Air Fryer Baking: Cake Pans Possible?

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to traditional ovens, especially when you want to avoid heating up your kitchen. You can bake cakes in an air fryer, but it's not as simple as transferring your usual recipe from an oven to an air fryer. The key difference is that air fryers cook food faster and more efficiently, so you'll need to adjust the temperature and time to avoid overcooking or burning your cake.

To bake a cake in an air fryer, you'll need to select the right pan. Many air fryers can only accommodate pans up to 8 inches in diameter, and smaller pans are preferable as they bake more quickly and evenly. A half-size Bundt pan is a good option, as it allows hot air to circulate through the centre of the cake, helping to bake it evenly.

You'll also need to adjust the temperature and time to suit your air fryer. Most air fryers have a lower default temperature for their bake setting, typically around 325°F, and you may need to experiment with the time to ensure your cake is baked all the way through without burning. It's a good idea to check your cake regularly while it's baking and cover the top with foil or a heat-safe lid if it's browning too quickly.

While baking a cake in an air fryer requires some adjustments and experimentation, it can be a fun way to explore new possibilities with this versatile kitchen appliance.

Air fryer cake pans

When choosing a cake pan for your air fryer, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you need to ensure that the pan fits into your air fryer. The best size for basket-type air fryers is a 5-8 inch round or square cake pan, or a 6-cup bundt pan. Secondly, choose a pan that isn't too deep or tall so that it doesn't touch the top of the air fryer or the heating element. Shallower pans will also help your cake bake faster. Thirdly, consider the colour of the pan. Dark-coated pans absorb and distribute heat faster, which can be helpful for recipes like pizza but may not be ideal for cakes as they tend to brown more evenly in light-coloured pans.

When preparing your cake pan, you can grease and flour the inside of the pan, or grease and line it with parchment paper. You can also use cake release, a mix of shortening, flour, and vegetable oil, which can be purchased or made at home.

During baking, it is important to adjust the time and temperature to suit your air fryer. Most cakes bake at around 325-350°F (166-176°C) for 12-20 minutes, but this will depend on the size of your air fryer and the type of batter. It is recommended to lower the temperature by about 10-20 degrees compared to a conventional oven. Additionally, you may need to cover your cake pan with a lid or aluminium foil to prevent the top of the cake from browning too quickly.

With the right tools and techniques, you can successfully bake cakes in your air fryer!

Air fryer cake prep

Choosing a pan

Firstly, you need to select the right pan for your air fryer. The best size for basket-type air fryers is a 5-8 inch round or square cake pan, or a 6-cup bundt pan. You also need to consider the depth of your air fryer and choose a pan that isn't too deep or tall so that it doesn't touch the heating element. The more shallow the pan, the faster the cake will bake.

Preparing the pan

Once you've chosen the right pan, you need to grease it. There are three ways to do this: grease and flour the pan; grease and line it with parchment paper; or use cake release (also called cake goop), which is a mix of shortening, flour, and vegetable oil.

Adjusting the recipe

Air fryers circulate hot air more efficiently than conventional ovens, so you'll need to reduce the temperature and baking time from what the recipe states. For example, if you usually bake a sponge cake at 170 degrees in a fan oven, you should reduce this to 160 degrees in the air fryer. You'll also need to be prepared to adapt and improvise as not all air fryers are created equal, and you may need to do some trial and error to get to know your specific model.

Covering the cake

If you notice the top of the cake browning too quickly, you can cover the pan tightly with foil to reduce the rate at which it browns. This will also help to trap heat in the pan and speed up the baking process.

Checking for doneness

As baking in an air fryer is not an exact science, you should check for doneness by inserting a skewer into the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready.

Air fryer cake temperature and timing

Air fryers are essentially small, mini convection ovens. They can be used to bake cakes, but the results may not be as perfect as those baked in a traditional oven. Air fryers are great for baking cakes if you want to avoid heating up your kitchen, are baking in small portions, or want to reduce the time spent preheating your oven.

Temperature and Timing:

• Preheat your air fryer for about 3 minutes. Air fryers heat up quickly, so a short preheat time is sufficient.
• Set the temperature between 320-350°F (160-176°C). Air fryers circulate hot air more efficiently than conventional ovens, so they can cook food faster and at lower temperatures.
• The baking time will depend on the size of your cake pan. A smaller pan will require less time, while a larger pan may need more time. As a reference, a 7-inch cake pan baked at 320°F for 25-30 minutes.
• Be prepared to adapt and improvise as you get to know your specific air fryer. Check on your cake regularly during the baking process to ensure even baking and to prevent over-browning.
• If your cake is browning too quickly, cover it with a heatproof lid or aluminium foil. This will slow down the browning process while the centre of the cake continues to bake.
• The cake is done when a toothpick or skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Other Tips:

• Use a cake pan that fits your air fryer. Smaller pans are recommended as they bake more quickly and evenly than larger ones.
• Prepare your cake pan by greasing it with shortening or non-stick cooking spray, and lining the bottom with parchment paper.
• If using a cake mix, follow the box directions for combining the ingredients. If baking from scratch, use a simple recipe until you get the hang of baking in an air fryer.
• If your cake has a crispy crust and an under-baked centre, lower the temperature and bake for a longer time.

Air fryer cake burning

Air fryers are a great alternative to ovens for baking cakes, especially in hot weather, as they use less energy and don't heat up your kitchen. However, they can be prone to burning your cake, so here are some tips to prevent that.

Firstly, it's important to choose the right pan. Many air fryers can't accommodate anything bigger than an 8-inch round pan, and smaller cakes are better as they bake more quickly and evenly. A half-size Bundt pan is a good option as it allows hot air to circulate through the centre of the cake, and a 6-inch round pan is ideal for smaller cakes.

You'll also need to adjust the time and temperature. Air fryers bake most effectively at a slightly lower temperature than ovens, so reduce the temperature by about 25 degrees Fahrenheit and the cooking time by about 20%. For example, if your recipe calls for a temperature of 170 degrees Celsius in a fan oven, reduce this to 160 degrees Celsius in the air fryer.

To prevent the top of your cake from burning, you can cover it with foil or a heat-safe frying pan lid once it's almost as brown as you like. This will slow down any further browning while the centre of the cake continues to bake. Alternatively, you can add an edible topping midway through the bake, such as streusel or chocolate chips, which will protect the top of the cake from burning and save you from having to frost it later.

Finally, be prepared to adapt and improvise. Not all air fryers are created equal, so you may need to experiment with different times and temperatures to get the perfect cake. Always check your cake regularly while it's baking and be prepared to adjust the settings as needed.

Air fryer cake baking tips

Choose the right pan

Air fryers are usually 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 for many air fryers, especially the smaller bucket-type fryers. This is because the centre tube funnels hot air through the cake's centre, matching the air fryer's convection baking.

Adjust the temperature and time

Air fryers circulate hot air more efficiently than traditional ovens, so you will need to reduce the temperature and time you would usually use. Lower the temperature by about 10-20 degrees and check on the cake regularly.

Be prepared to adapt

Not all air fryers are the same, so be prepared to adapt and improvise. You may need to do some trial and error to get to know your air fryer.

Cover your cake

If the top of your cake is browning too quickly, cover the cake pan with a heatproof lid to prevent further browning. If you are using a thin, runny batter, cover your cake from the start to prevent splattering.

Check for doneness

As baking in an air fryer is not an exact science, check that your cake is done by inserting a skewer into the centre. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready.

Frequently asked questions