How do I convert oven temperature to air fryer in Celsius?
Subtract about 15°C from the oven temperature. For example, 200°C in the oven becomes about 185°C in the air fryer.
Celsius Conversion
Oven to Air Fryer Conversion Celsius
If your recipe is written in Celsius — common in UK, Australian, European, and many international cookbooks — the oven-to-air-fryer conversion uses a different number than the Fahrenheit rule. This page covers the Celsius-specific conversion, the fan oven caveat that many guides skip, and a full Celsius temperature table.
Quick Answer
For Celsius oven recipes, reduce the oven temperature by about 15°C when converting to air fryer. So 200°C in the oven becomes about 185°C in the air fryer. Also reduce cooking time by about 20%. Note: if your recipe specifies a fan oven (convection), you may not need the full 15°C reduction.
- Celsius rule: air fryer temperature = oven temperature minus 15°C.
- Time rule: multiply oven time by 0.8 (20% reduction).
- Fan oven recipes already use lower temperatures; reduce by only about 5–10°C if at all.
- 180°C oven → about 165°C air fryer; 200°C oven → about 185°C air fryer.
Mini Converter
The calculator is set to Celsius mode and prefilled with 200°C for 30 minutes — one of the most common oven temperatures in international recipes. Switch the unit toggle if you need to convert from Fahrenheit.
°C
mins
Air Fryer Settingsfor general
Recommended Temperature
185°C
Cooking Time
22–25mins
Why this conversion
Applied the standard 20% time reduction and 15°C temperature drop.
Shake / Flip
Shake or flip around 12 minutes for even crisping.
Doneness check
Check early and add 2–3 minutes if needed.
* Air fryer models vary. Always check food early and use a food thermometer for meats.
The Celsius Conversion Formula Explained
The Celsius reduction of 15°C is not exactly the same as 25°F. In Fahrenheit, 25°F is a specific number chosen as a practical kitchen rule. In Celsius, the equivalent rounded rule is about 14°C — but most cooks use 15°C for simplicity, and the difference at kitchen temperatures is negligible.
The bigger practical distinction for Celsius users is the fan oven. Many UK and Australian recipes specify a fan-forced or fan-assisted oven, which is already a convection setting. A fan oven runs about 20°C cooler than a conventional oven for the same effect. If your recipe says '180°C fan' and you've been cooking at that in a conventional oven, it's already compensated for convection heat. An air fryer is also convection-based, so you may only need to reduce the temperature by 5–10°C rather than the full 15°C.
If the recipe just says '200°C' without specifying 'fan', it's written for a conventional (static) oven. Use the full 15°C reduction and 20% time reduction as your starting point.
Oven to Air Fryer Celsius Conversion Table
This table covers conventional oven temperatures (non-fan). If your recipe specifies a fan oven, the air fryer temperature may be 5–10°C higher than shown here.
| Conventional Oven (°C) | Air Fryer Starting Temp (°C) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| 150°C | 135°C | Very gentle reheating, delicate baking |
| 160°C | 145°C | Custards, slow-cooked items, delicate pastries |
| 170°C | 155°C | Muffins, light cakes, small baked goods |
| 180°C | 165°C | Standard baking: cookies, sponge cakes, breads |
| 190°C | 175°C | Roasting poultry, vegetables, general cooking |
| 200°C | 185°C | Roast chicken, potatoes, general high-heat cooking |
| 210°C | 195°C | Faster roasting, crispy vegetables, pork crackling |
| 220°C | 205°C | Fries, bacon, fast crisping |
| 230°C | 215°C | Short searing only; verify your air fryer max temp |
Fan Oven vs Conventional Oven — Celsius Air Fryer Guide
| Recipe Specifies | Conversion to Air Fryer | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional oven (e.g., '200°C') | Reduce by 15°C → 185°C | Full convection adjustment needed. |
| Fan oven (e.g., '180°C fan') | Reduce by 5–10°C → 170–175°C | Fan oven is already convection; air fryer is similar. |
| Gas Mark | Convert to °C first, then apply the conventional rule | Gas Mark 6 ≈ 200°C; Gas Mark 5 ≈ 190°C. |
Practical Tips
- If a Celsius recipe says 'fan' or 'fan-forced', reduce the temperature by only about 5–10°C instead of 15°C.
- The time rule is the same in Celsius as in Fahrenheit: multiply oven time by 0.8 and express as a range.
- For baked goods, the Celsius air fryer temperature is particularly important — browning happens fast at even 5°C above the ideal setting.
- Gas Mark conversions: Gas 4 ≈ 180°C, Gas 5 ≈ 190°C, Gas 6 ≈ 200°C, Gas 7 ≈ 220°C.
- Keep in mind that Celsius air fryer settings may not be available in 5°C increments on all models — round to the nearest available setting.
- For the first time you convert a specific Celsius recipe, check 2–3 minutes earlier than the formula suggests.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the Fahrenheit reduction of 25°F for a Celsius recipe. The equivalent Celsius reduction is about 15°C — not 25°C.
- Ignoring the fan oven specification. Reducing a fan-oven recipe by 15°C can result in a setting that's too low.
- Not converting Gas Mark to Celsius before applying the air fryer rule.
- Assuming all air fryers display Celsius settings. Some models only show Fahrenheit; convert before setting.
- Using the Celsius rule (15°C) when the recipe is actually in Fahrenheit. Always identify the unit first.
Celsius Conversions and Food Safety
The food safety temperatures are the same regardless of the unit system. Poultry should reach 74°C / 165°F internally. Pork should reach 63°C / 145°F. Fish is done when it flakes at 63°C / 145°F. A converted Celsius temperature tells you where to set the air fryer, not when the food is safe.
Use a food thermometer with a Celsius readout if your recipe and air fryer both use Celsius. Checking internal temperature directly avoids unit conversion confusion at the critical moment.
FAQ
What is 180°C oven in air fryer?
A conventional 180°C oven recipe converts to about 165°C in the air fryer. If the recipe says '180°C fan', reduce by only 5–10°C to about 170–175°C.
Is the Celsius air fryer rule the same as the Fahrenheit rule?
No. The Fahrenheit rule is to subtract 25°F; the Celsius rule is to subtract about 15°C. Do not subtract 25°C — that would make the air fryer setting too low.
What is 200°C fan oven in air fryer?
A fan oven recipe at 200°C is already convection heat. Reduce by only about 5–10°C to about 190–195°C in the air fryer, and apply the normal 20% time reduction.
Do I still reduce cooking time in Celsius recipes?
Yes. The time reduction is the same: multiply oven time by 0.8. This applies regardless of whether the temperature is in Celsius or Fahrenheit.