If you’ve recently started cooking with an Instant Pot air fryer, you might be wondering how to adjust your regular oven recipes to get the best results. That’s where
our conversion chart becomes your best kitchen companion. Whether you’re roasting vegetables, baking cookies, or crisping up some chicken wings, this chart helps you quickly and accurately adjust oven times and temperatures to suit your air fryer.
Cooking with an air fryer — especially the Instant Pot models — is different from using a regular oven. The air fryer works faster, uses less oil, and gives you crispy, golden food in less time. But to make your recipes work, you need to understand how to make the right changes. In this article, we’ll explain how to use our conversion chart step by step, so you get perfect results every single time.
What Makes the Instant Pot Air Fryer Special?
Before diving into the conversion chart, it’s important to understand how an Instant Pot air fryer works. Unlike a regular oven, an air fryer cooks by circulating hot air quickly around the food. This method creates a crispy outside while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
The Instant Pot air fryer is especially handy because it combines multiple cooking functions in one appliance — like pressure cooking, roasting, baking, and air frying. It’s ideal for people who want to cook meals faster and healthier, without using too much oil or taking up space with multiple kitchen gadgets.
Why You Need a Conversion Chart for Air Fryer Cooking
Oven recipes are everywhere — in cookbooks, blogs, and on food packaging. But using those instructions in your Instant Pot air fryer without changes can lead to overcooked, dry, or uneven food. That’s because:
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Air fryers cook faster than ovens.
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They use direct air flow instead of surrounding heat.
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Food is closer to the heating element.
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Air fryers don’t always need full preheating.
Our conversion chart helps you adjust oven temperature and cooking time specifically for the Instant Pot air fryer. This way, you can enjoy all your favorite recipes — just faster and crispier!
How to Use Our Conversion Chart: Step-by-Step
Let’s say you want to cook an oven recipe that says:
“Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes.”
Using our conversion chart, you can follow these easy steps:
Step 1: Lower the Temperature
Reduce the oven temperature by 25°F (about 15°C) for your air fryer.
So, 400°F becomes 375°F in the air fryer.
This step is important because the air fryer cooks more directly and quickly. Lowering the temperature helps prevent burning and keeps food juicy on the inside.
Step 2: Cut Down the Time
Next, reduce the cooking time by 20% to 25%.
For example:
30 minutes in the oven × 0.80 = 24 minutes in the air fryer.
So your new time and temperature would be:
375°F for about 24 minutes
If you're unsure, always check the food a few minutes early to avoid overcooking.
Step 3: Check and Flip
Midway through cooking, flip the food or shake the basket. This helps the air reach all sides for even browning and crisping — especially for fries, nuggets, or vegetables.
Step 4: Test for Doneness
Use a food thermometer or simply check if the food looks and feels done. Chicken should be juicy but fully cooked (internal temp 165°F), and baked goods should be golden and springy.
Sample Conversion Chart for Oven to Instant Pot Air Fryer
Here’s a simple chart that shows how to convert common oven settings for your air fryer:
Oven Temp (°F) | Air Fryer Temp (°F) | Oven Time | Air Fryer Time |
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425°F | 400°F | 25 mins | 18–20 mins |
400°F | 375°F | 30 mins | 22–24 mins |
375°F | 350°F | 25 mins | 18–20 mins |
350°F | 325°F | 20 mins | 14–16 mins |
325°F | 300°F | 15 mins | 10–12 mins |
This guide is helpful for everyday cooking like chicken, fish, vegetables, or even cookies!
Common Oven Recipes Converted for Instant Pot Air Fryer
Let’s look at some real examples using our conversion chart:
1. Chicken Breasts
Oven Recipe: 400°F for 30 mins
Air Fryer: 375°F for 22–24 mins
Tip: Lightly spray with oil and flip halfway through.
2. Frozen French Fries
Oven Recipe: 425°F for 25 mins
Air Fryer: 400°F for 15–18 mins
Tip: Shake the basket every 5 minutes for even crispiness.
3. Salmon Fillets
Oven Recipe: 375°F for 20 mins
Air Fryer: 350°F for 14–16 mins
Tip: Use parchment paper and avoid overcrowding.
4. Baked Potatoes
Oven Recipe: 400°F for 60 mins
Air Fryer: 375°F for 40–45 mins
Tip: Poke holes in the potatoes and rub with oil.
5. Chocolate Chip Cookies
Oven Recipe: 350°F for 12 mins
Air Fryer: 325°F for 8–10 mins
Tip: Use a baking tray or silicone liner to prevent sticking.
Extra Cooking Tips for Your Instant Pot Air Fryer
Using our conversion chart is just the start. Here are a few expert tips to get even better results:
✅ Preheat When Needed
Some Instant Pot air fryer models have a built-in preheat function. Others don’t. For baked goods or meats, preheating for 3–5 minutes can make a difference.
✅ Use Oil Spray Wisely
A light mist of oil helps crisp up food like fries or chicken. Avoid using cooking sprays that contain propellants, as they can damage the air fryer basket. Use olive oil or avocado oil sprays instead.
✅ Don’t Overcrowd
Air fryers need space for hot air to circulate. Cook in small batches if needed. Stacking food leads to uneven cooking.
✅ Use a Thermometer for Meat
Air frying is fast, but it’s still important to check meat for doneness. A digital thermometer ensures chicken, pork, or fish is safely cooked.
✅ Experiment and Take Notes
Every air fryer model is slightly different. Keep a notebook or notes on your phone where you record what temperature and time worked best for each food.
Air Fryer Conversion for Leftovers
Did you know our conversion chart also works for reheating leftovers?
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Pizza: 350°F for 3–5 mins
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Fried Chicken: 375°F for 6–8 mins
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Fries: 375°F for 5–6 mins
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Burgers: 350°F for 4–6 mins
Air frying reheats food crispy and fresh—much better than the microwave!
What Foods Cook Best in the Instant Pot Air Fryer?
Your Instant Pot air fryer can handle a wide variety of meals. Some of the best foods include:
All of these can be adjusted with our conversion chart for ideal results.
Planning Weekly Meals with the Conversion Chart
Use the chart to plan healthy, fast meals for the whole week. Here’s a sample meal plan:
Day | Recipe | Oven Time | Air Fryer Time |
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Monday | Grilled Chicken & Veggies | 375°F 30m | 350°F 20–22m |
Tuesday | Air-Fried Tacos | 400°F 15m | 375°F 10–12m |
Wednesday | Sweet Potato Wedges | 425°F 30m | 400°F 20 mins |
Thursday | Stuffed Peppers | 375°F 40m | 350°F 28 mins |
Friday | Baked Salmon | 375°F 20m | 350°F 15 mins |
Final Thoughts: Make Every Meal a Success
Cooking with the Instant Pot air fryer is a game-changer — and using our conversion chart helps you turn almost any oven recipe into a quick, healthy, and tasty air fryer meal. With the right temperature and time adjustments, your food will come out crispy, juicy, and perfectly cooked every time.
Whether you're making a family dinner, preparing snacks, or baking a quick dessert, the Instant Pot air fryer can do it all. Just keep the chart nearby, follow the steps, and you’ll become a confident air fryer cook in no time.