Air Fryer Baking: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are not just for frying! You can bake with them too, and they're especially handy for small-batch baking and cooking when it's too hot to use a conventional oven.

The air fryer is essentially a small convection oven with a high-powered fan that sits on top and rapidly circulates hot air throughout its compact chamber. This means it can cook and bake in a fraction of the time needed to achieve the same outcome in an oven.

You can bake anything from cookies to cakes, rolls, biscuits, pizza, and even lasagna in an air fryer. However, you may need to make some adjustments to the baking time and temperature, and you'll need to be prepared for some trial and error.

Air Fryer Baking Tips and Tricks

Air fryers are not just for frying! They are essentially mini convection ovens that can be used for baking as well. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your air fryer when it comes to baking.

Understanding How an Air Fryer Works

The air fryer's high-powered fan sits on top and rapidly circulates hot air throughout its compact chamber, allowing it to cook and bake much faster than a traditional oven. This makes the air fryer ideal for small batch baking and cooking when you don't want to heat up your entire kitchen.

What the Air Fryer is Good at Baking

The air fryer is perfect for achieving a contrast between a baked exterior and a soft, plush interior. Baked goods that work well include dinner rolls, cinnamon buns, cookies, and biscuits. It's also great for anything that should be crisp and crunchy, like granola! And if you're making a dessert that requires a water bath, like cheesecake, the air fryer is a great option.

Tips for Air Fryer Success

• Start with the recipes that come in your air fryer's instruction booklet. This will give you a sense of how the manufacturer intends the air fryer to be used and how their recipes turn out. From there, you can start experimenting with your own recipes and adjustments.
• Lower the temperature by 25°F and reduce the baking time by 20-25% compared to a regular oven recipe. This is because the air fryer's compact interior and powerful fan cause food to cook faster.
• Preheat the air fryer if your recipe relies on a chemical or yeast leavener (baking soda, baking powder, or yeast) to help the batter rise properly.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Allow some space between your food to ensure proper air circulation and even cooking.
• Always preheat your air fryer before using it to ensure optimum cooking conditions and to avoid under-baked goods.
• Clean your air fryer regularly to avoid a buildup of crumbs, which can burn and produce an unpleasant smell.
• Grease your pans or racks with oil or butter to prevent sticking and add flavor.

The Best Recipes to Make in an Air Fryer

Now that you know the basics of air fryer baking, here are some recipes that work particularly well:

• Cookies: The air fryer creates a crispy exterior and a gooey, molten interior.
• Cheesecake: The air fryer's convection feature browns the exterior quickly while baking the interior slowly, making it ideal for cheesecakes.
• Rolls and bread: The air fryer can bake fresh bread and rolls in under 10 minutes, making it a great option when you're short on time or oven space.
• Pizza: The air fryer yields crispy, cheesy pizza with a golden brown, evenly baked crust.

Air Fryer Cake Baking

Air fryers are not just for frying; they are also great for baking cakes. Here are some tips for baking a cake in an air fryer.

Choosing a Recipe

Keep the recipe simple. Basic recipes are best for air fryers as they can be tricky to bake. A single-layer chocolate cake is a good place to start.

Select the Right Pan

Most air fryers are not large enough to hold anything bigger than an 8-inch round pan. Smaller pans are better as they bake more quickly and evenly than larger ones. A half-size Bundt pan is a good choice as it holds a typical cake recipe amount and its centre tube funnels hot air through the cake.

Time and Temperature

Air fryers with a bake cycle will have a default temperature of around 325°F. If your air fryer doesn't have a bake cycle, set the temperature to 325°F. The baking time will be longer than a regular oven, and you may need to experiment to get it right.

Prevent the Cake's Crust from Burning

As the air fryer browns the outside of cakes quickly, you will need to shield the top of the cake from burning. You can use aluminium foil, a heat-safe frying pan lid, or a heat diffuser. Alternatively, add an edible topping to the cake halfway through baking to protect the crust and save you from having to frost the cake.

