A method for performing a cooking process in at least one cooking chamber of a cooking device involving at least intermittent circulation of the cooking chamber atmosphere by means of a circulating device, wherein during at least one stage of the cooking process at least one first fan propeller of the circulating device is driven around a first axis of rotation in such a manner that at least one first change in direction of rotation (5, 5') takes place from a first state of rotation, in which the first fan propeller is rotated in a first direction of rotation, to a second state of rotation, in which the first fan propeller is rotated in a second direction of rotation opposite the first direction of rotation and, subsequently, a second change in direction of rotation (7, 7') takes place from the second state of rotation to the first state of rotation, and a cycle time is adjusted as the duration of a cycle, comprising at least two first changes in direction of rotation (5, 5'), between which a second change in direction of rotation takes place as a function of at least one first parameter of the cooking process, characterized in that a minimum cycle time and a maximum cycle time are predetermined independently of a parameter of the cooking process, however as a function of a characteristic variable and/or an operating parameter of the cooking device, and the cycle time is selected equal to or longer than the predetermined minimum cycle time of more than zero seconds and shorter than the predetermined maximum cycle time, wherein as the first parameter • at least one cooking parameter in the form of a duration of the cooking process, a duration of the stage of the cooking process, a residual duration of the cooking process, a residual duration of the stage of the cooking process, a cooking chamber temperature, a cooking chamber humidity, a degree of loading and/or a distribution of load in the cooking chamber, and/or • at least one cooking product parameter in the form of a type of cooking product, a cooking product size, a cooking product initial condition, a cooking product temperature, a degree of cooking and/or a degree of hygiene is/are selected, and the characteristic variable is determined from the number and/or arrangement of fan propellers and/or an energy intake, a thermal output, an electrical resistance, an impedance, an ohmic resistance and/or a sound level of the circulating device, and the operating parameter is determined from a period of time for the first change in direction of rotation (5, 5') and/or second change in direction of rotation (7, 7'). • at least one cooking parameter in the form of a duration of the cooking process, a duration of the stage of the cooking process, a residual duration of the cooking process, a residual duration of the stage of the cooking process, a cooking chamber temperature, a cooking chamber humidity, a degree of loading and/or a distribution of load in the cooking chamber, and/or • at least one cooking product parameter in the form of a type of cooking product, a cooking product size, a cooking product initial condition, a cooking product temperature, a degree of cooking and/or a degree of hygiene