How to convert an oven recipe to an air fryer
Lower the temperature by 25°F (about 15°C) and cut the time by 20 to 25%, then check the food early. For a recipe that says 400°F for 20 minutes, that is 375°F for 15 to 16 minutes. Frozen packaged food is different: keep the oven temperature and cut the time by 25 to 50%.
The 25°F figure is printed by Cuisinart, COSORI and Ninja. The 20% time cut comes from Cuisinart and COSORI; Ninja's US manual gives no time figure and says to check the food frequently. The makers do not agree on everything:
| Maker | For | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisinart | Oven recipes ("when baking" for the temperature) | About 25°F lower | About 20% less |
| COSORI | Baking recipes | 25 to 50°F lower | 20% less |
| Ninja (US manual) | Conventional oven recipes | 25°F lower | No figure; check food frequently |
| Ninja (metric manual) | Conventional oven recipes | 10°C lower (18°F) | No figure; check food frequently |
| Ninja (UK guide) | Packaged food not in its charts | Not stated | 25% less than the packet |
| Instant (Australia) | Fresh food | 20°C lower (36°F) | 20 to 25% less |
| Instant (Australia) | Frozen food | Same as the oven | 50% less |
- Cuisinart ties the 25°F drop to baking and gives its own example: cookies at 350°F for 20 minutes become 325°F for about 16 minutes.
- COSORI allows a bigger drop, 25 to 50°F, for baking recipes, with the same 20% time cut. Its example: 350°F for 20 minutes becomes 325°F for 16 minutes.
- Ninja prints 25°F in its US manual but 10°C (18°F) in a metric edition of the AF141 manual, a smaller drop.
- Instant's Australian site, quoting air fryer author Jenny Tschiesche, uses a larger 20°C (36°F) drop for fresh food and no drop at all for frozen food, with half the oven time.
- Breville's Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro manual gives no conversion rule. Its Air Fry setting starts at 400°F for 18 minutes on super convection.
None of these is a law of physics. They are starting points from people who test recipes in their own machines, which is why every one of them also says to check early.
Oven to air fryer conversion chart
Temperatures use the 25°F drop, rounded to the 5-degree steps air fryers use. The baking column is COSORI's lower limit, for cakes and breads that brown too fast.
| Oven | Air fryer | Baking, lowest |
|---|---|---|
| 300°F (150°C) | 275°F (135°C) | 250°F (120°C) |
| 325°F (165°C) | 300°F (150°C) | 275°F (135°C) |
| 350°F (175°C) | 325°F (165°C) | 300°F (150°C) |
| 375°F (190°C) | 350°F (175°C) | 325°F (165°C) |
| 400°F (205°C) | 375°F (190°C) | 350°F (175°C) |
| 425°F (220°C) | 400°F (205°C) | 375°F (190°C) |
| 450°F (230°C) | 425°F (220°C) | 400°F (205°C) |
Times for fresh food are 20 to 25% shorter, and the first number is when to check. Frozen times keep the oven temperature and cut the time by 25 to 50%.
| Oven time | Air fryer, fresh | Air fryer, frozen |
|---|---|---|
| 10 min | 8 min | 5–8 min |
| 15 min | 11–12 min | 8–11 min |
| 20 min | 15–16 min | 10–15 min |
| 25 min | 19–20 min | 13–19 min |
| 30 min | 23–24 min | 15–23 min |
| 35 min | 26–28 min | 18–26 min |
| 40 min | 30–32 min | 20–30 min |
| 45 min | 34–36 min | 23–34 min |
| 50 min | 38–40 min | 25–38 min |
| 55 min | 41–44 min | 28–41 min |
| 60 min | 45–48 min | 30–45 min |
Cuisinart's own time chart uses a flat 20%: 10 minutes becomes 8, 30 becomes 24 and an hour becomes 48 minutes.
Air fryer cooking times chart
These times are copied from the cooking charts in the manuals for the COSORI TurboBlaze, Ninja Air Fryer and Cuisinart TOA-70 toaster-oven air fryer, with the amount each maker used. Where two makers list the same food, both rows are shown, because their times differ. Unless a row says otherwise, the setting is Air Fry. Cuisinart's times are for a full load in a larger oven-style cavity; it says smaller amounts need less time.
