Why you don’t lower the temperature
The usual “minus 25°F” rule exists because a conventional oven heats with still air. A convection oven, also called a fan oven, already moves hot air around the food. Recipes written for convection have already had that adjustment made, so the air fryer can use the same temperature.
An air fryer still cooks a little faster. Its chamber is smaller and the fan is closer to the food, so trim about 10% off the time and check early.
Convection oven and air fryer time conversion chart
| Recipe time | Convection → air fryer | Air fryer → convection |
|---|---|---|
| 10 min | 9 min | 11 min |
| 15 min | 14 min | 17 min |
| 20 min | 18 min | 22 min |
| 25 min | 23 min | 28 min |
| 30 min | 27 min | 33 min |
| 40 min | 36 min | 44 min |
| 45 min | 41 min | 50 min |
| 60 min | 54 min | 66 min |
Temperatures stay the same in both directions. Round to the nearest 5 degrees your appliance allows.
Starting from a conventional oven recipe?
Most recipes list conventional oven temperatures. If yours doesn’t mention fan or convection, use the oven to air fryer conversion calculator instead: lower the temperature by 25°F (15°C) and multiply the time by 0.8.
UK recipes and “fan” temperatures
UK recipes and food packaging often list two temperatures, such as “200°C, 180°C fan.” The fan figure is the convection temperature. Use it directly in the air fryer and shorten the time by about 10%.
Frequently asked questions
Do you lower the temperature when converting a convection oven recipe to an air fryer?
No. A convection oven already uses a fan, so its temperature is already adjusted for moving air. Keep the temperature and cut the time by about 10%.
Is an air fryer the same as a convection oven?
They work the same way: a heating element plus a fan. An air fryer is smaller with a stronger fan relative to its size, so it crisps and cooks a little faster.
How do I convert an air fryer recipe to a convection oven?
Keep the air fryer temperature and multiply the time by 1.1. A recipe for 380°F and 20 minutes in the air fryer becomes 380°F for about 22 minutes on convection.
What if my recipe gives a conventional oven temperature but I have a convection oven?
Lower it by 25°F (15°C) for convection, the same adjustment you would make for an air fryer. Then check a few minutes early.
Can my convection oven replace an air fryer?
For most foods, yes. Use a wire rack or perforated pan, spread food in a single layer and preheat fully. Results are close, though usually a little less crisp.