How the conversion works
An air fryer is a small, powerful fan oven, so food cooks faster than in a big oven. The usual rule is to lower the temperature by about 15 °C (25 °F) from a conventional oven recipe and cut the time by about 20%. Start checking at about 70% of the time, and shake or flip the food halfway. If the recipe is for a fan oven, keep roughly the same temperature and just shorten the time.
Air fryer cooking times
| Food | Temperature | Time | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen French fries | 200 °C | 15–20 min | Shake twice; don't overfill the basket |
| Homemade potato wedges | 200 °C | 18–22 min | Toss in 1 tsp oil |
| Chicken wings | 200 °C | 20–25 min | Flip halfway; check 75 °C inside |
| Chicken tikka / boneless pieces | 190 °C | 12–15 min | Skewer or single layer |
| Paneer tikka | 180 °C | 10–12 min | Brush with oil to stop it drying |
| Frozen samosas / spring rolls | 180 °C | 10–12 min | Spray lightly with oil |
| Fish fillets | 200 °C | 8–12 min | Line with perforated paper |
| Mixed vegetables | 190 °C | 10–15 min | Shake halfway |
| Reheating pizza | 170 °C | 3–5 min | Crisper than a microwave |
| Small cakes / muffins | 160 °C | 12–18 min | Cover the top if it browns too fast |
Times are a guide for a preheated 4–6 litre air fryer. Models vary, so check early the first time. Very wet batters don't work in air fryers.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert 180 °C for 30 minutes in the oven to an air fryer?
Use about 165 °C (or 170 °C if your air fryer has 10-degree steps) for about 24 minutes, checking from 21 minutes and shaking halfway.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
For crisp results, yes: 3–5 minutes at the cooking temperature. Many recipes and the times above assume a preheated basket.