Air-Fried Cupcakes: Baking Perfection Without An Oven

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. They cook food faster than traditional ovens, preheat quickly, and use hot air to cook food evenly, reducing the need for oil. But can you bake cupcakes in an air fryer?

The short answer is yes. Air fryers can bake pretty much anything, from cakes and muffins to bread and pavlova. Making cupcakes in an air fryer is easy and convenient, and they turn out perfectly fluffy, moist, and delicious. You don't need to preheat the oven, and it's safer for children to bake their own batch from scratch.

There are a few things to keep in mind when baking cupcakes in an air fryer. First, it's best to use silicone or parchment paper cupcake liners, as these are heat-resistant and won't burn or melt. Second, lightly grease the cupcake liners to prevent sticking. Third, the recommended temperature for baking cupcakes in an air fryer is typically around 320°F to 350°F, and the baking time is usually between 10 to 25 minutes, depending on the size of your cupcakes and the power of your air fryer.

So, if you're looking for a quick and easy way to bake cupcakes, give your air fryer a try!

Air fryer cupcake recipes

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to traditional ovens, as they can produce perfectly baked cupcakes in a fraction of the time. Here are some recipes to help you get started on baking cupcakes with your air fryer.

Vanilla Cupcakes

This recipe yields fluffy and delicious vanilla cupcakes.

Ingredients:

• 250 g (2 cups) self-raising flour
• 250 g (1 ¼ cup) caster sugar (superfine sugar)
• 115 g (½ cup) margarine or softened unsalted butter
• 120 ml (½ cup) milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

For the frosting:

• 260 g (2 cups) icing sugar (powdered sugar)
• 115 g (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
• 80 ml (⅓ cup) double/heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract

Instructions:

• Measure all the ingredients into a mixing bowl.
• Beat together with an electric hand mixer until the batter is completely smooth. You might need to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure the ingredients are well combined.
• Use a large cookie scoop to divide the batter between 8 large paper cup cases or a medium scoop if using smaller cupcake liners – you will have 10-12 cupcakes.
• Place the cupcakes in the air fryer basket and bake at 160°C (325°F) for 23-25 minutes for large cupcakes and 18-20 minutes for smaller ones. You do not need to preheat the air fryer.
• Check if the cupcakes have risen and turned golden. Insert a toothpick into the centre of a cupcake to ensure it comes out clean. If not, add a couple more minutes to the cooking time.
• Allow the cupcakes to cool completely before adding any frosting.
• Put all the frosting in a mixing bowl and whisk on low speed to combine the ingredients. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until the frosting holds peaks.
• Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe a generous swirl over the cupcakes. Add sprinkles if desired.

Chocolate Cupcakes

For chocolate lovers, this recipe is a simple one to follow.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ cup vegetable shortening
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

For the frosting:

½ cup chocolate buttercream

Instructions:

• In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda.
• Pour in the milk, then add the shortening, vanilla, and egg.
• Beat on medium speed until all the ingredients are well combined.
• Lightly spray the inside of the silicone cupcake holders with non-stick spray, then place them in the air fryer basket.
• Pour the cupcake batter into the liners, filling them about ¾ of the way full. Do not overfill.
• Air fry the cupcakes at 350°F for 10-12 minutes.
• Allow the cupcakes to cool before frosting.

Basic Cupcakes

This is a simple recipe for those who want to make a small batch of cupcakes (6) in their air fryer.

Ingredients:

• 1 box cake mix (any flavour)
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2 pieces of chocolate

Instructions:

• Mix the box cake with eggs, oil, and vanilla extract.
• In silicone cupcake molds, add 1 tablespoon of cake mix, then 2 pieces of chocolate, and more cake mix on top until you fill half of the cupcake molds.
• Air fry for 8 minutes at 320°F.
• Add marshmallows on top of each cupcake.
• Air fry at 320°F for an additional 2 minutes.

Air fryer cupcake cooking times and temperatures

Air fryer cupcakes are a fun and easy treat to make. They are perfect for last-minute birthday parties or when you want a quick sweet treat. The best temperature to bake cupcakes in an air fryer is typically around 320°F to 350°F (or 160°C to 176°C). The cooking time can vary depending on the size of the cupcakes and the type of air fryer being used, but it usually takes 8 to 25 minutes for standard-sized cupcakes.

For large cupcakes, bake at 160°C (325°F) for 23-25 minutes. For smaller cupcakes, bake at the same temperature for 18-20 minutes. You do not need to preheat the air fryer before baking cupcakes. Check if the cupcakes are done by inserting a toothpick into the center of a cupcake. If it comes out clean, the cupcakes are ready. If not, you can add a couple of minutes to the cooking time.

Air fryer capacities and wattages vary, so you may need to experiment a little to determine the optimal cooking time for your specific air fryer. The size of your cupcake cases will also affect the cooking time. If you bake the cupcakes in batches, the second batch will likely cook quicker than the first, so keep that in mind.

It is recommended to bake cupcakes at a slightly lower temperature without preheating first to avoid them browning too quickly. This is especially important if you are using a box cake mix, as the high temperatures of the air fryer can cause the batter to splatter. If you are using a basket-style air fryer, you will need to use silicone muffin cups. If using muffin tins, you can use paper liners.

