Oven to Air Fryer Time Conversion
Reduce the oven cooking time by about 20% — and lower the temperature 25°F.
Example: 30 minutes in the oven → about 24 minutes in the air fryer.
The air fryer is a small, fast convection oven, so food cooks faster than a conventional oven. The safe starting point is to cut the time by a fifth (20%); for thin, breaded, or already-crisp foods, go closer to 25%. Always check early the first time — you can add a minute, but you can't un-burn.
Oven to Air Fryer Time Chart
| Oven time | Air fryer (−20%) | Crisp foods (−25%) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 min | ~8 min | ~8 min |
| 15 min | ~12 min | ~11 min |
| 20 min | ~16 min | ~15 min |
| 25 min | ~20 min | ~19 min |
| 30 min | ~24 min | ~23 min |
| 35 min | ~28 min | ~26 min |
| 40 min | ~32 min | ~30 min |
| 45 min | ~36 min | ~34 min |
| 50 min | ~40 min | ~38 min |
| 60 min | ~48 min | ~45 min |
Don't Forget the Temperature
Time is only half the conversion. Lower the temperature about 25°F below the oven setting too — see the full oven-to-air-fryer temperature guide or a specific temperature like 400°F or 350°F.
How to Check Doneness
- Check at the −25% mark the first time, then every couple of minutes.
- Use a meat thermometer for chicken, pork, and large cuts — color isn't reliable.
- Shake or flip halfway so all sides finish at the same time.
- Cooking from frozen adds a few minutes; reheating leftovers takes far less.
FAQ
Q: How much do I reduce cooking time for an air fryer?
Cut the oven cooking time by about 20% (a fifth) as a starting point — 25% for thin or breaded foods that crisp fast. So 30 minutes in the oven becomes roughly 22–24 minutes in the air fryer.
Q: Do I change the temperature too, or just the time?
Both. Lower the temperature about 25°F below the oven setting and reduce the time ~20%. The lower temperature stops the surface burning while the inside catches up.
Q: Why does an air fryer cook faster?
An air fryer is a small convection oven: the heating element is close to the food and a fan blasts hot air around it, so heat reaches the surface faster and from all sides. That's why both the time and the temperature come down.