UtilibyWritten by the Utiliby editorial team · Last updated October 13, 2026 · Rules and formulas reviewed October 2026
What this air fryer conversion calculator does
Almost every recipe and frozen food package is written for an oven. This free online air fryer conversion calculator turns an oven temperature and time into the right air fryer setting in seconds, and does the same in the other direction (air fryer to oven) and for convection ovens (conventional to convection and back). Use it for any recipe, or for the directions on a bag of frozen fries or nuggets.
It shows the new temperature and time, when to check and shake, a chart of oven against air fryer settings, and a table of the same recipe at other oven temperatures. A second tab is a searchable air fryer cooking times chart with 76 foods, in °F or °C. Everything runs in your browser, with no sign-up.
How to use the converter
- Choose the conversion: oven to air fryer, air fryer to oven, conventional to convection oven or the reverse.
- Enter the temperature and time from the recipe or the package. If the time is a range such as 18 to 22 minutes, enter the longest time too.
- Pick your appliance and setting. Standard (-25°F, -20% time) suits most foods. Use gentle for thick items and aggressive for thin, crisp foods. Choose a full basket if you are cooking a big batch.
- Read the result, including when to first check and when to shake.
- Open the cooking times chart to search a food directly.
- Print, download a CSV or copy the result.
How to convert oven recipes to an air fryer
An air fryer is a compact convection oven. A fan pushes hot air around a small space, so food heats and browns faster than in a large oven. Cooks therefore make two changes: lower the temperature by about 25°F (15°C) and shorten the time by about 20%.
| Oven recipe | Air fryer (standard) |
|---|---|
| 350°F for 30 min | 325°F for 24 min |
| 375°F for 25 min | 350°F for 20 min |
| 400°F for 20 min | 375°F for 16 min |
| 425°F for 18 to 22 min | 400°F for 14 to 18 min |
| 450°F for 15 min | 425°F (or 400°F) for 12 min |
Most air fryers top out at 400°F (205°C), so for a 425 or 450°F oven recipe use the maximum and add a minute or two. Use the gentle setting for thick cuts such as bone-in chicken so the outside does not burn before the inside cooks, and the aggressive setting for thin food that you want to crisp quickly.
How to convert an air fryer recipe to the oven
Reverse the rule: add 25°F (15°C) and lengthen the time by about 25%. An air fryer recipe of 380°F for 12 minutes becomes about 405°F for 15 minutes in an oven. Use a rimmed sheet pan, ideally with a wire rack, preheat fully, and turn the food once. Expect a little less crispness than you get from an air fryer.
Convection oven conversion: conventional to convection and back
If your recipe is written for a conventional oven and you want to use the convection (fan) setting, lower the temperature by 25°F (15°C), keep the time about the same and start checking at 75 to 90% of it. Going back, from a convection recipe to a conventional oven, add 25°F (15°C) and allow 10 to 25% more time. Many modern ovens do this automatically when you choose convection bake or convection roast, so check your manual first so you do not adjust twice.
Air fryer cooking times chart
These starting points are for a preheated 4 to 6 quart basket air fryer, with food in a single layer. Use the searchable version above to find a food quickly, or the full list below.
Frozen foods
| Food | Temperature | Time | Shake or flip |
|---|---|---|---|
| French fries, frozen (thin) | 400°F (205°C) | 12 to 16 min | Shake halfway |
| Steak fries or wedges, frozen | 400°F (205°C) | 15 to 20 min | Shake halfway |
| Tater tots, frozen | 400°F (205°C) | 10 to 14 min | Shake halfway |
| Hash brown patties, frozen | 380°F (195°C) | 10 to 12 min | Flip once |
| Chicken nuggets, frozen | 400°F (205°C) | 8 to 12 min | Shake halfway |
| Chicken tenders or strips, frozen | 400°F (205°C) | 10 to 14 min | Flip once |
