Air Fryer Conversion Chart

If you're wondering how to adjust oven recipes for your air fryer, you're not alone. A good rule of thumb? Drop the cooking time by about 20 to 25 percent. Air fryers heat up faster and circulate hot air more intensely than ovens, so they’re naturally quicker. Let’s say your oven recipe calls for 40 minutes — in the air fryer, you’ll likely only need around 30. But here's the secret: always check a few minutes early the first time. It’s a gentle way to learn how your air fryer behaves.

The beauty of converting oven recipes to the air fryer is just how simple it can be. Reduce the temperature by around 20°C, and cut the cooking time by roughly a quarter. That’s it. Whether you're roasting veg or crisping up some chicken thighs, your air fryer does it faster and often better. And if you're cooking in the UK, we’ve laid it all out in Celsius to make life even easier.

Air fryer conversions don’t have to be complicated. You don’t need a calculator, just a bit of intuition and our conversion chart to guide you. Most of the time, shaving 20°C off the oven temp and keeping an eye on things five minutes earlier is all it takes. For those already using fan ovens, you’re halfway there — your recipes are already slightly cooler, so your tweaks to air fryer settings will be minimal. It’s all about feel, and a little trial and error.

Charts or calculators? Honestly, it’s up to you. Some people love the ease of tapping numbers into a tool, but there’s something comforting about glancing at a proper chart while cooking. It’s the kind of thing you print off, stick on the fridge, and reach for on autopilot when making midweek meals. We’ve even added common food timings so you know how long to air fry sausages or roast potatoes without scrolling through apps.

If you’re switching between Fahrenheit and Celsius — or flipping between British and American recipes — it can get a little confusing. That’s why we’ve made it easy. Whether you're wondering what 375°F is in air fryer terms or converting a UK fan oven dish, the same principles apply. Lower the temperature by 25°F (or 20°C) and check your food sooner. It’s a little like translating cooking dialects. Once you get it, it feels natural.

Fan ovens already cook a bit faster than conventional ones, which means you might not need to adjust quite as much when moving to the air fryer. Instead of dropping 20°C, you might only need to lower it by 10 or 15. Still, the air fryer’s more intense heat and compact space mean your food will likely cook faster. Keep an eye on colour, texture, and smell — your senses are often better judges than a timer.

So many oven recipes start at 180°C or 200°C, but air fryers are a little more sensitive. That means it’s best to take the temperature down slightly. Try 160°C for something you’d normally roast at 180°C, and you’ll likely find it cooks through beautifully without drying out. The key is balance — not just speed. And always trust your instincts over a number on the screen.

What if you’ve got a great air fryer recipe, but you need to make a big batch in the oven? You’ll want to nudge the temperature up and give it a bit more time. Something that takes 20 minutes at 180°C in the air fryer might need 25 or even 30 in the oven. It’s a helpful switch for when guests come over, or you’re prepping lunches for the week ahead.

One of the most common questions from our readers is what 350°F translates to in Celsius for air fryer use. It’s about 175°C, but when you're air frying, you’ll probably want to go a bit lower, around 160°C. The heat in an air fryer is more direct, so those golden results happen sooner than you’d expect. The same goes for 375°F, 380°F, even 400°F. Once you know the pattern, it clicks.

If you’ve ever searched for an air fryer calculator that speaks your language — Celsius, fan ovens, British portion sizes — you’ll know how hit-and-miss they can be. That’s why our chart is tailored for UK cooks. Whether you’re air frying on a budget or just starting out, this guide gives you everything you need to get dinner on the table without second-guessing.

There’s something satisfying about having a chart to hand. It takes the guesswork out of dinner and gives you a sense of rhythm in the kitchen. Air fryers are fast and fierce, but with a little guidance, they’re also incredibly precise. Our conversion chart is a gentle nudge in the right direction — a way to make sure your food turns out just the way you like it.

Prefer something you can stick to the fridge? We’ve got a printable version of the chart coming soon. It’ll include Celsius and Fahrenheit, along with quick-glance cook times for all the classics — from chips and nuggets to fish fillets and roasted veg. A handy companion for busy nights or lazy Sundays.

If your air fryer is a 1400W model, don’t worry — it still follows the same temperature settings as higher-powered ones. The main difference is how quickly it preheats and how evenly it cooks. Use the same conversion rules, but give it an extra minute or two to warm up. It’s a subtle difference, but over time, you’ll learn its quirks and strengths like any good kitchen tool.

At a glance, they might seem similar — both cook with hot air — but an air fryer is far more compact and efficient. Think of it as a turbocharged mini oven. The heating element sits close to your food, and a powerful fan moves the air rapidly, creating that golden crispness without needing litres of oil. Traditional ovens, especially fan-assisted ones, spread heat more slowly and evenly, making them great for baking and batch-cooking but slower and less energy-conscious for small meals.

This really depends on what you're making. For weeknight dinners, air fryers are fast, low-fuss, and ideal for crisping up small portions. Ovens shine for large roasts, trays of veg, or anything that benefits from slower, steadier heat. The truth? They both have a place in your kitchen. Use the air fryer when you’re short on time. Use the oven when you’re feeding a crowd. And use our conversion chart to glide between the two effortlessly.

Fan ovens and air fryers both use circulating heat, but the scale and intensity are worlds apart. In an air fryer, food is cooked in a tight, focused space — so everything happens faster. In a fan oven, the heat is gentler and better for bakes or slow roasts. So yes, there is a difference. Not in principle, but in effect. If your recipe is time-sensitive or meant to be crispy, the air fryer will usually win.

Technically, an air fryer is a type of convection oven, but it's much smaller and more intense. A convection oven is better suited to baking and multi-tray meals. The air fryer is designed for speed, crispness, and convenience. Think of it as your go-to for anything frozen, breaded, or needing that golden crunch. For flaky pastries or lasagne? Stick with the oven.

In theory, yes. But in practice, it’s more than that. An air fryer is like a supercharged mini oven designed to create crisp textures fast. It cooks smaller meals more efficiently, with little or no preheat time. It’s not here to replace your oven — just to complement it. And once you know how to convert oven timings, you’ll be able to move between both with ease.

Most air fryers use between 1400W and 2000W, depending on the model and size. Standard electric ovens can use 2000 to 5000W, especially when preheating or cooking for long periods. The air fryer’s compact size and focused heat mean it reaches temperature faster and often uses less total electricity per meal, even if the wattage is similar. It’s not just about raw power — it’s about how quickly that power translates to cooked food.

Traditional ovens are energy-hungry, particularly if you're cooking a single tray of food. They heat a large space and often need 10 to 15 minutes just to warm up. In contrast, air fryers use less energy by heating a smaller chamber more rapidly and holding that heat closer to the food. Over time, if you cook most of your solo meals or weeknight dinners in the air fryer, you’ll likely notice savings on your electricity bill too.

A standard oven might use 2 to 3 kWh to cook a full meal, especially if it’s preheated and kept on for 45 minutes or more. An air fryer, on the other hand, often uses just 0.5 to 1 kWh, depending on the recipe and wattage. It’s one of the reasons air fryers have become a popular choice during energy-conscious times — they’re not just faster, they’re often cheaper to run too.