Making Muffins In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to conventional ovens, and they can be used to make muffins. Air-fried muffins are quick and easy to make, and you can add ingredients like blueberries, chocolate chips, or bananas. The cooking time for muffins in an air fryer is typically between 11 and 15 minutes, and you can use silicone or paper muffin cups. However, silicone cups are preferred as they are sturdier and non-stick.

Air fryer muffins: a quick and easy breakfast treat

Air fryer muffins are a perfect breakfast treat, and they are easy and quick to make. You can use a basic vanilla muffin recipe and add any ingredients you like, such as chocolate chips, blueberries, bananas, or walnuts.

Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Butter
• Mild vegetable or canola oil
• Buttermilk
• Sour cream
• Vanilla extract
• Sugar
• Egg

Steps

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Then, in a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and set aside. In another large mixing bowl, whisk together the butter and oil until combined. After that, whisk in the egg, and add the buttermilk, sour cream, and vanilla. Stir to combine, and whisk in the sugar until well combined. Finally, add the flour mixture and whisk until combined. You can also fold in banana chunks, chocolate chips, or blueberries if you like.

Spoon the batter into the prepared silicone cups until almost full. Top with coarse sugar or streusel topping if desired.

Bake at 400°F (204°C) for 4 minutes. Then, without opening the air fryer basket, lower the heat to 325°F (163°C) and bake for another 11 to 13 minutes. To check if the muffins are done, insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin—if it comes out clean, the muffins are ready.

Remove from the oven and let cool in the silicone cups for 5 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely before serving.

Tips

Some air fryer models blow air directly onto the top of the muffins, causing them to form a crust too early and come out deformed. To avoid this, arrange them in the basket so that the air does not blow directly on them. For example, place them along the sides of the basket to avoid the center if your air fryer has a hot spot in the center.

You can also use paper muffin cups, but it is recommended to use them in combination with silicone muffin cups, as the paper cups on their own are not sturdy enough and the batter may run out.

How long to bake muffins in an air fryer

Yes, you can make muffins in an air fryer!

The length of time it takes to bake muffins in an air fryer depends on the type of air fryer you have, the temperature you set it to, and the recipe you are following.

Some recipes suggest a temperature of 350°F (177°C) for 10-15 minutes. However, one recipe recommends lowering the temperature to 325°F (163°C) after four minutes, and then baking for another 11 to 13 minutes.

It's a good idea to check on your muffins regularly as they bake. One source suggests checking on them after five minutes, then again after 10 minutes, and then every two minutes after that until they are done. You'll know they are ready when the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the centre of a muffin comes out clean.

Air fryers tend to cook food faster than conventional ovens, so you'll need to shorten the cooking time recommended for oven-baked muffins.

Air fryer temperature for muffins

Yes, you can make muffins in an air fryer. The temperature and time will depend on the type of muffin you are making and the model of your air fryer.

Air fryers are smaller than convection ovens, so they cook at faster speeds. It is important to monitor your muffins closely to avoid overcooking.

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C).
• Bake your muffins at 350°F (175°C) for 11-15 minutes.
• If your muffins are browning too quickly, lower the temperature to 325°F (163°C) and bake for 11-13 minutes.
• You can also try baking at 330°F for 12 minutes.
• The muffins are done when a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.

It is worth noting that some air fryer models blow air directly onto the top of the muffins, causing them to form a crust too early and resulting in deformed muffins. To avoid this, arrange your muffins in the basket so that the air does not blow directly onto them. For example, place them along the sides of the basket to avoid the centre.

Can you use paper muffin cups in an air fryer?

Yes, you can use paper muffin cups in an air fryer, but it is not recommended. Regular white paper liners are too thin and weak to hold the hot muffin batter without the support of a muffin pan or silicone cups. This can cause the batter to spill out and the paper cups to melt and stick to the muffins. Paper cups can also blow around in the air fryer, getting stuck in the heating element and potentially causing a fire.

If you do choose to use paper muffin cups, it is best to use them in combination with a pan or silicone cups. Silicone cups are a much better option as they are sturdier, reusable, non-stick, and can be filled and transferred into the air fryer without spilling.

Muffin recipes to try in the air fryer

Air fryers are a great alternative to baking muffins in the oven. They are quicker, easier, and more energy-efficient. Here are some delicious muffin recipes to try in your air fryer:

Chocolate Banana Muffins

As the name suggests, this recipe combines the delicious flavours of chocolate and banana. To make these muffins, start by whisking together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together butter and oil until combined, then whisk in an egg, followed by buttermilk, sour cream, and vanilla. Next, whisk in the sugar until well combined. Finally, add the flour mixture and whisk until just combined. If you like, you can fold in banana chunks and chocolate chips. Spoon the batter into silicone muffin cups and bake in the air fryer.

Blueberry Muffins

Blueberry muffins are a classic for a reason! To make these, you'll need flour, rolled oats, brown sweetener (or light brown sugar), baking powder, cinnamon, melted unsalted butter, eggs, and of course, blueberries. Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and the wet ingredients in a separate bowl, then mix them together. Fold in the blueberries and stir. Divide the batter into silicone muffin cups and add them to the air fryer.

Morning Glory Muffins

Morning Glory Muffins are a great option if you're looking for a healthy breakfast muffin. They're packed with good-for-you ingredients like apples, carrots, pecans, and raisins. To make them, combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in a large bowl. Make a hole in the centre and add applesauce, yogurt, honey, vanilla extract, and an egg. Mix until just combined, then fold in the carrots, apples, raisins, and pecans. Scoop the batter into silicone muffin cups and cook in the air fryer.

Basic Vanilla Muffins

This vanilla muffin recipe is a great base that you can use to create a variety of different muffins by adding your favourite ingredients. To make the basic vanilla muffins, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, melted butter, mild vegetable or canola oil, buttermilk, sour cream, and vanilla extract. If you want to make banana muffins, simply replace the sour cream with mashed bananas and add some chopped bananas. For chocolate chip muffins, fold in some chocolate chips and top with coarse sugar. Or, for blueberry muffins, add some blueberries and a streusel topping.

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