| Fish sticks, frozen | 400°F (205°C) | 8 to 12 min | Flip once |
| Breaded shrimp, frozen | 400°F (205°C) | 6 to 9 min | Shake halfway |
| Mozzarella sticks, frozen | 375°F (190°C) | 6 to 8 min | Flip once |
| Onion rings, frozen | 400°F (205°C) | 8 to 10 min | Shake halfway |
| Pizza rolls, frozen | 380°F (195°C) | 6 to 8 min | Shake halfway |
| Egg rolls, frozen | 380°F (195°C) | 8 to 10 min | Flip once |
| Dumplings or potstickers, frozen | 375°F (190°C) | 8 to 12 min | Shake halfway |
| Frozen pizza, 8 to 10 inch | 375°F (190°C) | 10 to 14 min | No |
| Burger patties, frozen | 375°F (190°C) | 12 to 15 min | Flip once |
| Corn dogs, frozen | 370°F (190°C) | 8 to 10 min | Flip once |
| Frozen waffles or pancakes | 350°F (175°C) | 3 to 5 min | No |
Chicken and poultry
| Food | Temperature | Time | Shake or flip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken wings, raw or thawed | 400°F (205°C) | 20 to 25 min | Flip halfway |
| Chicken breast, boneless (6 to 8 oz) | 380°F (195°C) | 18 to 22 min | Flip halfway |
| Chicken thighs, bone-in | 380°F (195°C) | 22 to 28 min | Flip halfway |
| Chicken drumsticks | 390°F (200°C) | 18 to 24 min | Flip halfway |
| Whole chicken, 3 to 4 lb | 360°F (180°C) | 50 to 65 min | Flip once |
| Turkey breast tenderloin | 370°F (190°C) | 22 to 30 min | Flip halfway |
| Chicken tenders, breaded (homemade) | 390°F (200°C) | 10 to 12 min | Flip once |
Beef and pork
| Food | Temperature | Time | Shake or flip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steak, 1 inch ribeye or sirloin | 400°F (205°C) | 8 to 12 min | Flip once |
| Burger patties, fresh (¾ inch) | 375°F (190°C) | 10 to 13 min | Flip once |
| Pork chops, bone-in, 1 inch | 380°F (195°C) | 12 to 16 min | Flip once |
| Pork tenderloin | 380°F (195°C) | 18 to 24 min | Flip once |
| Bacon | 375°F (190°C) | 8 to 11 min | Flip once |
| Sausage links | 380°F (195°C) | 10 to 14 min | Flip once |
| Meatballs | 380°F (195°C) | 8 to 12 min | Shake halfway |
| Hot dogs | 390°F (200°C) | 5 to 7 min | No |
| Baby back ribs, in sections | 360°F (180°C) | 28 to 35 min | Flip once |
Fish and seafood
| Food | Temperature | Time | Shake or flip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon fillet (6 oz) | 390°F (200°C) | 7 to 10 min | No |
| Shrimp, raw, large | 400°F (205°C) | 5 to 8 min | Shake halfway |
| White fish fillet (cod, tilapia) | 390°F (200°C) | 8 to 12 min | Flip once |
| Crab cakes | 380°F (195°C) | 8 to 10 min | Flip once |
Vegetables
| Food | Temperature | Time | Shake or flip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli florets | 390°F (200°C) | 6 to 9 min | Shake halfway |
| Brussels sprouts, halved | 390°F (200°C) | 12 to 16 min | Shake halfway |
| Asparagus | 390°F (200°C) | 6 to 9 min | Shake halfway |
| Cauliflower florets | 390°F (200°C) | 12 to 16 min | Shake halfway |
| Potatoes, cubed (¾ inch) | 400°F (205°C) | 15 to 20 min | Shake halfway |
| Baked potato, whole | 400°F (205°C) | 35 to 45 min | Flip once |
| Sweet potato fries or cubes | 390°F (200°C) | 15 to 20 min | Shake halfway |
| Zucchini slices or fries | 390°F (200°C) | 10 to 14 min | Shake halfway |
| Green beans | 390°F (200°C) | 8 to 12 min | Shake halfway |
| Corn on the cob | 390°F (200°C) | 10 to 12 min | Flip once |
| Carrots, sliced | 380°F (195°C) | 12 to 15 min | Shake halfway |
| Bell pepper strips | 380°F (195°C) | 8 to 10 min | Shake halfway |
| Mushrooms | 380°F (195°C) | 8 to 10 min | Shake halfway |
| Butternut squash cubes | 390°F (200°C) | 14 to 18 min | Shake halfway |
| Roasted chickpeas | 390°F (200°C) | 10 to 15 min | Shake every 4 minutes |
| Kale chips | 300°F (150°C) | 5 to 8 min | Shake once |
| Tofu cubes | 390°F (200°C) | 12 to 16 min | Shake halfway |
Snacks and baking
| Food | Temperature | Time | Shake or flip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falafel | 375°F (190°C) | 10 to 12 min | Flip once |
| Grilled cheese sandwich | 370°F (190°C) | 6 to 8 min | Flip once |
| Quesadilla | 370°F (190°C) | 5 to 7 min | Flip once |
| Empanadas | 370°F (190°C) | 10 to 12 min | Flip once |
