The quick rule: set the air fryer about 20 °C (25 °F) lower than the conventional oven temperature in the recipe, and cook for about 20% less time. Check a few minutes early the first time — air fryers vary a lot between brands and sizes.
If the recipe already gives a fan (convection) oven temperature, keep that temperature and only shorten the time: an air fryer is a small, powerful fan oven with the food much closer to the heat.
Fan ovens run hotter, so fan = conventional minus 20 °C. Air fryer: a common rule of thumb is 20 °C (about 25 °F) lower than a conventional oven and about 20% less time — check early the first time.
| Gas mark | °C | °C fan | °F | Oven |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ¼ | 110 | 90 | 225 | Very cool |
| ½ | 120 | 100 | 250 | Very cool |
| 1 | 140 | 120 | 275 | Cool |
| 2 | 150 | 130 | 300 | Cool |
| 3 | 170 | 150 | 325 | Warm |
| 4 | 180 | 160 | 350 | Moderate |
| 5 | 190 | 170 | 375 | Moderately hot |
| 6 | 200 | 180 | 400 | Fairly hot |
| 7 | 220 | 200 | 425 | Hot |
| 8 | 230 | 210 | 450 | Very hot |
| 9 | 240 | 220 | 475 | Very hot |
Oven to air fryer temperature chart
| Oven (conventional) | Fan oven | Fahrenheit | Gas mark | Air fryer °C | Air fryer °F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 160 °C | 140 °C | 325 °F | 3 | 140 °C | 300 °F |
| 170 °C | 150 °C | 325 °F | 3 | 150 °C | 300 °F |
| 180 °C | 160 °C | 350 °F | 4 | 160 °C | 325 °F |
| 190 °C | 170 °C | 375 °F | 5 | 170 °C | 350 °F |
| 200 °C | 180 °C | 400 °F | 6 | 180 °C | 375 °F |
| 220 °C | 200 °C | 425 °F | 7 | 200 °C | 400 °F |
| 230 °C | 210 °C | 450 °F | 8 | 200 °C (max on most) | 425 °F |
Oven to air fryer time chart
| Oven time | Air fryer time (start checking) |
|---|---|
| 10 min | 8 min |
| 15 min | 12 min |
| 20 min | 16 min |
| 25 min | 20 min |
| 30 min | 24 min |
| 40 min | 32 min |
| 45 min | 36 min |
| 60 min | 48 min |
Five things that make the conversion work
- Do not crowd the basket. Air needs to reach every side; cook in batches if needed.
- Shake or turn the food halfway through.
- Preheat for 3–5 minutes if your model does not do it for you.
- Weigh down baking paper or foil with the food, or the fan can lift it onto the element.
- For meat, trust a thermometer, not the clock: chicken is done at 74 °C / 165 °F in the thickest part.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert oven time to air fryer time?
Multiply the oven time by about 0.8 (20% less) and check early. 30 minutes in the oven becomes about 24 minutes in the air fryer.
What is 180 °C in an air fryer?
About 160 °C (325 °F), for roughly 20% less time than the recipe says.
What is 200 °C in an air fryer?
About 180 °C (375 °F). Most air fryers top out at 200 °C.
Is an air fryer the same as a fan oven?
It works the same way — hot air moved by a fan — but it is much smaller and the food sits closer to the heating element, so it cooks and browns faster.
Do I use the same temperature for frozen food?
Follow the air fryer instructions on the pack if there are any. If there are only oven instructions, use the rule above and check that the middle is piping hot.