This guide is all about oven to air fryer conversion for temperatures and cooking times. I will not only guide you through the setup, but also how the temps and times change, why, and how you can ensure your item comes out perfectly!
For more handy guides like this one, you should check out my How To’s section on my blog. There I cover topics like The Best Oil For Seasoning Cast-Iron Cookware, How To Boil Eggs In The Microwave, and How To Cut Radishes In 4 Different Ways.
Can You Use An Air Fryer As An Oven?
Despite this technology being on the market for many decades, it seems like the air fryer is pretty much still unexplored. Many people still don’t understand how it works and what it is capable of doing.
So first things first, can you use an air fryer as an oven?
In short, yes, you can. Nonetheless, you will need to implement several adjustments. These mostly revolve around baking times, baking temperatures, and air fryer settings used. But by simply adjusting just one of these factors, you are already a lot closer to success!
Which Air Fryer Setting To Use For Baking?
You must use the correct setting if you are baking in an air fryer. So first, you should understand what baking is and how it works.
When you bake in an oven, dry heat is applied to the batter or dough. You will likely use a temperature between 300-360⁰F (150-180⁰C). This helps the leavening agent quickly rise up and set in place.
If the baking temperature is too low, the baked goodie will come out dense and not fully (or properly) risen. But, if the temperature is too high, the item will come out burnt while the inside is still raw.
When baking, the oven also only uses heat from all sides (all heating elements). There usually aren’t any fans that circulate air because this often misshapes the dough or batter.
So, what does this all mean when using an air fryer?
First, you need to use a setting that doesn’t circulate air. Most air fryers come with a “bake” setting that does just that. If you do use the regular air fryer setting, you will need to lower the temperature even further than mentioned below. But I’ll get to that soon.
Additionally, you must reduce the temperature of the air fryer. The chamber is a lot smaller, and the heat is applied much better. So, even without fans, the item will bake much more quickly.
And finally, you may need to reduce the baking temperature of some items. But the only way to know for sure is to check the progress of the baked item as it is baking.
Adjusting Oven Time for Air Fryer Cooking
In most recipes, the baking time will always be for a conventional oven.
The rule of thumb you should follow is to reduce the air fryer temperature by 25 degrees (F) and lower the cooking time by 20%.
So, let’s say that the original recipe required you to bake (in an oven) at 360⁰F for 20 minutes.
When baking in an air fryer, you will now be baking at 335⁰F for 16 minutes.
Remember, you should still check the progress of the baked item as it bakes. And if it is still raw after 16 minutes, you can simply bake the item for longer.
Now, what about other oven settings like roasting, grilling, or braising? You can also use the rule of thumb laid out above. But the most difficult setting to replicate in an air fryer is baking. The others are pretty easy and foolproof.
Conventional Oven To Air Fryer – Common Temps And Times
Below are a few common baking temperatures and times that I’ve converted for air fryers.
Baking Temps Oven To Air Fryer Conversion
280⁰F (140⁰C) = 255⁰F (125⁰C)
300⁰F (150⁰C) = 275⁰F (135⁰C)
320⁰F (160⁰C) = 295⁰F (145⁰C)
340⁰F (170⁰C) = 315⁰F (155⁰C)
360⁰F (180⁰C) = 335⁰F (165⁰C)
375⁰F (190⁰C) = 350⁰F (175⁰C)
Oven Cooking Time For Air Fryer Time
10 minutes = 8 minutes
12 minutes = 9 1/2 minutes
15 minutes = 12 minutes
16 minutes = 12-13 minutes
20 minutes = 16 minutes
22 minutes = 17 1/2 minutes
25 minutes = 20 minutes
30 minutes = 24 minutes
45 minutes = 36 minutes
60 minutes = 48 minutes
Air Fryer Versus Oven Cooking Time Conversion For Frozen Food
If you are baking frozen food items, the minimum baking temperature has to be 360⁰F (180⁰C).
If it is lower than this, the item will become soggy as it thaws. You need a temperature that will allow the excess moisture (from melting ice crystals) to quickly evaporate, leaving behind only a tender, soft texture with some juiciness.
If the original oven baking temperature was anything below 360⁰F (180⁰C), set the air fryer temp to 360⁰F (180⁰C) as well.
You should check the progress of the item as it thaws and bakes (or cooks). The time may not be reduced because an item needs extra time to defrost. So it will likely even out, and you can still use the original baking temperature as a reference.
Tips For Converting These Cooking Techniques
- Always preheat your air fryer properly, just like you would an oven.
- Depending on what you are baking, you may need to add some oil to the item. This is mainly for savory foods to give them color and an added crispy texture.
- Just like inside an oven, you should never overload the air fryer. This will make the items cook for longer and potentially uneven.
- You should also avoid stacking or overlapping items. This will make them cook unevenly, with some parts burning while others are still completely raw.
- You can line your air fryer basket with foil or non-stick baking paper. Just never use wax paper because it is flammable. If you do line the basket, remember to poke holes at the bottom so the air can still circulate effectively.
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