150°C Oven to Air Fryer: Use 130°C
Drop the temperature by 20°C and cut the time by 20% as a starting point.
Published by the RecipeAirFryer editorial team · How we source times · Updated
Times and temperatures come from our reviewed cooking database. Explanatory text on each page is generated from that entry so the numbers stay consistent.
If a recipe says 150°C, set a typical basket air fryer to 130°C (130°C / 266°F) and plan on about 80% of the oven time. At this oven setting people usually cook delicate cakes, custards, cheesecakes. The 20% rule is a starting point; Cover cakes. Air-fryer fans scorch sugar on top long before the crumb is set.
How to convert 150°C to an air fryer
- 1Read the oven recipe: it calls for 150°C (150°C / 302°F).
- 2Preheat the air fryer to 130°C (130°C / 266°F), not 150°C.
- 3Multiply the oven minutes by 0.8. Example: a small sponge that bakes 30 minutes at 150°C in the oven becomes about 24 minutes at 130°C, foil on the top if the fan colours it early.
- 4Cook in a single layer and check early. Cover cakes. Air-fryer fans scorch sugar on top long before the crumb is set.
Conversion chart
| Oven time at 150°C | Air fryer time at 130°C |
|---|---|
| 10 min | 8 min |
| 15 min | 12 min |
| 20 min | 16 min |
| 25 min | 20 min |
| 30 min | 24 min |
| 40 min | 32 min |
| 45 min | 36 min |
| 60 min | 48 min |
What 150°C is usually used for
In a conventional oven, 150°C is the setting for delicate cakes, custards, cheesecakes. Converting that heat without thinking about the food is why people burn cookies or undercook a joint.
Worked example: a small sponge that bakes 30 minutes at 150°C in the oven. In the air fryer that is about 24 minutes at 130°C, foil on the top if the fan colours it early.
Why the temperature drops
An oven heats mostly by radiation from its elements and by slow convection. An air fryer is a small chamber with a fan driving air across the food at speed, so heat transfers into the surface much faster at the same dial setting.
That is why 150°C in an air fryer would over-brown the outside before the middle caught up. Setting it to 130°C instead gives you the same finish in less time.
What to watch at 130°C
Cover cakes. Air-fryer fans scorch sugar on top long before the crumb is set.
Dense items such as a whole chicken may need close to the original oven time because heat still has to travel to the centre. Go by internal temperature, not only the converted clock.
Gas mark 2 in an air fryer
150°C is roughly gas mark 2. If your recipe is written in gas marks, convert to 150°C / 302°F first, then apply the same drop to get 130°C / 266°F in the air fryer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 150°C in an air fryer?
130°C, which is 130°C / 266°F. Reduce the cooking time by about 20% as well, then check early.
What foods are usually cooked at 150°C?
delicate cakes, custards, cheesecakes. Example conversion: a small sponge that bakes 30 minutes at 150°C in the oven becomes about 24 minutes at 130°C, foil on the top if the fan colours it early in the air fryer.
Why not just use 150°C in the air fryer?
You can, but the outside will brown or burn before the inside is cooked. The fan transfers heat into the food far faster than an oven does, so the lower setting gives a more even result.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
A 2-3 minute preheat helps for anything breaded, frozen or that you want crisp. For longer cooks it makes little difference.