Poultry
| Food | Amount | Temp | Time | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken wings | 2 lb, drumettes and flats | 390°F200°C | 22–26 min | Ninja |
| Chicken wings | 2 lb | 395°F200°C | 16–18 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Chicken wings | 2 lb, about 20 wings | 400°F205°C | 20–25 min | Cuisinart TOA-70 |
| Chicken breasts, boneless | 2 breasts, ½–¾ lb each | 375°F190°C | 18–22 min | Ninja |
| Chicken breasts, boneless | 4–6 pieces, 8–10 oz each | 390°F200°C | 15–18 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Chicken thighs, bone-in | 4 pieces | 390°F200°C | 12–14 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Chicken drumsticks | 6 pieces | 395°F200°C | 14–16 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Whole chicken | 5 lb | 355°F180°C | 55–90 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
Beef & pork
| Food | Amount | Temp | Time | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burgers | 4 quarter-pound patties, 1 inch thick | 375°F190°C | 8–10 min | Ninja |
| Pork tenderloin | 1 lb, whole | 385°F195°C | 18–22 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Meatballs | 15–18, 2 inch | 390°F200°C | 10–14 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Bacon | 4 strips, cut in half | 350°F175°C | 8–10 min | Ninja |
| Bacon | 6 slices | 330°F165°C | 5–7 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Bacon | 8 slices | 400°F205°C | 8–10 min | Cuisinart TOA-70 |
| Hot dogs | 4, cut 1 inch | 385°F195°C | 4–5 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
Fish & seafood
| Food | Amount | Temp | Time | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salmon fillets | 2 fillets, 4 oz each | 390°F200°C | 10–13 min | Ninja |
| Salmon fillet | 8 oz, 1 inch thick | 375°F190°C | 6–10 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| White fish fillet | 6–8 oz, 1–2 inches thick | 380°F195°C | 8–12 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Shrimp | 20 oz, large | 375°F190°C | 5 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Shrimp | 1 lb, about 16 extra-large | 375°F190°C | 8–10 min | Cuisinart TOA-70 |
| Lobster tails | 6 | 380°F195°C | 8–10 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
Potatoes & fries
| Food | Amount | Temp | Time | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fries, cut ¼ inch | 1.5 lb | 400°F205°C | 13–15 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Fries, cut ½ inch | 1.5 lb | 415°F215°C | 12–14 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Hand-cut fries, ¼ inch | 2 lb, about 3 medium potatoes | 400°F205°C | 15–20 min | Cuisinart TOA-70 |
| Hand-cut steak fries | 2 lb, potatoes cut in eighths | 400°F205°C | 15–20 min | Cuisinart TOA-70 |
| Sweet potato fries, ¼ inch | 1.5 lb | 390°F200°C | 11–13 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Baked potatoesBake setting | 9–10 oz each, whole | 385°F195°C | 28–32 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
Vegetables
| Food | Amount | Temp | Time | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli | 1 head, 1-inch florets | 390°F200°C | 10–12 min | Ninja |
| BroccoliRoast setting | 4 cups, small florets | 425°F220°C | 5–7 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Brussels sprouts | 1 lb, halved | 390°F200°C | 15–20 min | Ninja |
| Brussels sprouts | 1.5 lb, quartered | 415°F215°C | 8–12 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Root vegetablesRoast setting | 4 cups, 1-inch cubes | 425°F220°C | 8–10 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Corn on the cob | 4 cobs | 380°F195°C | 8–12 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Zucchini or squash | 4 cups, 1-inch slices | 385°F195°C | 6–8 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
Baked goods & snacks
| Food | Amount | Temp | Time | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BiscuitsBake setting | 8–9, 3-inch rounds | 375°F190°C | 11–13 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Cinnamon rollsBake setting | 9 | 330°F165°C | 12–15 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Cupcakes or muffinsBake setting | 9 | 315°F155°C | 10–13 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| CakeBake setting | 8-inch round pan | 325°F165°C | 20 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Quick breadBake setting | Mini loaf pan, 3 × 5 × 2 inches | 325°F165°C | 20 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Personal pizzaBake setting | 9 oz, 8 inches | 325°F165°C | 10–12 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Tortilla chips | Six 5-inch tortillas, quartered | 400°F205°C | 5–6 min | Cuisinart TOA-70 |
Chicken wings show how far apart the charts can be: 16 to 18 minutes at 395°F for COSORI, 22 to 26 minutes at 390°F for Ninja, and 20 to 25 minutes at 400°F for Cuisinart, all for 2 pounds. Basket shape, fan power and how crowded the food is all change the time, which is why the thermometer has the final say for meat.
