How this calculator works
An air fryer moves hot air quickly through a small chamber, so food browns faster than in a full oven. The widely used starting point is to set the air fryer about 25 °F (14 °C) below the oven temperature and to begin checking at about 80 per cent of the oven time. This calculator applies that rule in either direction. It is a starting point, not a guarantee: basket crowding, the model of air fryer and the thickness of the food all change the result. Cook poultry and other risky foods to a safe internal temperature rather than to a clock.
Formula
air fryer temperature = oven temperature - 14 °C. air fryer time = oven time x 0.8. For the reverse, oven temperature = air fryer temperature + 14 °C and oven time = air fryer time / 0.8. The gentle setting uses a 7 °C drop and a 0.9 time factor.
Worked example
A recipe tells you to roast vegetables at 220 °C for 30 minutes. The standard conversion gives 220 - 14 = 206 °C and 30 x 0.8 = 24 minutes. Check at about 20 minutes, shake the basket, and add time in short bursts if the pieces are not browned. In Fahrenheit the same recipe is 428 °F, which becomes about 403 °F.
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need to preheat an air fryer?
A short preheat of 3 to 5 minutes helps browning and makes the timing more predictable, especially for baked goods and frozen foods. Smaller baskets heat faster than large ones, so follow the maker's guidance for your model.
Why is the air fryer time sometimes longer than expected?
Crowding is the usual cause. Air fryers need space around the food for hot air to circulate, so a single layer with gaps cooks much faster than a full basket. Dense or frozen food also needs more time than the simple percentage suggests.
Is air-fried food always safe when it looks brown?
No. Browning is not a safety test. Check the internal temperature with a probe: poultry should reach 74 °C (165 °F) for pieces and ground poultry, while whole birds need 82 °C (180 °F). Ground beef, veal, lamb and pork should reach 71 °C (160 °F).
Can I convert any oven recipe this way?
The rule works best for roasted vegetables, frozen foods and small pieces of meat. Large cakes, soufflés and anything that needs gentle, even heat may need a lower temperature or a different method, because the air fryer's fan and small chamber change how the surface sets.