Air fryer cupcake liners

Types of Cupcake Liners:

• Silicone Baking Cups: These are reusable and maintain their shape without the need for a baking pan. They are ideal for air fryer cupcakes as they can be placed directly into the air fryer basket. Spraying them with non-stick spray before filling with batter is recommended to ensure easy removal after baking.
• Paper Cupcake Liners: Traditional paper liners can also be used in an air fryer. However, they may cause the cupcakes to spread out wider instead of rising taller. To prevent this, it is recommended to use a muffin tin inside the air fryer or double up the paper liners for added stability.

Sizing and Quantity:

When using silicone baking cups, select the size that best fits your air fryer basket to maximize the number of cupcakes you can bake at once. Standard silicone liners typically come in packs of 12, but you may need to adjust the quantity based on the size of your air fryer. For paper liners, you can use a large cookie scoop for larger liners or a medium scoop for smaller ones, yielding 10-12 cupcakes.

Filling the Liners:

Fill each liner about 3/4 full with batter. Avoid overfilling to prevent the batter from splattering due to the air fryer's fan. The exact amount of batter will depend on the size of your liners.

Baking Instructions:

Place the filled liners in the air fryer basket. The baking temperature and time may vary depending on your air fryer model. For silicone liners, bake at 350°F (176°C) for 10-12 minutes. For paper liners, baking times may be slightly longer, around 18-25 minutes at 325°F (160°C). Always check that the cupcakes are fully baked by inserting a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, they are ready.

Tips:

• You may need to bake the cupcakes in batches if your air fryer cannot accommodate all the liners at once.
• Air fryer cupcakes tend to come out lopsided due to air circulation. This won't be noticeable once they are frosted and decorated.
• While some sources recommend preheating the air fryer to 350°F, others suggest baking at a slightly lower temperature without preheating to avoid overbrowning. Experiment with your air fryer to find the optimal settings.

Air fryer baking tips

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to traditional ovens, allowing you to bake cupcakes without heating up your entire kitchen. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your air fryer when it comes to baking:

Choose the Right Liners

It is recommended to use silicone or parchment paper cupcake liners when baking cupcakes in an air fryer. These liners are heat-resistant and will not burn or melt during the baking process.

Preheat Your Air Fryer

Before you start baking, remember to preheat your air fryer to the specified temperature in your cupcake recipe. This will ensure that your cupcakes bake evenly.

Grease the Cupcake Liners

Lightly grease the cupcake liners with a non-stick spray or oil to prevent the batter from sticking to the liners.

Adjust the Temperature and Baking Time

The recommended temperature for baking cupcakes in an air fryer is typically between 320°F to 350°F. The baking time can vary depending on the size of your cupcakes and the model of your air fryer, but it usually ranges from 10 to 25 minutes. You may need to do a little trial and error to determine the optimal cooking time for your specific air fryer.

Avoid Overfilling the Liners

Fill each liner about two-thirds to three-quarters full to prevent the batter from overflowing. The fan in the air fryer can cause splattering if the liners are overfilled.

Cool Completely Before Frosting

Allow your cupcakes to cool completely before adding any frosting or decorations. This will help the frosting set and ensure your cupcakes look and taste their best.

Get Creative with Flavors and Decorations

Once you've mastered the basic cupcake recipe, feel free to experiment with different flavors and decorations. You can try classic vanilla cupcakes with buttercream frosting or explore unique flavor combinations. The air fryer is a versatile appliance that can help you create perfectly baked treats every time.

Air fryer cupcake flavour variations

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens, especially in hot summers. They can bake pretty much anything, from cakes to muffins, and even pavlova! Here are some flavour variations for cupcakes made in an air fryer:

Vanilla Cupcakes

These fluffy vanilla cupcakes use only six ingredients. They are delicious without any frosting, but you can add your favourite frosting and sprinkles. The ingredients include butter or baking spread/margarine, vanilla bean paste or extract, self-raising flour, caster sugar (superfine sugar), milk, and icing sugar (powdered sugar) for the frosting.

Chocolate Cupcakes

For chocolate lovers, add two teaspoons of cocoa powder and a tablespoon of coffee or milk to the batter. For an even more decadent chocolate flavour, add 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips to the batter and frost with chocolate buttercream.

Lemon Cupcakes

Add a tablespoon of lemon juice and the zest of one lemon to the batter for a refreshing citrus twist.

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Air fryer carrot cake cupcakes are a delicious and easy treat. Use a box cake mix or make your own batter from scratch with flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, milk, vegetable shortening, vanilla extract, and an egg.

Gluten-Free Brownie Cupcakes

For a gluten-free option, you can make brownie cupcakes using a basic dough recipe with 1 egg, 1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 2 cups flour, and 1 cup desiccated coconut. Chill the dough overnight in the fridge to prevent butter leeching, then add your choice of fruit, chocolate, or other mix-ins.

Marshmallow Cupcakes

Instead of frosting, top your cupcakes with marshmallows. Prepare a box cake mix with eggs, oil, and vanilla extract. Add 1 tablespoon of cake mix to silicone cupcake molds, then add 2 pieces of chocolate and more cake mix until half full. Air fry for 8 minutes at 320°F, add marshmallows, and air fry for another 2 minutes.

Frequently asked questions