An air fryer circulates hot air rapidly in a small cooking space, so it can brown and heat food differently from a large oven. There is no fixed formula that reliably converts every oven recipe. The useful setting depends on the food and how full your basket is.

In short

For a first attempt, lower the oven temperature slightly and check well before the oven finish time. Treat that moment as a check point, not a guaranteed end time.

A practical starting rule

Lower the oven temperature slightly. Check earlier.

Start around 10°C below the oven temperature and make your first check at roughly two thirds of the oven time. If the food is not ready, add time in small steps.

For example, if a recipe says 200°C for 30 minutes, start an air fryer at 190°C and check around 20 minutes. This is not a fixed finish time—it is simply a useful first look.

Quantity and basket size change the conversion

  • Small portion in a loose layer: Hot air reaches the surface quickly; check especially early.
  • Large portion or full basket: Less air moves between pieces, so keep the early check but expect to add time if needed.
  • Small, crowded basket: Split the portion into batches for better airflow.
  • Large basket with space: Food in one layer can brown faster than expected.

When conversion does not work reliably

  • Very large or thick pieces: The outside can darken while the centre still needs time.
  • Casseroles and wet dishes: They need a suitable dish and a different approach from a simple oven conversion.
  • Cakes, bread and doughs: Pan shape, height and heat distribution have a large effect.
  • Frozen packaged foods: Follow package instructions first, especially if they include air fryer guidance.

Let Frygo handle the variables

A general conversion rule does not know your air fryer, portion or food. Frygo does: it combines the food, preparation, quantity and appliance into a more useful starting point with reminders to shake, turn and check.

Specific instead of generic

From oven recipe to a plan for your air fryer.

Choose food, preparation, quantity and appliance in Frygo instead of recalculating every oven recipe by hand.

Try Frygo free
Adjusted air fryer recommendation in Frygo

Note: Conversion provides starting values, not guarantees. Check doneness and follow food and appliance guidance.