✅ Air Fryer Settings
💡 Pro Tips
- Don't overcrowd the basket for best results
- Shake or flip food halfway through
- Check a few minutes early the first time
- Preheat the air fryer 3-5 minutes
📊 Toaster Oven to Air Fryer Conversion Chart
| Toaster Oven Temp | Air Fryer Temp | Time Reduction |
|---|---|---|
| 300°F (150°C) | 275°F (135°C) | 20% less |
| 325°F (165°C) | 300°F (150°C) | 20% less |
| 350°F (175°C) | 325°F (165°C) | 20% less |
| 375°F (190°C) | 350°F (175°C) | 20% less |
| 400°F (200°C) | 375°F (190°C) | 20% less |
| 425°F (220°C) | 400°F (200°C) | 20% less |
| 450°F (230°C) | 425°F (220°C) | 20% less |
🍽️ Common Toaster Oven Foods in the Air Fryer
These are ready-to-use air fryer settings for the foods people most often move over from a toaster oven. They already have the 25°F drop and ~20% shorter time built in — start here, then check a few minutes early and adjust to your model.
| Food | Typical Toaster Oven | Air Fryer Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen french fries | 425°F, 20 min | 400°F, 16 min |
| Chicken wings | 400°F, 35 min | 375°F, 28 min |
| Frozen or leftover pizza | 400°F, 12 min | 375°F, 8–10 min |
| Bacon | 400°F, 15 min | 375°F, 12 min |
| Roasted vegetables | 400°F, 20 min | 375°F, 16 min |
| Chicken breast | 375°F, 25 min | 350°F, 20 min |
| Cookies | 350°F, 12 min | 325°F, 9–10 min |
| Reheating leftovers | 350°F, 10 min | 325°F, 6–8 min |
How to Convert Toaster Oven Recipes to an Air Fryer
A standard toaster oven cooks with radiant heat and little or no fan, much like a small conventional oven. An air fryer adds a powerful fan, so converting from a toaster oven follows the same rule as converting from a regular oven: lower the temperature and shorten the time.
The Simple Rule
Reduce the toaster oven temperature by about 25°F (15°C) and cut the cooking time by roughly 20%. A toaster oven setting of 375°F for 25 minutes becomes about 350°F for 20 minutes in the air fryer. The calculator above adjusts automatically for different foods.
If Your Toaster Oven Has a Convection Setting
Some toaster ovens include a convection fan. If your recipe used that convection mode, the gap is smaller — drop only about 10°F. In that case use our convection oven to air fryer converter for a closer estimate.
Tips for Best Results
The air fryer's basket lets hot air reach the bottom of food, so things that went soggy in the toaster oven (fries, breaded items) come out crispier. Keep food in a single layer, shake or flip halfway, and check a few minutes early since the air fryer runs faster than you may be used to.
A Worked Example: A 400°F, 15-Minute Toaster Oven Recipe
Take a tray of roasted vegetables your toaster oven recipe cooks at 400°F for 15 minutes. Because an air fryer moves air far more aggressively, you drop the temperature about 25°F and shorten the time by roughly 20%: set the air fryer to 375°F for about 12 minutes, shaking the basket once. If your toaster oven recipe was already using its convection setting, the two appliances are much closer — keep the same temperature and just trim a couple of minutes. Either way, check a few minutes early the first time, because the air fryer almost always finishes ahead of the toaster oven.
Common Mistakes When Switching From a Toaster Oven
- Forgetting the smaller basket — a toaster oven tray holds more than most air fryer baskets. Cook in batches rather than crowding, or the food steams instead of crisping.
- Double-counting convection — if your toaster oven recipe already used convection, do not also drop the full 25°F, or the food comes out underdone.
- Not flipping — toaster ovens brown the top; air fryers crisp all over, but only if you flip or shake halfway.
- Using the old timing blindly — air fryers preheat and cook faster, so the toaster oven time is a ceiling, not a target.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert a toaster oven recipe to an air fryer?
Lower the toaster oven temperature by about 25°F (15°C) and reduce the cooking time by roughly 20%. A setting of 375°F for 25 minutes becomes about 350°F for 20 minutes in the air fryer. Check a few minutes early the first time.
Is an air fryer hotter than a toaster oven?
At the same dial setting, an air fryer cooks more intensely because its fan moves hot air faster and its chamber is smaller. That is why you lower the temperature by about 25°F when converting from a standard toaster oven.
Can I use my toaster oven recipes in an air fryer?
Yes. Most toaster oven recipes transfer well — just apply the 25°F lower, 20% faster rule and cook in a single layer. Crispy foods usually turn out better in the air fryer because air reaches all sides of the food.
What if my toaster oven has air fry or convection mode?
Then the difference is smaller. For a convection setting, reduce the temperature only about 10°F. Use the convection oven to air fryer converter for those recipes instead of the standard 25°F reduction.
Do air fryers cook faster than toaster ovens?
Yes, usually about 20% faster for the same food, thanks to the stronger fan and smaller cooking space. Always start checking near the lower end of the converted time.
Are an air fryer and a toaster oven the same thing?
No. They overlap, but they are not the same. A toaster oven is a small conventional oven with radiant elements and, at most, a gentle fan — good for toasting, baking, and reheating a wide tray of food. An air fryer is built around a strong high-speed fan and a compact basket that forces hot air around the food, so it crisps far better and cooks faster, but holds less. For a full breakdown see our air fryer vs toaster oven comparison.
Do I still need an air fryer if I have a toaster oven?
If your toaster oven has a dedicated "air fry" or convection setting, it can handle most of the same jobs, just with a bit less crisping and a larger footprint. A standalone air fryer earns its place if you cook a lot of fries, wings, or breaded foods and want maximum crunch with faster cook times. Many people keep both — the toaster oven for big or flat items, the air fryer for quick, crispy batches.