Air Fryer Baking: Cake Perfection?

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for various cooking and baking tasks, including making cakes. Baking a cake in an air fryer offers several advantages over traditional oven baking. Here are some of the benefits:

- Speed and Efficiency: Air fryers preheat quickly, often in just a few minutes, and bake cakes faster than conventional ovens, making them ideal for satisfying impromptu dessert cravings.

- Moist and Tender Texture: Air fryers circulate hot air around the cake, creating a sealed environment that retains moisture, resulting in incredibly moist and tender cakes.

- Even Baking: Air fryers distribute heat evenly, ensuring your cake cooks uniformly without hot spots or uneven browning, leading to a perfectly baked cake every time.

- Energy Savings: Using an air fryer for small cakes or cupcakes saves energy by avoiding the need to preheat a full-size oven, especially in warm weather.

- Space-Saving: Air fryers are compact and take up less counter space than traditional ovens, making them ideal for kitchens with limited space.

- Easy Cleanup: Air fryer baskets and pans are typically non-stick and easy to clean, making cleanup a breeze with minimal mess.

- Customization: You can experiment with various cake recipes, flavors, and sizes in your air fryer, allowing you to customize your desserts to suit your preferences.

While air fryers offer a convenient and efficient way to bake cakes, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Each air fryer model is different, and you may need to adjust temperatures and cooking times accordingly. Additionally, air fryers typically bake smaller cakes, ranging from 6 to 8 in size, so choosing the right pan size is important.

Overall, baking a cake in an air fryer can be a fun and unique way to enjoy delicious homemade cakes with a moist and tender texture. Whether you're a baking enthusiast or just looking for a quick dessert fix, giving it a try can be a delightful experience.

Air fryer cake baking tips

Choosing a recipe and pan

Air fryer cakes are typically smaller than those baked in a conventional oven, so it's best to start with a basic recipe and a smaller pan. A half-size Bundt pan is a good choice as it allows hot air to circulate through the centre of the cake, but a 6" round pan is also a good option.

Temperature and timing

Air fryers bake at a slightly lower temperature than conventional ovens, so set your fryer to around 320-325°F (160-170°C). The baking time will depend on the size of your pan, but it's likely to be longer than a conventional oven.

Preventing burning

Air fryer cakes can brown more quickly on the outside, so keep an eye on your cake and be prepared to cover it with foil or a heat-safe lid if it starts to burn.

Other tips

• Grease your pan with cooking spray, butter or shortening, and line the bottom with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Leave space at the top of the pan to allow the cake to rise.
• Use room temperature ingredients for the best results.
• Experiment with different flavours and toppings to find your favourite air fryer cake recipe!

Air fryer cake vs oven-baked cake

Air fryers have gained popularity in recent years as a versatile kitchen appliance, and many are curious about whether they can be used for baking cakes. The short answer is yes, it is possible to bake a cake in an air fryer. However, there are some key differences between air fryer cakes and oven-baked cakes that you should be aware of.

Speed and Efficiency:

One of the biggest advantages of using an air fryer for baking cakes is the speed and efficiency it offers. Air fryers preheat quickly, often in just a couple of minutes, which is significantly faster than traditional ovens that can take 25 to 30 minutes to preheat. This makes air fryers ideal for satisfying impromptu dessert cravings without having to wait too long.

Moisture and Texture:

Air fryers circulate hot air around the cake, creating a sealed environment that retains moisture. This results in cakes that are incredibly moist and tender. The rapid circulation of hot air also ensures even baking, with no hot spots or uneven browning, leading to a perfectly baked cake every time.

Size and Portions:

Air fryers are typically smaller than traditional ovens, which means you will need to make a smaller cake. This can be advantageous if you are baking for just yourself or a small group, as you won't end up with a large cake that might go to waste. Air fryers are also space-saving appliances that take up less counter space, making them ideal for kitchens with limited space.

Customization and Versatility:

Air fryers allow for experimentation with various cake recipes, flavors, and sizes. You can easily customize your desserts to suit your preferences. Additionally, air fryers are not limited to cakes; you can also make muffins, brownies, cookies, and other baked goods, expanding your dessert repertoire.

Drawbacks of Air Fryer Cakes:

While air fryers offer many benefits for baking cakes, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. One of the main challenges is that air fryers are not ideal for intricate cake designs that require precise temperature control. The compact size of air fryers also means that you might need to bake in multiple batches if you're making a larger cake.

Tips for Baking Cakes in an Air Fryer:

• Select the right pan that fits comfortably inside your air fryer basket, ensuring it doesn't touch the heating element or the sides.
• Grease and line the pan, even if it's non-stick, to prevent sticking and ensure easy cake removal.
• Monitor the cooking time closely as air fryers cook faster than conventional ovens. Use a toothpick or cake tester to check for doneness.
• Rotate the pan halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking and browning.
• Allow the cake to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

In conclusion, air fryer cakes offer a quicker, more efficient, and space-saving way to enjoy delicious homemade cakes with a moist and tender texture. However, oven-baked cakes might be a better option for intricate designs and larger portions.

Air fryer cake recipes

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for various cooking and baking tasks, including making delicious cakes. Baking a cake in an air fryer offers several advantages over traditional oven baking, such as speed, efficiency, and even baking. Here are some tips and recipes to help you get started with air fryer cake baking.

