162 C converts to Gas Mark 3 in UK ovens and air fryers. This moderate temperature is perfect for slow baking, roasting vegetables, or cooking delicate dishes that need gentle heat. Whether you're using a conventional oven or an air fryer, understanding this conversion will help you achieve perfect results every time.
Gas Mark 3 equals exactly 162 C in most UK ovens, making it one of the most commonly used temperatures for home baking. This conversion is particularly useful when adapting traditional oven recipes for your air fryer. Many air fryer models display temperatures in Celsius, so knowing that 162 C is Gas Mark 3 helps bridge the gap between different cooking methods.
When converting 162 degrees Celsius to Gas Mark, it's worth noting that some older recipes might round this to Gas Mark 2 or 4. However, modern ovens and air fryers maintain precise temperatures, so sticking to Gas Mark 3 for 162 C gives the most accurate results. For more conversion tips, check out our comprehensive air fryer conversion chart.
162 C (Gas Mark 3) is ideal for air frying because it allows food to cook through without burning the exterior. This temperature works wonderfully for cakes, cookies, and delicate proteins like fish. The circulating hot air in an air fryer cooks food faster than conventional ovens, so you might need to reduce cooking times by 20% when converting from Gas Mark 3 recipes.
Many classic British bakes use Gas Mark 3 (162 C) as their base temperature. From Victoria sponge cakes to scones, this moderate heat ensures even cooking without excessive browning. When using your air fryer at 162 C, you can achieve similar results to traditional baking - just remember to check on your food more frequently as air fryers cook faster.
For savoury dishes, 162 C is excellent for roasting vegetables or cooking chicken thighs until tender. The team at airfryerrecipe.co.uk recommends this temperature for perfect roast potatoes - crispy outside and fluffy inside. Explore our potato recipe collection for more inspiration using this versatile temperature setting.
If your recipe specifies 162 C in a fan oven, you'll still use Gas Mark 3 in a conventional oven or air fryer. Fan ovens circulate hot air similarly to air fryers, so the temperature conversion remains the same. This makes 162 C to Gas Mark particularly straightforward for air fryer users adapting fan oven recipes.
When setting your air fryer to 162 C (Gas Mark 3), remember that cooking times will differ from conventional ovens. Air fryers' efficient circulation means foods cook about 20% faster at the same temperature. This is especially important for baked goods - a cake that needs 30 minutes at Gas Mark 3 in an oven might only need 24 minutes in an air fryer at 162 C.
For best results, always preheat your air fryer to 162 C before adding food, just as you would preheat a conventional oven to Gas Mark 3. Our recipe collection includes specific timings for air fryer cooking at this temperature, taking the guesswork out of your meal prep.
While most modern air fryers maintain 162 C accurately, it's worth investing in an oven thermometer to verify your appliance's temperature. Some budget models might run slightly hotter or cooler than their display indicates. Knowing your air fryer's true performance at Gas Mark 3 equivalent helps ensure consistent cooking results.
Many classic desserts shine at 162 C in an air fryer. Try baking shortbread, madeleines, or fairy cakes at this temperature for perfect results. The gentle heat allows these delicate bakes to cook through without over-browning. For savoury options, our chicken recipes include several dishes that benefit from 162 C cooking.
Vegetables also roast beautifully at 162 C in an air fryer. Try carrots, parsnips, or beetroot sliced thinly and tossed with oil - the lower temperature allows their natural sugars to caramelise slowly. For cleaning tips after cooking at these temperatures, visit our guide on maintaining your air fryer.
