Baking Cake In A Dash Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are essentially small, mini convection ovens that use a coil heating element and a mini fan to blow hot air around the inside of the unit, cooking food quickly and efficiently. They can be used to bake cakes, but the results may vary. While an air fryer cake may not be perfect, it can still be a delicious treat and a fun way to experiment with new culinary possibilities.

- Make sure your cake tin fits in the air fryer.

- Preheat the air fryer, especially if your recipe includes baking soda or powder. The initial burst of heat will help your cake rise.

- Adjust the baking time and temperature. Air fryers circulate hot air more efficiently, so they can cook food faster and at lower temperatures. Reduce the temperature by about 10-20 degrees Celsius from what you'd use in a conventional oven.

- Be prepared to adapt and improvise, as not all air fryers are created equal. Check on your cake regularly during the cooking process to see if any adjustments are needed.

- Cover your cake with a lid to prevent over-browning. If you're using a thin, runny batter, cover your cake from the start to prevent splattering.

- Check for doneness with a skewer or toothpick. Insert it into the centre of the cake; if it comes out clean, your cake is ready.

Preheat the air fryer to 350 F (176 C)

Preheating an air fryer is a simple process. It is similar to preheating an oven. First, set the air fryer's temperature to the desired cooking temperature, in this case, 350 F (176 C). Leave the basket in the air fryer so that it heats up as well. This will help toast or sear your food. Then, press the start or preheat button.

Let the air fryer warm up to the set temperature for a few minutes before placing your food in the basket. The amount of time it takes to preheat will depend on the size of your air fryer. Smaller air fryers will preheat faster than larger ones. Most air fryers preheat to 400 F in three to five minutes. A larger air fryer may take four to five minutes to preheat.

Preheating your air fryer will ensure that your food starts cooking at a higher temperature, which will reduce the overall cooking time. It is especially important to preheat your air fryer if your recipe includes baking soda or powder. The initial burst of heat will help your cake to rise.

Use a cake pan that fits the air fryer

Using a cake pan that fits your air fryer is crucial for baking a cake in it. The size of your air fryer does matter, and you should measure the inside of your air fryer basket to select a round pan that is smaller. A cake pan that fits comfortably inside the air fryer basket can be used, and it can be made of metal, glass, ceramic, or silicone.

If you have an air fryer accessory kit, you can use the special cake pan that comes with it. This pan is already the perfect size and has a handle, making it convenient for placing in and taking out of the air fryer.

For those with a smaller air fryer, you may need to use a 6 or 7-inch cake pan, and the timing will need to be adjusted accordingly. It is important to note that the cake pan should be filled a little over halfway to ensure even baking and prevent doming in the middle of the cake.

Additionally, cake strips are optional but recommended. They help keep the cake level while baking, preventing it from doming or cracking in the middle. If you use cake strips, be sure to soak them in water and wring them out before placing them around your pan.

When preparing the cake pan, it is essential to grease the inside with shortening and then coat it with flour. As an extra precaution, you can also place a round piece of parchment paper at the bottom of the pan to prevent the cake from sticking.

Once your cake batter is ready, simply fill the prepared cake pan, place it in the air fryer basket, and you're ready to start baking!

Adjust the baking time and temperature

When baking a cake in an air fryer, it is important to note that the baking time and temperature will need to be adjusted compared to a conventional oven. Air fryers are essentially small mini convection ovens that circulate hot air more efficiently, allowing food to cook faster and at lower temperatures.

Therefore, if you are following a traditional oven recipe, you will need to lower the temperature in your air fryer. As a general rule of thumb, reduce the temperature by about 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit from what you would use in a conventional oven. For example, if you typically bake a sponge cake at 170 degrees Celsius in a fan oven, you would want to reduce this to 160 degrees Celsius for your air fryer.

It is also important to be prepared to adapt and make adjustments as needed, as not all air fryers are created equal. The size and brand of your air fryer, as well as the type of cake you are baking, will all impact the baking time and temperature. For instance, a denser cake may require a lower temperature and longer baking time compared to a lighter, fluffier cake.

Additionally, the size of your cake pan can also affect the baking time. Smaller pans and cakes will generally bake more quickly and evenly than larger ones. It is recommended to use a cake pan that is no bigger than 8 inches in diameter, and some sources suggest that a half-size Bundt pan or a 6-inch round pan works best for air fryers.

To ensure your cake is baked thoroughly, it is recommended to check for doneness rather than relying solely on cooking times. You can do this by inserting a skewer or toothpick into the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready. If not, continue baking in small increments of a few minutes until the skewer comes out clean.

In summary, when baking a cake in an air fryer, remember to lower the temperature by about 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit compared to a conventional oven, and be prepared to adjust the temperature and baking time based on your specific air fryer, the type of cake you are making, and the size of your cake pan. Always check for doneness to ensure your cake is thoroughly baked.

Cover the cake with a lid

Covering your cake with a lid is an important step in the cake-making process when using an air fryer. Here's a detailed guide on why and how to do it:

The intense heat circulation in an air fryer can cause the top of your cake to brown quickly, while the inside remains uncooked. Covering the cake tin with a lid helps prevent over-browning and ensures even cooking. This is especially important if you're using a thick batter, as thinner batters are more prone to splattering and causing liquid damage to the heating element.

Choosing the Right Lid

It's important to use a heatproof lid that fits securely on your cake tin. Avoid using foil unless you can wrap it securely around the tin without disrupting the baking process. A heat-safe frying pan lid or a heat diffuser (burner cover) that fits inside your air fryer bucket can also do the trick.

When to Cover the Cake

Keep an eye on your cake while it's baking. If you notice the top browning too quickly, it's time to cover it. For thinner batters, it's recommended to cover the cake from the start to prevent splattering.

Uncovering for Golden Brown Finish

If you're aiming for a golden brown finish on your cake, you can uncover it during the final few minutes of baking. This will allow the top to brown slightly without burning, giving your cake an appealing colour and texture.

Adapt and Improvise

Remember that every air fryer is unique, and you might need to adapt these guidelines based on your specific model. Be prepared for some trial and error as you get to know your air fryer's quirks and characteristics.

By following these instructions and making adjustments as needed, you'll be well on your way to baking delicious cakes in your air fryer!

Check the cake is done with a skewer

Once the cake is done baking, it's important to check that it's cooked all the way through. The best way to do this is to use a skewer. Insert the skewer into the centre of the cake and if it comes out clean, without any batter on it, then your cake is ready. If there is still some batter on the skewer, then the cake needs to be cooked for a little longer.

It's important to note that the baking time will vary depending on the type of cake you are making and the size of your air fryer. For example, a small cake in a larger air fryer will take longer to bake than a larger cake in a smaller air fryer. Therefore, it's always a good idea to check the cake with a skewer to ensure it's fully cooked before removing it from the air fryer.

Additionally, if the cake is browning too quickly on top but is still not cooked through, you can cover it with a lid or aluminium foil to prevent further browning. This will allow the cake to continue cooking without burning.

It's worth mentioning that air fryers circulate hot air more efficiently than conventional ovens, so they can cook food faster and at lower temperatures. Therefore, you may need to adjust the temperature and baking time when baking a cake in an air fryer.

In summary, checking the cake with a skewer is a crucial step to ensure that your cake is cooked all the way through. By adjusting the temperature, using a lid or foil, and being mindful of the efficient air circulation in air fryers, you can successfully bake a cake in an air fryer.

Frequently asked questions