Other Tips

• Use a metal cake pan instead of a glass bowl or pan.
• Preheat the air fryer, especially if your recipe relies on a chemical or yeast leavener.
• Leave the cake to cool in the pan for at least 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
• If your kitchen is warm, place the cake in the fridge or freezer to chill before adding frosting.
• Add frosting ingredients slowly to prevent mess.

Air Fryer Baking Adjustments

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens, especially when you're baking in small batches or when it's hot outside. They are also perfect for those who don't have a lot of space or those who want to save energy.

However, baking in an air fryer requires some adjustments to get the best results. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your air fryer:

Temperature and Timing Adjustments

When using an air fryer, it is generally recommended to reduce the temperature by 25°F (or 14°C) and bake for 20-25% less time than a conventional oven. This is because air fryers circulate hot air more efficiently, cooking food faster and at lower temperatures.

Preheating

Preheating your air fryer is essential, especially if your recipe includes baking soda or powder. The initial burst of heat will help your baked goods rise properly. However, some bakers recommend not preheating the air fryer when making cookies, as they may come out worse.

Bakeware

When it comes to bakeware, you may need to make some adjustments to fit your air fryer. Parchment paper is a great option for cookies, bread, and biscuits as it prevents sticking and is cheaper than a baking sheet. You can also find pre-cut parchment paper liners with holes for air circulation. If using foil, make sure it's wrapped securely around your bakeware to prevent it from blowing off and touching the heating element.

Recipes to Try

Air fryers are perfect for small batch baking and recipes that require a contrast between a baked exterior and a soft interior, such as cookies, cinnamon buns, and dinner rolls. They are also great for baked goods that need a water bath, like cheesecakes.

Recipes to Avoid

Air fryers may not be the best option for thin batters, such as chiffon and sponge cakes, as the batter can get scattered during baking and create a mess. They are also not ideal for very small baked goods like choux pastry, madeleines, or mini cupcakes, as they would need to be baked in multiple batches, affecting the rising power of the batter.

Final Thoughts

Baking in an air fryer requires some trial and error, and you may need to adapt recipes to suit your specific air fryer model. Always remember to preheat, adjust temperatures and timings, and avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure even cooking. With some practice, you'll be able to create delicious baked goods with your air fryer!

Air Fryer Baking Do's and Don'ts

Air Fryer Baking Dos and Don'ts

Air fryers are not just for frying. They can be used for baking as well. However, there are certain things to keep in mind when using an air fryer for baking.

Dos

• Preheat the air fryer if your recipe includes baking soda or powder. The initial burst of heat will help your cake to rise.
• Use an air fryer for small-batch baking.
• Reduce the temperature by 25°F and bake for 20-25% less time than a traditional oven.
• Use the recipes that come with your air fryer booklet to get a sense of how it works before branching out.
• Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and to keep your baked goods from falling through the openings in the air fryer's basket.
• Check for doneness with a skewer.

Don'ts

• Overcrowd the pan/basket.
• Forget to clean your air fryer after use.
• Attempt to bake very small items like choux pastry, madeleines, or mini-sized cupcakes.
• Bake anything with cheese as a topping—it will melt and be hard to clean up.

Air Fryer Baking vs Oven Baking

Air fryers are essentially small, powerful convection ovens. They use a fan to rapidly circulate hot air throughout their compact chamber, cooking food more quickly than a conventional oven. This makes them ideal for small-batch bakes, and for when it's too hot to turn on the oven.

However, they are not a one-for-one swap. Air fryers are smaller, so they can usually only cook one dish at a time, and they are less suitable for recipes that require a lot of liquid batter. They are also less effective at browning the bottom of baked goods, and can dry out cakes.

If you're adapting a recipe designed for the oven, you should reduce the temperature by 25°F and the cooking time by 20-25%. You may also need to cover your food with foil to prevent burning.

Air fryers are best for recipes that require a contrast between a baked exterior and a soft interior, such as chocolate chip cookies, Basque-style cheesecakes, and bread rolls.

Frequently asked questions