| Stuffed peppers | 370°F (190°C) | 12 to 15 min | No |
| Hard-boiled eggs (in shell) | 270°F (130°C) | 15 to 17 min | No |
| Soft-boiled eggs (in shell) | 270°F (130°C) | 11 to 13 min | No |
| Egg bites in silicone cups | 300°F (150°C) | 10 to 12 min | No |
| Canned biscuits | 330°F (165°C) | 7 to 9 min | No |
| Canned cinnamon rolls | 320°F (160°C) | 8 to 10 min | No |
| Cookies, small batch | 320°F (160°C) | 7 to 10 min | No |
| Brownies, 6 inch pan | 320°F (160°C) | 18 to 22 min | No |
| Muffins in cups | 330°F (165°C) | 12 to 16 min | No |
| Roasted almonds or nuts | 320°F (160°C) | 5 to 8 min | Shake once |
| Toast, bread slices | 360°F (180°C) | 2 to 4 min | No |
| Garlic bread slices | 350°F (175°C) | 3 to 5 min | No |
Reheating
| Food | Temperature | Time | Shake or flip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pizza slice, leftover | 350°F (175°C) | 3 to 5 min | No |
| French fries, leftover | 380°F (195°C) | 3 to 5 min | Shake once |
| Fried chicken, leftover | 360°F (180°C) | 5 to 8 min | Flip once |
| Roast chicken pieces, leftover | 350°F (175°C) | 5 to 8 min | No |
| Burritos or wraps, leftover | 350°F (175°C) | 5 to 8 min | Flip once |
| Pastries or croissants, leftover | 320°F (160°C) | 2 to 4 min | No |
Cooking frozen food in an air fryer
Frozen fries, nuggets, tenders, fish sticks, mozzarella sticks and dumplings are the most popular air fryer foods. Cook them straight from frozen, without thawing, in a single layer. Package directions are for an oven, so use the converter, then shake or flip halfway. For breaded foods, a light spray of oil gives a better colour. Frozen raw chicken pieces should be cooked until they reach 165°F (74°C) inside.
Air fryer sizes and capacity
| Capacity | Suits | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 3 quart | 1 to 2 people | Snacks, a few wings, one chicken breast |
| 4 to 6 quart | 2 to 4 people | Most family meals, 2 to 4 chicken breasts, a pound of fries |
| 7 to 10 quart | 4 to 6 people | Whole chicken, large batches |
| Oven-style (12 to 26 quart) | 4 or more people | Sheet-pan meals, multiple racks, pizza |
Bigger air fryers move air gently over a larger area, so oven-style models need a smaller reduction. The calculator uses −15°F instead of −25°F for them.
Tips for better air fryer results
- Preheat for 2 to 4 minutes for frozen food and meat.
- Pat food dry and use only a thin film of oil. Spray oil is easiest.
- Cook in a single layer, and shake or flip halfway.
- Do not cover the basket with foil or paper that blocks the airflow.
- Use a thermometer rather than the clock.
- Clean the basket often. Fat and crumbs smoke.
Food safety temperatures
| Food | Safe internal temperature |
|---|---|
| Poultry (chicken, turkey, duck) | 165°F (74°C) |
| Ground beef, pork, lamb | 160°F (71°C) |
| Steaks, chops, roasts, pork tenderloin | 145°F (63°C) with a 3 minute rest |
| Fish and shellfish | 145°F (63°C) |
| Eggs and egg dishes | 160°F (71°C) |
| Leftovers and casseroles | 165°F (74°C) |
Troubleshooting air fryer results
- Soggy: too crowded, too wet or too cool. Dry the food, spread it out and raise the temperature by 10 to 15°F.
- Dry or tough: too hot or too long. Use the gentle setting and a thermometer.
- Burnt outside, raw inside: lower the temperature by 25 to 50°F and cook longer.
- Uneven browning: shake or flip halfway and avoid stacking.
- Smoking: fat has collected in the drawer. Pour a little water in the bottom and clean it after use.
Worked examples
Frozen chicken nuggets. The bag says 425°F for 18 to 22 minutes. Standard conversion: 400°F for about 14 to 18 minutes. Shake at 7 to 9 minutes and check that they reach 165°F.
Roast vegetables. A recipe says 400°F for 25 minutes. In an air fryer use 375°F for 20 minutes, shaking halfway.
Air fryer recipe to the oven. A recipe says 380°F for 12 minutes. Use about 405°F for 15 minutes in an oven, turning once.
Convection bake. A cookie recipe says 350°F for 12 minutes. In a convection oven use 325°F and start checking at 9 to 10 minutes.
