Air Fryer Conversion Calculator
Convert your oven temperature and cook time to air fryer settings, with the math shown and an adjustment for whether you use a basket-style or oven-style air fryer.
Basket models sit closer to the heating element and circulate air more aggressively; oven-style and toaster air fryers convect more gently, so they need a smaller temperature drop and a touch more time.
Air Fryer Settings
for 16 minutes
Temperature
375°F
Cook Time
16 min
How we got there (Basket-style)
Temperature: 400°F − 25°F = 375°F
Time: 20 min × (1 − 20%) = 16 min
Get the free conversion guide
Email yourself a printable PDF with the formula for both appliance types and a common-foods cooking chart.
Quick Answer
To convert an oven recipe, lower the temperature by about 25°F (14°C) and cut the cook time by about 20%. This calculator applies that baseline and adjusts it slightly depending on whether your air fryer is a basket-style or an oven-style/toaster model.
How It Works: Formula & Variables
Air Fryer Temp = Oven Temp − Temp Drop; Air Fryer Time = Oven Time × (1 − Time Reduction %)
- Temp Drop
- 25°F (14°C) for basket-style air fryers; 15°F (about 8°C) for oven-style/toaster models, since they convect more gently.
- Time Reduction
- 20% for basket-style air fryers; 15% for oven-style/toaster models.
This is a rule-of-thumb estimate, not a lab-tested formula. Actual results vary by air fryer wattage and fan strength, but this is the exact calculation the tool runs, nothing hidden.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Basket-style air fryer
A recipe calls for 400°F for 20 minutes in the oven, and you're using a basket-style air fryer. Temperature: 400°F − 25°F = 375°F. Time: 20 min × (1 − 20%) = 16 min. Set your air fryer to 375°F for 16 minutes.
Example 2: Oven-style / toaster air fryer
The same 400°F, 20-minute recipe, but on an oven-style/toaster air fryer. Temperature: 400°F − 15°F = 385°F. Time: 20 min × (1 − 15%) = 17 min. Set your air fryer to 385°F for 17 minutes.
Key Concepts
Why air fryers cook faster: Air fryers are small convection ovens. Their compact chamber and strong fan circulate hot air much closer to the food, so heat transfers faster than in a full-size oven.
Basket-style vs. oven-style: Basket models pack the food into a tight, high-airflow chamber, which is why the standard -25°F/-20% rule fits them closely. Larger oven-style and toaster air fryers have more room and gentler airflow, so a smaller adjustment tends to match better.
Checking doneness early: Because air fryer models vary so much in wattage and fan strength, it's worth checking food a few minutes before the converted time is up, especially the first time you try a recipe.
Common Mistakes
Using the same conversion for every air fryer: Applying the -25°F/-20% rule blindly to an oven-style or toaster air fryer can overcook food, since those models don't convect as aggressively as basket-style ones.
Not adjusting for batch size: Overcrowding the basket blocks airflow and slows cooking, so a converted time may need a few extra minutes if the basket is packed full.
Skipping the check-in: Treating the converted time as exact rather than a starting point can lead to overcooked or undercooked food, since real air fryers vary by wattage and model.
Frequently Asked Questions
The common rule of thumb is to lower the oven temperature by about 25°F (roughly 14°C) and cut the cook time by about 20%. This calculator uses that same baseline, then adjusts slightly for the air fryer type you select.
Yes, to a degree. Basket-style air fryers sit the food closer to the heating element and move air more aggressively, so the standard -25°F/-20% rule fits them well. Oven-style and toaster air fryers have a larger cooking chamber and gentler airflow, so they typically need a smaller temperature drop and slightly less time reduction to avoid undercooking.
No. Every air fryer model behaves a little differently based on wattage, fan strength, and chamber size. Treat these numbers as a well-informed starting point, and check food a few minutes early the first time you try a converted recipe.
Most air fryers heat up fast, but preheating for 2-3 minutes helps match the conversion more closely, especially for foods that rely on a quick sear like breaded items or vegetables.