minutes
Result: Cook at 380°F for 11 minutes. Place skin-side down and don't flip. The salmon is done when it flakes easily and reaches 145°F internal temperature.
Air Fryer Cooking Times Chart
Use this quick reference table for common foods. All temperatures are in Fahrenheit. Times assume a preheated air fryer and food arranged in a single layer.
| Food | Air Fryer Temp | Cook Time | Quick Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen French Fries | 400°F | 18 min | Shake basket halfway |
| Chicken Wings | 375°F | 20 min | Add baking powder for crispiness |
| Chicken Breast | 375°F | 20 min | Flip halfway, use thermometer |
| Bacon | 375°F | 8 min | Single layer, no flipping needed |
| Salmon Fillet | 380°F | 11 min | Skin-side down |
| Hamburgers | 350°F | 12 min | Flip once, indent center |
| Pork Chops | 375°F | 12 min | Cook to 145°F internal |
| Steak (1-inch) | 375°F | 10 min | Rest 5 minutes after |
| Shrimp | 355°F | 6 min | Done when C-shaped |
| Brussels Sprouts | 375°F | 12 min | Halve and shake once |
| Sweet Potato Fries | 380°F | 16 min | Cut uniformly |
| Chicken Thighs | 400°F | 28 min | Skin-side up for crispy skin |
| Mozzarella Sticks | 365°F | 6 min | Cook from frozen |
| Pizza Rolls | 355°F | 7 min | Let cool before eating |
| Asparagus | 375°F | 6 min | Snap woody ends first |
| Frozen Nuggets | 375°F | 10 min | Single layer |
| Broccoli | 375°F | 10 min | Toss with oil first |
| Zucchini Chips | 375°F | 8 min | Salt after cooking |
| Cauliflower | 375°F | 12 min | Cut into similar sizes |
| Fish Sticks | 375°F | 8 min | Flip halfway |
| Chicken Tenders | 375°F | 12 min | Check early for thin pieces |
| Potatoes (cubed) | 375°F | 16 min | Dry and oil thoroughly |
| Corn on the Cob | 375°F | 11 min | Butter after cooking |
| Cookies | 325°F | 8 min | Use parchment paper |
| Reheating Pizza | 350°F | 6 min | Add water cup for soft crust |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to preheat an air fryer?
Yes, preheating your air fryer for 3-5 minutes is recommended for best results. Preheating ensures the cooking chamber is at the right temperature when you add your food, leading to more consistent cooking and better browning. Some newer air fryer models have automatic preheat functions. For frozen foods, preheating is less critical since they need extra time to thaw anyway.
Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer?
Yes, you can use aluminum foil in an air fryer, but with important caveats. Never cover the entire basket bottom as this blocks airflow and reduces cooking efficiency. Use small pieces of foil to wrap foods or create a sling for easy removal. Never use foil with acidic foods like tomatoes or citrus as this can cause a reaction. Also, weigh down foil so it doesn't blow into the heating element.
Why is my air fryer food not crispy?
Several factors can cause soggy air fryer food: overcrowding the basket (blocks airflow), using too much oil (creates steaming instead of crisping), not preheating, or food being too wet. For crispy results, pat food dry before cooking, arrange in a single layer with space between pieces, use a light coating of oil, and don't skip preheating. Shaking or flipping halfway through also promotes even crisping.
How do I convert air fryer time back to oven time?
To convert air fryer settings back to conventional oven settings, reverse the formula: add 25°F to the temperature and increase the cooking time by about 25%. For example, if an air fryer recipe calls for 375°F for 12 minutes, use 400°F for about 15 minutes in a conventional oven. Always check for doneness, as oven performance varies.
Can you use parchment paper in an air fryer?
Yes, parchment paper works great in air fryers—but use the perforated kind designed for air fryers. The holes allow air to circulate for proper cooking. Never put parchment in an empty air fryer during preheating as it can blow up and hit the heating element. Always weigh it down with food. Regular baking parchment works but may block airflow; cut holes if using it.
How full should I fill the air fryer basket?
For best results, fill your air fryer basket no more than halfway to two-thirds full. Overcrowding prevents hot air from circulating around food, resulting in uneven cooking and less crispy textures. For items you want extra crispy (like fries or wings), use even less—a single layer is ideal. It's better to cook in batches than to crowd the basket.
Is air frying healthier than deep frying?
Yes, air frying is generally healthier than deep frying. Air fryers use up to 70-80% less oil while still achieving similar crispy results. This significantly reduces calorie and fat content. For example, air-fried french fries have about 4-6 grams of fat compared to 17+ grams when deep-fried. However, the healthiness also depends on what you're cooking—breaded frozen foods are still processed regardless of cooking method.
What can you NOT cook in an air fryer?
Avoid cooking these in an air fryer: wet batters (will drip and splatter—use breadcrumb coatings instead), large roasts that exceed basket size, cheese by itself (melts and drips through), leafy greens (blow around and burn), and foods in light sauces (make a mess). Also skip popcorn, whole grains, and anything that needs liquid to cook. Foods requiring boiling water or lots of liquid won't work.