Tips for Baking Cakes in an Air Fryer:

• Preheat your air fryer before baking to ensure consistent and accurate temperatures.
• Select the right pan size that fits comfortably inside your air fryer basket, allowing proper air circulation.
• Grease and line the pan with non-stick cooking spray or butter, and consider using parchment paper for easy cake removal.
• Monitor the cooking time as air fryers cook faster than conventional ovens. Adjust the temperature if your cake is browning too quickly or slowly.
• Allow the cake to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to prevent it from falling apart.

Air Fryer Carrot Cake:

This recipe uses a round 18.5cm springform tin (7cm depth) that fits inside the air fryer basket. The cake is baked at 175°C for 35-45 minutes. The batter is prepared by creaming together butter and soft brown sugar, slowly adding beaten eggs, and then folding in self-raising flour, orange juice and zest, grated carrots, and sultanas.

Air Fryer Chocolate Cake:

You can use a boxed cake mix or make the cake from scratch. Combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water according to the box instructions. Pour the batter into a greased cake pan and air fry at 320°F for 12-20 minutes. This recipe yields a moist and fluffy chocolate cake.

Air Fryer Banana Cake:

This recipe uses a cake pan that fits inside the air fryer basket. The batter is made with mashed bananas, orange peel, raisins, ginger powder, cinnamon, butter, sugar, egg, and milk. The cake is baked at 150°C for 15 minutes.

Air Fryer Vanilla Cake:

You can use a boxed cake mix or make a vanilla cake from scratch. Combine the cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water according to the instructions. Pour the batter into a greased cake pan and air fry at 320°F for the recommended time. You can decorate the cake with frosting or enjoy it as is.

Air Fryer Red Velvet Cake:

While a recipe is not provided, this cake can be made by combining a red velvet cake mix with the required ingredients, such as eggs, oil, and water. Pour the batter into a greased cake pan and air fry according to the box instructions.

Baking cakes in an air fryer is a convenient and efficient way to enjoy delicious homemade treats. With the right techniques and recipes, you can create moist, tender, and evenly baked cakes that rival those made in a traditional oven. So, get creative and experiment with different cake flavours and toppings using your trusty air fryer!

Air fryer cake troubleshooting

Air fryers are a great alternative to a traditional oven when it comes to baking a cake. However, there are some common issues you may encounter along the way. Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you overcome them and achieve that perfect air-fried cake:

Preventing an uneven bake

To ensure your cake bakes evenly, make sure there is enough space in the basket for air to circulate. Avoid overcrowding by leaving space for air to reach all parts of the cake. You can also shake or turn the cake pan halfway through the cooking process.

Avoiding a burnt cake

If your cake is burning, it may be due to the temperature being too high or the cake pan being too close to the heating element. Use an oven thermometer to check if your air fryer is running hot and adjust the temperature accordingly. Set a timer and check on your cake frequently to prevent overcooking.

Dealing with a soggy or undercooked cake

A soggy or undercooked cake can be the result of not preheating your air fryer or using a batter that is too runny. Always preheat your air fryer to give your cake that initial burst of heat. Also, ensure your batter is the right consistency and adjust the cooking time as needed.

Optimising your recipe for an air fryer

When adapting a traditional oven recipe for an air fryer, reduce the temperature by 20-25°F and decrease the baking time by around 20-25%. For example, if a cake usually takes 30 minutes in an oven, check it after about 21-24 minutes in the air fryer.

Adjusting your ingredients

You may need to adjust your ingredient ratios when baking with an air fryer. Consider increasing moist ingredients slightly to combat the dryer environment. For instance, adding an extra tablespoon of milk or oil can help keep cakes moist. You could also use alternatives like applesauce for added tenderness or oil instead of butter.

Using parchment paper

Using parchment paper is essential when baking in an air fryer. It helps prevent sticking and allows for optimal heat circulation. Cut the parchment paper to fit the basket, ensuring it doesn't cover all the holes. This will ensure even baking and prevent your cake from sticking to the pan.

Maintenance tips

Regular maintenance of your air fryer is key to preventing future issues. Clean it after each use, wiping down the interior and washing the basket. Also, inspect the seals and heating element monthly and replace any damaged parts promptly.

Air fryer cake tins

Silicone Cake Pans

Silicone cake pans are a popular choice for air fryer baking due to their flexibility, non-stick properties, and ease of removal. They are available in various shapes and sizes, such as round, square, and bundt pans, making them versatile for different cake recipes.

Aluminum Cake Pans

Some air fryers come with aluminium cake pans or accessories specifically designed for baking. These pans are durable, conduct heat efficiently, and are safe for use in air fryers.

Mini Cake Pans

Mini cake pans are perfect for making individual-sized cakes or cupcakes in your air fryer. They are ideal for portion control and creating personalised desserts.

Springform Cake Pans

Springform pans are ideal for making cheesecakes or delicate cakes in the air fryer. They have a removable bottom and an adjustable ring, allowing for easy cake removal without damaging its structure.

Oven-Safe Glass Bakeware

Some air fryers can accommodate oven-safe glass bakeware. If your air fryer is compatible, you can use glass cake pans, dishes, or ramekins for baking.

Stackable Cake Pans

Stackable or tiered cake pans are perfect for creating layered cakes in your air fryer. They allow you to bake multiple cake layers simultaneously, saving time and effort.

Cake Barrel Accessory

Some air fryer models offer cake barrel accessories specifically designed for baking cakes. These accessories often come included with the air fryer and provide a convenient option for cake baking.

When choosing an air fryer cake tin, it is important to consider the size and capacity of your air fryer basket to ensure the pan fits comfortably. Always check your air fryer's user manual for specific recommendations or restrictions regarding the types of bakeware that can be used.

Frequently asked questions