If you’ve ever wondered how to convert your favourite oven recipes to air fryer masterpieces, look no further!
In this oven to air fryer conversion guide, we’ll cover how to convert oven recipes, suggest temperatures for various food types, and offer helpful tips for a seamless air frying experience.
When we compare an air fryer to an oven, one of the advantages is the ability to cook faster and at a lower temperature.
Adjusting Cooking Temperature
As a general rule, air fryer temperatures should be set at 20°C lower than the original oven temperature mentioned in the recipe.
This is because air fryers cook food more quickly and efficiently than conventional ovens, so a lower temperature helps prevent overcooking.
For example, if an oven recipe calls for cooking at 200°C (fan), set your air fryer temperature to 180°C.
The energy savings of an air fryer are one of its many advantages. In fact, when we researched if air fryers are expensive to run, we discovered that:
Most air fryers use about 1,500 watts of power.
If you use your air fryer for 30 minutes daily, that’s 0.5 kWh of electricity per day.
Depending on your electricity rate, that would cost you about 0.26p per day, or £7.80 per month.
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Temperature Conversion Chart (Oven To Air Fryer)
| OVEN | FAN OVEN | AIR FRYER |
|---|---|---|
| 190°C | 170°C | 150°C |
| 200°C | 180°C | 160°C |
| 210°C | 190°C | 170°C |
| 220°C | 200°C | 180°C |
| 230°C | 210°C | 190°C |
| 240°C | 220°C | 200°C |
Reducing Cooking Time
Air fryers typically cook food 20-25% faster than conventional ovens. Therefore, you’ll need to reduce the cooking time in your oven recipe by 20-25%.
Temperature Conversion Chart (Oven To Air Fryer)
| Oven (Minutes) | Air Fryer |
|---|---|
| 10 | 8 |
| 15 | 12 |
| 20 | 16 |
| 25 | 20 |
| 30 | 24 |
| 35 | 28 |
| 40 | 32 |
| 45 | 36 |
| 50 | 40 |
| 55 | 44 |
| 60 | 48 |
Keep in mind that these reductions are approximate, and you may need to adjust cooking times further based on your specific air fryer model and the size of your food items.
Air Fryer Cooking Charts
Here are some general guidelines for air frying different types of food together with their cooking times.
Air Fryer Vegetable Cooking Times
Experimenting with different types of vegetables in your air fryer is a great way to keep your meals exciting and varied.
Root vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, and parsnips transform into deliciously crispy bites.
In contrast, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts become irresistibly tender with a touch of charred flavour.
For a tasty and nutritious snack, you can also try air-frying green beans, asparagus, bell peppers, or even kale. By seasoning your veggies with herbs, spices, or a light drizzle of oil, you’ll create mouthwatering air-fried dishes that rival their deep-fried counterparts in taste, texture, and satisfaction.
| FOOD | TEMP | TIME |
|---|---|---|
| Asparagus | 200°C | 8 minutes |
| Aubergine (chopped) | 200°C | 15 minutes |
| Beetroot (whole) | 200°C | 45 – 60 minutes |
| Bell Peppers (chopped) | 200°C | 10 minutes |
| Bell Peppers (whole) | 200°C | 30 minutes |
| Broccoli | 190°C | 10 minutes |
| Brussels Sprouts | 180°C | 15 minutes |
| Butternut Squash (chopped) | 200°C | 20 minutes |
| Cabbage (wedges) | 190°C | 10 minutes |
| Cabbage (shredded) | 190°C | 8 minutes |
| Carrots | 200°C | 15 minutes |
| Cauliflower (chopped) | 200°C | 15 minutes |
| Celeriac (chips) | 200°C | 18 minutes |
| Corn on the Cob | 200°C | 15 minutes |
| Courgette | 200°C | 15 minutes |
| Kale | 190°C | 5 minutes |
| Mushrooms | 200°C | 5 minutes |
| Onions | 200°C | 10 minutes |
| Parsnips | 200°C | 15 minutes |
| Potatoes (Baked) | 200°C | 40 minutes |
| Potatoes (Chips) | 200°C | 20 minutes |
| Potatoes (New) | 200°C | 20 minutes |
| Potatoes (Roasted) | 180°C | 25 minutes |
| Potatoes (Wedges) | 200°C | 25 minutes |
| Sweet Potato (Baked) | 200°C | 35 minutes |
| Sweet Potato (Fries) | 200°C | 20 minutes |
| Sweet Potato (Wedges) | 200°C | 25 minutes |
Air Fryer Meat and Fish Cooking Times
Preparing meat and fish in an air fryer requires less oil than traditional frying methods and delivers juicy, tender, and tasty meals.
