How the air fryer conversion works
Air fryers circulate hot air much faster than a conventional oven, so food cooks quicker and at a lower temperature. The standard conversion used by most cooking resources is:
- Temperature: subtract 25°F (or about 14°C) from the oven temperature.
- Time: multiply the oven cooking time by 0.8 (reduce by 20%).
For example, a recipe that calls for 400°F for 25 minutes in a regular oven becomes 375°F for 20 minutes in the air fryer.
Is the rule the same for all foods?
Not exactly. Dense foods (whole chickens, thick cuts of meat) sometimes need the time reduced less aggressively, while thin, crispy foods (fries, wings) can cook even faster. The 20% rule is a safe starting point — always check food with a thermometer when cooking meat (165°F / 74°C internal for poultry).
Common oven-to-air-fryer settings
| Food | Oven | Air fryer |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken wings | 425°F · 25–30 min | 400°F · 18–22 min |
| Frozen french fries | 425°F · 25 min | 400°F · 18–20 min |
| Roasted vegetables | 425°F · 20 min | 400°F · 15 min |
| Fish fillet | 400°F · 12–15 min | 375°F · 10–12 min |
| Baked goods (muffins, cookies) | 350°F · 15 min | 325°F · 12 min |
Why use an air fryer calculator?
Most recipes online are written for conventional ovens. If you only own an air fryer, converting every recipe by hand is error-prone — too hot and the outside burns before the inside cooks, too low and food turns out soggy. This calculator does the math for you in one click.