Convert a conventional oven temperature and time to air fryer settings.
Usage Tip
Shake or flip food halfway through for even browning.
Air Fryer Conversion Guide
An air fryer is a small convection oven, so it cooks hotter and faster than a regular oven. To convert almost any oven recipe, drop the temperature by about 25°F and cut the time by about 20% – then check early, because air fryers run fast. The calculator above does this conversion for you, or gives you tested settings by food.
| Oven temp | Air fryer temp |
|---|---|
| 350°F | 325°F |
| 375°F | 350°F |
| 400°F | 375°F |
| 425°F | 400°F |
| 450°F | 425°F |
Example: a package says 425°F for 22 minutes. In the air fryer, set 400°F for about 18 minutes – and check at 15.
Air Fryer Time & Temperature Chart
| Food | Temp | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast | 375°F | 15–20 min |
| Chicken wings | 400°F | 20–25 min |
| French fries (fresh) | 380°F | 12–18 min |
| Fish fillets | 400°F | 10–12 min |
| Salmon | 400°F | 8–12 min |
| Vegetables | 375°F | 10–15 min |
Frozen Food Air Fryer Guide
Frozen foods are where air fryers shine – no thawing, crispier results than the oven. Cook straight from frozen at 400°F, shaking partway, and add a few minutes versus fresh.
| Frozen food | Temp | Time |
|---|---|---|
| French fries | 400°F | 15–20 min |
| Chicken nuggets | 400°F | 10–12 min |
| Mozzarella sticks | 380°F | 6–8 min |
| Spring rolls | 390°F | 8–12 min |
| Fish fingers | 400°F | 10–12 min |
Meat Air Fryer Guide
Air fryers are excellent for chicken, chops, and steak. Pat meat dry, light oil, and do not overcrowd – air must circulate. Flip halfway. Cook to safe internal temperature, not just time: poultry 165°F, pork and whole-muscle beef 145°F (plus a rest). Bone-in and thick cuts take longer.
Vegetable Air Fryer Guide
Toss vegetables in a little oil and cook at 375–400°F, shaking once or twice. Quick-cooking veg (asparagus, peppers, zucchini) take 8–12 minutes; denser veg (potatoes, carrots, squash) take 15–25. Cut to even sizes and leave room in the basket for crisp, not steamed, results.
Internal Temperature Chart
Cook to a safe internal temperature with a probe thermometer:
| Food | Safe internal temp |
|---|---|
| Chicken & turkey | 165°F |
| Fish & salmon | 145°F |
| Pork | 145°F (rest 3 min) |
| Beef (whole-muscle) | 145°F medium |
| Ground meat | 160°F |
| Leftovers / reheated | 165°F |
Preheating Guide
Most air fryers preheat in 3–5 minutes. Preheating helps searing and crisping (fries, wings, steak); for delicate or baked items it matters less. If your recipe assumes a preheated oven, preheat the air fryer too – and remember the cook time starts once it is hot.
Shaking & Flipping Guide
Air circulates from the top, so the side facing up crisps faster. Shake the basket (fries, nuggets, veg, wings) or flip larger items (fillets, chops, chicken breast) about halfway through – and again near the end for very even browning. This single habit fixes most “soggy on one side” complaints.
Basket Overcrowding Tips
- Arrange food in a single layer with space around each piece.
- Crowding traps steam – you get soft, pale food instead of crisp.
- Cook in batches rather than piling it in; the air fryer reheats fast between loads.
- For big batches, a larger basket or an air-fryer oven helps.
Cleaning & Maintenance Tips
- Let it cool, then wash the basket and tray after each use – most are dishwasher-safe.
- Wipe the heating element occasionally to prevent smoke from grease buildup.
- Do not use aerosol sprays (they damage non-stick); brush with oil instead.
- Never line the basket so it blocks airflow.
Common Air Fryer Mistakes
- Overcrowding the basket – the number-one cause of soggy results.
- Forgetting to shake or flip halfway.
- Using oven temp and time unchanged (too hot, too long).
- Not checking early – air fryers can overshoot fast.
- Skipping a thermometer on meat and going by time alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert oven time to air fryer?
Lower the temperature by about 25°F and reduce the time by about 20%, then check early. A 425°F / 22-minute oven recipe becomes roughly 400°F / 18 minutes in the air fryer.
Do I need to preheat an air fryer?
Often yes for crisping (fries, wings, steak) – 3–5 minutes. For delicate or baked foods it matters less.
Can I cook frozen food in an air fryer?
Yes – cook straight from frozen, usually at 400°F, shaking partway and adding a few minutes versus fresh.
Why is my air fryer food soggy?
Usually overcrowding or not shaking. Cook in a single layer, in batches, and shake or flip halfway.
What temperature for chicken in an air fryer?
About 375°F for breasts (15–20 min) and 400°F for wings (20–25 min), always to 165°F internal.
Should I use oil in an air fryer?
A light brush or toss of oil helps crisping and browning. Avoid aerosol sprays, which can damage the non-stick coating.
Related Cooking Time Calculators
Cooking note: air fryer models vary a lot in wattage and basket size, so times and temperatures are starting points – check food early and adjust to your machine. Food thickness and quantity change timing; cook meat and poultry to safe internal temperatures with a thermometer (poultry 165°F). General guidance, not a food-safety guarantee.