Frozen food air fryer times
USDA FSIS says to follow the manufacturer's instructions on the food package when they are available, so use air fryer directions if the bag has them. If it only has oven directions, use the calculator's Frozen setting or these manufacturer times. COSORI's rows use its Frozen setting, which defaults to 390°F for 14 minutes.
| Food | Amount | Temp | Time | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French fries | 1 lb | 350°F175°C | 20–25 min | Ninja |
| French fries | 2 lb | 360°F180°C | 28–32 min | Ninja |
| French fries or steak fries | 1–2 lb | 450°F230°C | 15–25 min | Cuisinart TOA-70 |
| Tater tots | 1 lb | 360°F180°C | 18–22 min | Ninja |
| Tater tots | 1.5 lb | 395°F200°C | 10 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Chicken nuggets | 12 oz box | 390°F200°C | 10–13 min | Ninja |
| Chicken nuggets | 10–24 oz | 385°F195°C | 7–9 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Chicken nuggets | 1 lb, about 34 | 400°F205°C | 10 min | Cuisinart TOA-70 |
| Breaded chicken cutlets | 5 cutlets | 390°F200°C | 18–21 min | Ninja |
| Fish sticks | 18 sticks, 11 oz | 390°F200°C | 10–13 min | Ninja |
| Fish sticks | 12 oz, about 20 | 400°F205°C | 8 min | Cuisinart TOA-70 |
| Fish fillets | 1 box, 6 fillets | 390°F200°C | 14–16 min | Ninja |
| Fish fillets | 16 oz | 395°F200°C | 8 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Mozzarella sticks | 11 oz box | 375°F190°C | 8–10 min | Ninja |
| Mozzarella sticks | 20 oz | 395°F200°C | 6–7 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Mozzarella sticks and other appetizers | 1½ lb, about 28 sticks | 400°F205°C | 5–7 min | Cuisinart TOA-70 |
| Popcorn shrimp | 14–16 oz box | 390°F200°C | 9–11 min | Ninja |
| Pot stickers | 24 oz bag, 20 count | 390°F200°C | 12–14 min | Ninja |
| Pizza rolls | 20 oz bag, 40 count | 390°F200°C | 12–15 min | Ninja |
| Onion rings | 1 lb, ½ inch thick | 390°F200°C | 8 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
| Croquettes | 12–16, 2–3 inches | 400°F205°C | 8–10 min | COSORI TurboBlaze |
Frozen fries vary the most. Ninja cooks 1 pound at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes, while Cuisinart runs its toaster-oven fryer at 450°F for 15 to 25 minutes. Ninja's 2-pound batch takes 10°F more and about 8 minutes longer than its 1-pound batch.
What temperature should you air fry at?
Most foods cook between 350 and 400°F (175 to 205°C). USDA FSIS puts typical air frying at 5 to 25 minutes in that range, and 46 of the 62 manufacturer times on this page sit between 375 and 400°F. COSORI drops to 315 to 330°F for cupcakes, cakes and cinnamon rolls, and goes up to 415 to 425°F to roast Brussels sprouts and root vegetables. The presets show where the makers start:
| Air fryer | Setting | Default |
|---|---|---|
| COSORI TurboBlaze | Air Fry | 385°F / 195°C, 10 min |
| COSORI TurboBlaze | Frozen | 390°F / 200°C, 14 min |
| COSORI TurboBlaze | Roast | 425°F / 220°C, 12 min |
| COSORI TurboBlaze | Bake | 330°F / 165°C, 20 min |
| COSORI TurboBlaze | Broil | 450°F / 230°C, 5 min |
| Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro | Air Fry | 400°F / 205°C, 18 min |
If a converted temperature is above your air fryer's maximum, use the maximum and check early. Breville's Air Fry setting goes up to 480°F; check your manual for your model's limit.
Safe internal temperatures for air-fried food
A converted time is an estimate. FSIS says to check that air-fried food has reached a safe minimum internal temperature with a food thermometer, and notes that each air fryer has different cooking times but the safe internal temperature is always the same. Ninja's manual also recommends an instant-read thermometer for proteins.
| Food | Minimum internal temperature |
|---|---|
| All poultry, including ground poultry, wings and thighs | 165°F (73.9°C) |
| Ground beef, pork, veal and lamb | 160°F (71.1°C) |
| Beef, pork, veal and lamb steaks, chops and roasts | 145°F (62.8°C)Rest at least 3 minutes |
| Fish and shellfish | 145°F (62.8°C) |
| Eggs | 160°F (71.1°C) |
| Leftovers and casseroles | 165°F (73.9°C) |
FSIS also says not to cook raw, stuffed, breaded chicken breast products in an air fryer. They can look done outside and still be raw in the middle; follow the package's own instructions instead. Don't overfill the basket, and refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Convection oven to air fryer
FSIS describes air fryers as essentially countertop convection ovens, and the 25°F rule is the same adjustment convection ovens use. Cuisinart's TOA-70 manual says most baking recipes recommend reducing temperatures by 25 degrees when using convection, and to check for doneness 10 minutes before the end of the suggested time. So if a recipe was already written for a convection or fan oven, it has usually had that cut. Our suggestion: start at the recipe's own temperature, keep the time cut, and check early.
