Air-Fried Cupcakes: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Treat

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens, especially in hot summers. They are perfect for baking cupcakes in small batches without heating up your house and oven. You can use a box cake mix or make cupcakes from scratch. The cupcakes are light, fluffy, and delicious, and can be made in just about 10-15 minutes. You can also get creative with different flavours and toppings.

How long do cupcakes take to cook in an air fryer?

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens, especially in hot summers. They can bake almost anything, from cakes to muffins, and even pavlova.

The cooking time for cupcakes in an air fryer depends on the size of the cupcakes, the capacity and wattage of the air fryer, and the size of the cupcake cases. For large cupcakes, the cooking time is around 23-25 minutes, and for smaller cupcakes, it's 18-20 minutes. If you are baking a batch of cupcakes, the second batch will bake quicker than the first. It is also recommended to bake cupcakes at a slightly lower temperature without preheating the air fryer first to avoid them browning too quickly.

• Prepare the cupcake batter by mixing the ingredients in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer. For a box cake mix, follow the instructions on the box. For cupcakes from scratch, combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl, then add the wet ingredients and beat until well combined.
• Lightly spray the inside of silicone cupcake holders with non-stick spray, then place them in the air fryer basket. If using paper liners, place them in muffin tins.
• Fill each liner about 3/4 full with batter. Do not overfill, as the fan can splatter the batter.
• Place the cupcakes in the air fryer basket and bake at 160°C (325°F) for the recommended time based on the size of your cupcakes.
• Check if the cupcakes are done by inserting a toothpick into the centre; if it comes out clean, they are ready. If not, add a couple more minutes to the cooking time.
• Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.

Air fryer cupcakes are a fun and easy treat to make, perfect for last-minute birthday parties or when you're craving something sweet.

What temperature should the air fryer be set to?

The temperature you should set your air fryer to depends on the size of your cupcakes. For example, for large cupcakes, you can bake them at 160°C (325°F) for 23-25 minutes. However, for smaller cupcakes, you should reduce the temperature to 180°C (356°F) and bake for 18-20 minutes.

If you are making a small batch of 6 cupcakes, you can bake them at 320°F for 8 minutes, and then for a further 2 minutes with marshmallows on top. Alternatively, you can bake cupcakes at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, or at 330°F for 12 minutes.

It is worth noting that air fryers can vary in their capacity and wattage, so you may need to adjust the temperature and timings accordingly.

What type of cupcake holders should be used?

When making cupcakes in an air fryer, you can use paper cups, cupcake liners, or silicone baking cups. If you are using a basket air fryer, you will need to use silicone muffin cups. If you are using muffin tins, you can use paper liners.

Some recipes recommend spraying the inside of the silicone cupcake holders with non-stick spray before placing them in the air fryer basket.

One source recommends using a metal pan, as they tend to cook better than silicone moulds.

How much batter should be added to each cupcake holder?

When making cupcakes in an air fryer, it is important not to overfill the cupcake holders. The general rule is to fill the cupcake holders about 3/4 of the way full. This is to prevent the batter from splattering when the air fryer fan is turned on.

If you are using a box cake mix, you can fill the cupcake holders with batter according to the instructions on the box. Typically, this will be about 3/4 full. However, if you are making cupcakes from scratch, you will need to be more careful not to overfill the holders. A large cookie scoop can be used to divide the batter evenly between 8 large paper cup cases, or a medium scoop for smaller cupcake liners, which will yield 10-12 cupcakes.

It is also important to note that the size of your cupcake cases will affect the cooking time. If you are baking a large batch of cupcakes, the second batch will bake quicker than the first, so you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

How to decorate cupcakes

Decorating cupcakes is an art, and with the right tools and techniques, you can make your cupcakes look professional. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you decorate cupcakes like a pro:

Tools and Ingredients:

Firstly, gather your tools and ingredients. You will need:

• A batch of your favourite buttercream frosting. It is best to use a simple, sturdy frosting that pipes easily and holds its shape.
• Piping bags: Large, disposable piping bags are recommended as they are easier to handle and require no washing up.
• Piping tips: A set of versatile piping tips will help create different effects and designs. Closed and open star tips are popular choices, along with round tips and French star tips.
• Coupler: This small plastic piece is useful for changing out tips without refilling the bag.
• Icing bag ties or rubber bands: These are used to tie the end of the filled piping bag to prevent icing from oozing out.
• Spatula: This can be used to fill the piping bags and also to create a rustic-style decoration.

Filling the Piping Bag:

Now, it's time to fill your piping bag:

• Place a large pastry tip into the piping bag.
• Cut off the bottom pointy portion of the bag, ensuring the hole is not too big for the tip to fall out.
• Place the bag in a tall glass and fold the opening around the glass.
• Use a spoon or spatula to fill the bag with frosting, only filling it about halfway for easier handling.
• Twist the opening of the bag and secure it with a rubber band or icing bag tie.

Piping Techniques:

Once your bag is filled, you can start piping! Here are some classic piping techniques:

• Classic Cupcake Swirl: Position the piping tip at a 90-degree angle over the cupcake. Squeeze a small amount of frosting in the centre and apply light pressure to create a small dollop. Pipe around this dollop, moving inward and upward to create a swirl.
• Rosette: Hold the bag at a 90-degree angle and start in the centre of the cupcake. Apply pressure and pipe up and around the centre, swirling outward to the edge to create a rose design.
• The Squiggle: Using a petal tip, hold the cupcake at a 45-degree angle. Start with the tip at the top, oriented so the pointed edge is at the top. Apply continuous pressure and move the tip back and forth to the bottom edge, creating a neat ribbon design.

Decorations:

Once your cupcakes are frosted, you can add various decorations to amp up the wow factor:

• Sprinkles: Top your cupcakes with rainbow sprinkles, nonpareils, or something fun and themed.
• Fresh Fruit: Sliced strawberries, lemons, or peaches pressed into the frosting add a fresh, colourful touch.
• Coconut: Sprinkle shredded coconut, toasted or untoasted, over the frosting.
• Nuts: Crushed or chopped nuts like pecans, almonds, or peanuts add texture and flavour.
• Cookies: Crushed cookies, like Oreos, add a crunchy element to your cupcakes.
• Candy: Mini M&Ms, chocolate chips, or chopped chocolate are tasty additions.
• Filling: Before frosting, add a surprise filling, like chocolate ganache.

Storing Decorated Cupcakes:

Finally, here are some tips for storing your beautifully decorated cupcakes:

• Room Temperature: Decorated cupcakes can be stored airtight at room temperature for a day or two.
• Refrigerator: If the cupcakes have perishable fillings or you live in a warm climate, it is best to store them in the fridge and serve at room temperature.
• Freezing: It is not recommended to freeze decorated cupcakes as the frosting may not hold its shape, and decorations may dissolve or discolour. It is best to freeze unfrosted cupcakes.

Frequently asked questions