Air fryer time and temperature conversion
An air fryer is a small, powerful convection oven, so food cooks at a lower temperature and in less time than in a full-size oven. As a starting point, lower the temperature by about 20 °C and cut the time by roughly 20–25%, then adjust for your machine.
| Food | Oven (°C) / time | Air fryer (°C) / time | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen french fries | 220 °C, 20–25 min | 200 °C, 15–18 min | Shake the basket halfway |
| Chicken breast (boneless) | 200 °C, 25–30 min | 190 °C, 18–22 min | Rest 5 min; cook to 74 °C internal |
| Chicken wings | 200 °C, 35–40 min | 200 °C, 20–25 min | Turn once for even crisping |
| Whole chicken (~1.5 kg) | 180 °C, 60–70 min | 170 °C, 50–60 min | Thigh meat must reach 74 °C |
| Salmon fillet | 200 °C, 12–15 min | 180 °C, 8–10 min | Cook to 52–57 °C for medium |
| Shrimp (peeled) | 200 °C, 8–10 min | 180 °C, 6–8 min | Watch closely; shrimp overcook fast |
| Pork chop (2 cm thick) | 200 °C, 25–30 min | 190 °C, 12–15 min | Rest before serving; aim for 63 °C |
| Steak (2.5 cm thick) | 220 °C, 12–15 min | 200 °C, 8–12 min | Flip halfway; rest 5 min |
| Broccoli florets | 200 °C, 15–20 min | 190 °C, 8–10 min | Toss with oil; shake halfway |
| Spring rolls | 200 °C, 15–18 min | 180 °C, 8–10 min | Light oil brush gives even colour |
| Bacon | 200 °C, 15–20 min | 190 °C, 8–10 min | Drain on paper towels |
| Muffins | 180 °C, 18–22 min | 160 °C, 12–15 min | Check with a skewer; may need fewer per batch |
Notes
- Rule of thumb: set the air fryer about 20 °C lower than the oven recipe and reduce the cooking time by roughly 20–25%.
- Times suit a typical basket air fryer; an overloaded basket cooks slower and softer, so work in batches.
- Every model runs differently — treat the times as a starting point, check the food is cooked through, and follow the appliance instructions.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I convert oven time and temperature to air fryer?
- Lower the oven temperature by about 20 °C and reduce the time by roughly 20–25%. For example, an oven recipe at 200 °C for 30 minutes becomes about 180 °C for 22–24 minutes.
- Should I preheat my air fryer?
- Many air fryers heat up in under 3 minutes, and preheating gives a crispier result. If your model runs hot, you can skip it and simply add a minute or two of cooking time.
- Why is my food not crispy?
- Usually because the basket is too full, the food is wet or you did not add enough oil. Leave space between pieces, pat food dry, toss with a little oil, and shake or turn partway through.
- Can I cook frozen food directly in the air fryer?
- Yes — frozen fries, nuggets and similar foods cook well straight from the freezer. Because they start colder, they may need slightly longer than the times above; just check they are hot throughout.