Things that change the time
- Preheating. Ninja recommends 3 minutes. COSORI recommends preheating before adding food and says food will not cook thoroughly without it; its Preheat setting runs 4 minutes at 400°F. The converted times assume a hot air fryer.
- Load size. FSIS, COSORI and Cuisinart all warn against overcrowding. COSORI says it can stop food browning and make it take longer. Cook in batches, in a single layer.
- Shaking. Ninja's guide says to shake or toss food frequently, and Cuisinart says to toss full loads occasionally.
- Liners. Cuisinart does not recommend parchment liners or foil, because they can block the airflow.
The air fryers these charts come from
The COSORI chart is from the COSORI TurboBlaze, our best-value pick. The Ninja chart is from the quick start guide for Ninja's basket air fryers, the same type as the Ninja Air Fryer Pro AF141, our top pick; the Ninja DZ201 can run two of these rows at once in separate baskets. The Cuisinart times come from an oven-style fryer like the Cuisinart TOA-70, and the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is the same oven-style design. The Ninja Crispi uses fixed temperature ranges per mode, so pick the mode closest to the converted temperature. Seeour air fryer picks for the full comparison.
How this calculator works
- Fresh food and baking: 25°F lower (Cuisinart, COSORI, Ninja US) and 20 to 25% less time (20% from Cuisinart and COSORI, up to 25% from Instant). The first check is at the 25% cut.
- Baking also shows COSORI's limit of 50°F lower.
- Frozen food: the oven temperature (Instant) and 25 to 50% less time (25% from Ninja UK, 50% from Instant). The first check is at half the oven time.
- Rounding: temperatures round to the nearest 5 degrees and times to the nearest minute. °C uses the exact conversion, so 25°F is a drop of about 14°C.
- The comparison table applies each maker's rule as printed, including the metric Ninja and Instant rules, which are set in °C.
- Cooking times are only ones printed in a manufacturer's chart, with the amount the maker used. We left out foods we couldn't find in a manual. In all, 41 fresh and 21 frozen rows.
Sources were checked on October 7, 2026.
Sources
- Cuisinart, The Air Fryer Conversion Chart: reduce the temperature by about 25°F when baking and the cooking time by about 20%; check food a few minutes early. www.cuisinart.com/the-air-fryer-conversion-chart.html
- Cuisinart AirFryer Toaster Oven and Grill TOA-70C Series, Instruction and Recipe Booklet: AirFryer chart (times for the maximum amount) and convection baking tips. cuisinart.ca/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-master-ca/en_CA/v1728119420384//Instru…
- COSORI TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart Air Fryer, Recipe Book and Quick Start Guide: cooking reference chart, function presets, and "lower the temperature by 25°–50°F and cut the cooking time down by 20%" for baking recipes. cosori.com/cdn/shop/files/TURBOBLAZE_RECIPE_BOOK-compressed.pdf
- Ninja Air Fryer AF100 Series Owner's Guide, Helpful Tips: "reduce the temperature of the Air Fryer by 25°F", check food frequently, 3-minute preheat, instant-read thermometer for proteins (copy hosted by ManualsLib). www.manualslib.com/manual/1447714/Ninja-Af100-Series.html?page=7
- Ninja Air Fryer quick start guide, "Air Fry 101" and Air Fry Cooking Chart (US, °F; the guide does not print a model number; copy hosted by ManualsLib). www.manualslib.com/manual/2923525/Ninja-Air-Fry-101.html
- Ninja Air Fryer Pro AF141 Owner's Guide, Singapore/Malaysia edition: "reduce the temperature of the Air Fryer by 10°C" (copy hosted by Kitchen Warehouse). res.cloudinary.com/kitchenwarehouse/image/upload/Product%20Manuals/Ninja-AF141-A…
- Ninja AF200UK Quick Start Guide: for foods not in the charts, decrease the cook time on the packaging by 25% and check often. www.ninjakitchen.ie/cdn/shop/files/AF200UK_IG_QSG_MP_241007_Mv2_LR.pdf
- Instant Pot Australia, Tips and Tricks: Save Time and Energy with an Instant Air Fryer (method credited to Jenny Tschiesche): fresh food 20°C lower and 20–25% less time; frozen food same temperature and 50% less time. instantpot.com.au/blogs/blog/tips-and-tricks-save-time-and-energy-with-an-instan…
- Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro BOV900 Instruction Book: Air Fry preset 400°F for 18 minutes on super convection, rack position 3, preheat. assets.breville.com/BOV900/BOV900_USCM_IB_Rv1.pdf
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, Air Fryers and Food Safety (5 to 25 minutes at 350 to 400°F, check with a food thermometer, do not air fry raw stuffed breaded chicken breast). www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-bas…
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart. www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-bas…