Privacy
The calculator runs entirely in your browser. What you enter is not sent to a server or stored. Reloading the page returns the example. Downloaded files are created on your device.
Related free tools
Use these free online tools together with this one:
- Convert cups, grams and spoons with the cooking measurement converter.
- Plan roasting and grilling times with the meat cooking time calculator.
- Adjust a recipe for a different pan with the baking pan size converter.
- Keep a shopping and prep list with the online to-do list.
- Compare ingredient prices per unit with the unit price calculator.
- Set daily macro targets with the keto macro calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert oven temperature to air fryer?
Lower the oven temperature by about 25°F (15°C). A recipe that says 400°F in the oven is usually cooked at 375°F in an air fryer. Round to the nearest 5 degrees your air fryer allows.
How do I convert oven time to air fryer time?
Shorten the cooking time by about 20%. A 20 minute oven recipe becomes about 16 minutes in an air fryer. Start checking at about three quarters of the time and add a minute or two if needed.
What is the rule for converting an oven recipe to an air fryer?
The widely used rule is to reduce the temperature by 25°F (15°C) and the time by about 20%. This calculator also has gentle (-15°F, -10%) and aggressive (-35°F, -25%) settings for thick or thin foods.
Do I need to preheat an air fryer?
Most manuals suggest 2 to 4 minutes at the cooking temperature, and it gives better browning for frozen food and meat. Small or delicate foods are often fine without it. Check your appliance manual.
How do I convert frozen food package directions to an air fryer?
Take the oven temperature and time from the package, enter them in the calculator, and use the result as a start. For example, 425°F for 18 to 22 minutes becomes about 400°F for 14 to 18 minutes. Shake or flip halfway and check the middle.
How do I convert an air fryer recipe to the oven?
Raise the temperature by about 25°F (15°C) and lengthen the time by about 25% (divide the time by 0.8). Use a sheet pan with a rack for crisp results and turn the food once.
How do I convert a conventional oven recipe to a convection oven?
Lower the temperature by 25°F (15°C), keep the time about the same and start checking 10 to 25% early. Convection circulates the air, so food browns faster.
Can I use foil or parchment in an air fryer?
Yes, but do not block the airflow or let loose paper fly into the heating element. Use perforated air fryer parchment or a small piece of foil weighed down by the food, and never run the air fryer empty with paper inside.
Why is my air fryer food not crispy?
The most common reasons are crowding the basket, not drying the food, too little oil, or too low a temperature. Cook in a single layer, pat the food dry, spray lightly with oil and shake or flip halfway.
Why is the outside burnt and the inside raw?
The temperature is too high for the thickness of the food. Lower it by 25 to 50°F, extend the time and use a thermometer.
How full should I fill the air fryer basket?
Fill no more than about half to two thirds for foods that need crisping, and in a single layer where possible. A full basket needs about 15% more time and more shaking.
What size air fryer do I need?
As a guide, a 2 to 3 quart model suits one or two people, a 4 to 6 quart model feeds two to four people and an 8 to 10 quart or oven-style model suits families or batch cooking.
What internal temperatures should I check?
Use a food thermometer. Poultry should reach 165°F (74°C), ground meat 160°F (71°C), and pork, steaks, chops and fish 145°F (63°C), with a 3 minute rest for whole cuts.
Does the conversion change for a Ninja, Instant Vortex, Philips or Cosori?
The rule is the same for all basket and drawer models. Oven-style air fryers hold more food and the airflow is gentler, so the calculator uses a smaller reduction for them. Always compare with your own manual.
Can I cook raw chicken or frozen chicken in an air fryer?
Yes. Cook it to 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part. Thaw large pieces first for even cooking, and see the cooking times chart for wings, breasts, thighs, drumsticks and nuggets.
What foods should not go in an air fryer?
Wet batter, loose cheese and leafy greens that fly around are poor choices, and so are very large roasts that block the airflow. Dry-coated foods, frozen foods and vegetables work best.
Can I print or save the result?
Yes. Print / save as PDF prints only the conversion or the times chart you are viewing. CSV downloads it and copy summary puts it on your clipboard. Nothing is uploaded.
Sources and further reading
- Air fryer manufacturer manuals and cooking guides (such as Philips, Ninja, Instant and Cosori) for the common practice of lowering the oven temperature by about 25°F and shortening time.
- US Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service guidance on safe internal cooking temperatures for poultry, ground meat, pork, beef and fish.
- Convection oven manufacturer guidance on lowering the temperature by 25°F when converting from a conventional recipe.
Sources were consulted in October 2026. Standards and rules can change, so always check the official page for your situation.