If you’ve ever looked at a traditional oven recipe and wondered “How do I convert this for the air fryer?” you’re not alone. Air fryers have completely changed the way we cook, but recipe conversion can feel a bit like guesswork at first. The good news? Once you understand a few simple principles, air fryer conversion becomes second nature.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to convert oven recipes for the air fryer, including temperatures, timings, portion sizes and common pitfalls to avoid. Bookmark this one – it’s the kind of article you’ll come back to again and again.
Why Air Fryer Conversion Matters
An air fryer isn’t just a smaller oven. It cooks differently, and that’s why conversion is so important.
Air fryers:
Circulate hot air rapidly around the food
Heat up much faster than conventional ovens
Cook food more intensely thanks to their compact size
This means food cooks quicker, browns faster and can dry out or burn if you use oven settings without adjusting them. Converting recipes properly helps you get food that’s crisp on the outside, tender inside and evenly cooked – without any nasty surprises.
The Golden Rule of Air Fryer Conversion
When converting a conventional oven recipe for the air fryer, start with this simple rule:
Reduce the temperature by 15–20°C and reduce the cooking time by around 20–25%.
This won’t be perfect for every recipe, but it’s a reliable starting point.
For example:
Oven recipe: 200°C for 30 minutes
Air fryer conversion: 180°C for around 22–24 minutes
From there, you adjust based on what you’re cooking, the size of your air fryer and how full the basket is.
Temperature Conversion for Air Fryers
One of the most common questions is whether to use the same temperature as the oven. In most cases, the answer is no.
Here’s a handy temperature conversion guide:
220°C oven → 200°C air fryer
200°C oven → 180°C air fryer
180°C oven → 160–165°C air fryer
170°C oven → 150–155°C air fryer
Air fryers are powerful, and using oven temperatures can lead to food browning too quickly on the outside before the inside is cooked.
Time Conversion: How Much Faster Is an Air Fryer?
As a general rule, air fryers cook food around 20-25% faster than a conventional oven. Some foods cook even quicker, especially small or thin items.
Examples:
Chicken breasts: 25 minutes in the oven → 18–20 minutes in the air fryer
Roast vegetables: 40 minutes in the oven → 28–30 minutes in the air fryer
Sausages: 30 minutes in the oven → 18–22 minutes in the air fryer
Always check early. You can add time if needed, but you can’t undo overcooking.
Portion Size and Basket Space
Portion size plays a huge role in air fryer conversion.
Unlike ovens, air fryers rely on air circulating freely around the food. Overcrowding the basket is one of the biggest mistakes people make.
For best results:
Cook in a single layer whenever possible
Leave space between pieces
Cook in batches rather than piling everything in
If you increase the quantity, you’ll often need to add a few extra minutes – but still less time than an oven.
Converting Baking Recipes for the Air Fryer
Baking in the air fryer works brilliantly, but it does need a little extra care.
Cakes and Loaves
Reduce oven temperature by 20°C
Use smaller tins that fit comfortably in the basket
Increase cooking time slightly compared to savoury foods
Because cakes need time to rise and set, cooking them too hot will cause them to dome or burn on top while remaining undercooked inside.
Pastries
Air fryers are fantastic for pastries.
Reduce temperature by 15–20°C
Check early, as puff pastry browns very quickly
Shield the top loosely with foil if needed
Frozen Foods: Do You Still Need to Convert?
Most frozen foods now include air fryer instructions, but if they don’t, conversion is still simple.
Reduce oven temperature by 15–20°C
Reduce cooking time by around 20%
Shake or turn halfway through
Frozen foods often cook faster than expected in the air fryer, so keep a close eye the first time.
Foods That Don’t Need Much Conversion
Some foods are almost made for the air fryer and need very little adjustment:
Chips and wedges
Breaded chicken and fish
Spring rolls and samosas
Toasted sandwiches and wraps
These foods benefit from the intense airflow and usually just need a quick check partway through cooking.
Common Air Fryer Conversion Mistakes
Even experienced cooks slip up sometimes. Here are the most common issues I see:
- Using Oven Temperatures
This is the fastest way to burn food. Always reduce the temperature.
- Overcrowding the Basket
No airflow = uneven cooking. Less is more.
- Not Shaking or Turning
Many foods need turning halfway through to cook evenly.
- Forgetting Preheating (When Needed)
Some air fryers benefit from a quick preheat, especially for baking or breaded foods.
How Different Air Fryers Affect Conversion
Not all air fryers are the same. Basket size, wattage and design all influence cooking times.
Smaller air fryers cook faster but can overcrowd easily
Larger dual-drawer models may need slightly longer times
High-wattage air fryers brown food more quickly
The first time you convert a recipe, treat it as a test run. Make notes, and you’ll quickly learn how your air fryer behaves.
A Simple Air Fryer Conversion Checklist
Before you press start, run through this quick checklist:
Temperature reduced by 15-20°C
Time reduced by around 20%
Food arranged in a single layer
Plan to check early and shake or turn
If you do just these five things, you’ll avoid most air fryer disasters.
Final Thoughts
Air fryer conversion doesn’t have to be complicated. Once you understand how air fryers cook, you’ll be able to adapt almost any recipe with confidence.
Start with lower temperatures, shorter times and plenty of airflow – then tweak as needed. Before long, you’ll be converting recipes instinctively and getting consistent, delicious results every time.
Whether you’re cooking from an old family recipe or adapting a favourite oven bake, mastering air fryer conversion is the key to making the most of this brilliant kitchen appliance.
If you are looking for more air fryer inspiration, check out my air fryer recipes or visit my Amazon shop to order your copy of my best selling cookbooks.