With minimal effort, air-fried meat and fish offer a healthier and more convenient alternative to traditional cooking methods.
Chicken, pork, beef, and even lamb can be cooked to perfection with a crispy exterior and moist, tender interior.
Air-frying fish, such as salmon, cod, and halibut, yields flaky and succulent results with a beautifully browned crust.
Don’t forget to try air-frying seafood like shrimp, scallops, or even breaded fish fillets for a tasty treat.
By marinating or seasoning your meat and fish with your favourite herbs, spices, or sauces, you can create a wide range of delicious air-fried dishes that are sure to become regular additions to your meal rotation.
| FOOD | TEMP | TIME |
|---|---|---|
| Bacon | 180°C | 8 minutes |
| Burgers (Beef) | 190°C | 10 minutes |
| Chicken Breasts | 180°C | 20 – 25 minutes |
| Chicken Thighs (Bone In) | 200°C | 22 – 25 minutes |
| Chicken Whole | 180°C | 60 minutes |
| Chicken Wings | 180°C | 25 minutes |
| Lamb Chops | 200°C | 12 minutes |
| Meatballs | 180°C | 8 – 10 minutes |
| Pork Chops (bone in) | 200°C | 12 – 15 minutes |
| Pork Ribs | 200°C | 20 minutes |
| Prawns (King) | 200°C | 8 – 10 minutes |
| Salmon Fillets | 200°C | 8 – 10 minutes |
| Sausages | 180°C | 10 – 12 minutes |
| Steak | 200°C | 8 – 12 minutes |
Air Fryer Frozen Foods Cooking Times
Air fryer frozen foods have become a go-to choice for busy individuals and families looking for a quick, convenient, and healthier way to enjoy their favourite treats.
With little to no preheating time required, air-fried frozen foods are perfect for satisfying those cravings in a hurry while maintaining great taste and texture.
Experimenting with a wide variety of frozen foods in your air fryer is fun and practical. Classics like frozen chips, onion rings, and fish fingers turn out crispy and delicious, while frozen breaded chicken, mozzarella sticks, and meatballs cook evenly and retain their juiciness.
For a more adventurous air-frying experience, try frozen samosas, spring rolls, or even jalapeño poppers.
| FOOD | TEMP | TIME |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen Broccoli | 200°C | 8 minutes |
| Frozen Chicken Nuggets | 200°C | 10 – 12 minutes |
| Frozen Chicken Wings | 180°C | 15 minutes |
| Frozen Chips | 200°C | 10 (skinny), 15 (straight), 20 (chunky) |
| Frozen Croissants | 180°C | 12 minutes |
| Frozen Fish Fingers | 190°C | 10 minutes |
| Frozen Garlic Bread | 180°C | 8 – 10 minutes |
| Frozen Hash Browns | 180°C | 15 minutes |
| Frozen Mozzarella Sticks | 180°C | 10 minutes |
| Frozen Onion Rings | 200°C | 5 to 8 minutes |
| Frozen Pizza | 200°C | 6 to 8 minutes |
| Frozen Roast Potatoes | 200°C | 20 minutes |
| Frozen Sausages | 200°C | 20 minutes |
| Frozen Sausage Rolls | 180°C | 10 (small), 18 (large) |
| Frozen Salmon | 180°C | 15 minutes |
| Frozen Sweet Potato Fries | 200°C | 12 – 15 minutes |
Remember that these temperatures and cooking times are just a starting point, and you may need to make adjustments based on your specific air fryer and recipe.
Tips For Converting Oven Recipes To Air Fryer Recipes
Preheat your air fryer: Preheating your air fryer for a few minutes before cooking can help ensure even cooking and accurate cooking times. If you forget to preheat your air fryer, don’t worry; just air fry it for a little longer. One of the many air fryer benefits is the ability to heat up quickly.
Use suitable cookware: Some air fryer recipes may require specific accessories, like a shallow baking dish or oven-safe pan. Use compatible cookware that fits well in your air fryer basket.
Don’t overcrowd the basket: Ensure enough space between food items in the air fryer basket for proper air circulation. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
Shake or flip food items: To ensure even cooking, shake the air fryer basket or flip the food part way through.
Check on the food: How often you open the air fryer drawer to check how it cooks doesn’t matter. In fact, the first time you cook a new air fryer recipe, check on it more often than usual – all air fryers cook differently, so you need to learn and experiment with how efficient your model is.
Use a light spritz of oil: for some foods, a little oil can enhance the texture and taste of certain air-fried foods. For example, a small amount of oil can help achieve a crispier exterior when preparing foods with a dry coating like breadcrumbs. For these types of foods, it’s best to use an oil spray or mister to apply a thin, even layer of oil to the food.