Emilie Meyer
Air fryers are incredibly versatile kitchen appliances that can be used to make a variety of dishes, from breakfast pancakes to roast dinners and even desserts. One of the most intriguing possibilities is using an air fryer to bake a cake. While it may seem unconventional, baking a cake in an air fryer is not only possible but also offers several advantages, such as faster cooking times and the convenience of not having to use a traditional oven. However, there are some challenges and special considerations to keep in mind when baking a cake in an air fryer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat temperature | 350°F (176°C) |
| Preheat time | 1-3 minutes |
| Baking temperature | 320°F (160°C) to 350°F (176°C) |
| Baking time | 17-30 minutes |
| Baking pan | 7-inch, greased with shortening or cooking spray, and lined with parchment paper |
| Cake mix | Store-bought or homemade |
| Cake type | Chocolate, lemon, vanilla, apple, Biscoff, etc. |
| Cake consistency | Light, fluffy, soft, and moist |
| Advantages | Faster cooking time, smaller portions, easy to clean, healthier |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cake-making process. It ensures that your cake rises evenly and helps to prevent burning on top. While not all air fryers have a preheat setting, it is still recommended to give your air fryer a few minutes to heat up before putting your cake in. This is especially important if your recipe includes baking soda or powder, as the initial burst of heat will help your cake to rise.
The ideal preheating time for an air fryer is around three minutes. During this time, you can set up the rest of your ingredients and prepare the batter. It is also a good opportunity to grease your pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
The preheating temperature will depend on the recipe you are using and the type of cake you are making. Common preheating temperatures for cakes range from 320°F to 350°F (160°C to 180°C). However, if you are making a cake that requires a lower temperature, such as a pound cake or banana bread, you may need to preheat your air fryer to around 325°F.
It is important to note that air fryers circulate hot air more efficiently than traditional ovens, so they can cook food faster and at lower temperatures. Therefore, if you are adapting a traditional oven recipe, it is recommended to reduce the temperature by about 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
By preheating your air fryer and making the necessary adjustments to temperature and cooking time, you can help ensure that your cake turns out moist and delicious.
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Prepare the cake pan
Preparing the cake pan is an important step in the cake-making process. First, ensure you have a cake pan that fits inside your air fryer. You can use a special air fryer cake pan, or any cake pan that fits. If you are making cupcakes, you can use a cupcake pan. If you don't have a cupcake pan, you can turn your cupcake pan upside down, form 5" square pieces of tin foil over the exterior of the pan cups, and place a paper liner inside.
Once you have your cake pan, grease the inside with shortening or cooking spray, and then flour it. You can also use a cake strip, which you should soak and wring out before use. Cake strips help to promote even baking and prevent the sides of the pan from browning too much or cooking more than the middle of the cake. They also stop the cake from doming in the middle.
Finally, place a round piece of parchment paper on the bottom of the pan. You can also line the sides of the pan with parchment paper, which will help to prevent sticking. Now your cake pan is ready for the batter!
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Adjust the temperature
Adjusting the temperature is crucial when baking a cake in an air fryer. Air fryers circulate hot air more efficiently than traditional ovens, so they can cook cakes faster and at lower temperatures. Therefore, if you're following a conventional oven recipe, you'll need to reduce the temperature for the air fryer.
The ideal temperature for baking a cake in an air fryer depends on the model and your personal preferences. Some sources suggest setting the air fryer to 350°F (176°C) for a cake that is light and fluffy. However, others recommend lowering the temperature to 320°F (160°C) or even 300°F (150°C) to prevent the cake from browning too quickly or burning.
It's important to note that not all air fryers are created equal, and the minimum temperature settings may vary between models. For example, the SMEG air fryer has a minimum temperature setting of 180°C, which is higher than the temperatures typically used for baking cakes in air fryers. As a result, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
To ensure your cake bakes evenly, it's recommended to preheat your air fryer for 1 to 3 minutes before placing the cake pan inside. During baking, keep a close eye on your cake, especially after the 15-minute mark, as air fryers can sometimes cause cakes to brown or cook too quickly. If you notice this happening, you can cover your cake with foil or a lid to prevent the top from burning.
Lastly, remember to write down your time and temperature settings. That way, if your cake turns out well, you'll know what to do next time. Conversely, if it doesn't turn out as expected, you'll know what adjustments to make.
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Check the cake is baked
Checking if your cake is baked through is a crucial step in the cake-making process. After all, no one wants a crispy crust and an under-baked centre!
First, you should visually check the cake. Is it springy to the touch? If the top of the cake is browning too quickly, you should cover it with foil, a lid, or a yummy topping.
Next, you can try the toothpick test. Insert a skewer or toothpick into the middle of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is baked. If the skewer comes out wet or with moist crumbs, continue cooking the cake in 5-minute intervals until the toothpick comes out clean.
Another way to check if your cake is baked is to use an instant-read thermometer. Insert the probe into the middle of the cake, ensuring it doesn't touch the bottom of the pan, and check that the temperature is around 209°F (98°C).
Finally, remember that air fryer cakes can be prone to being undercooked or burnt, even if you follow the recipe exactly. This is because air fryers vary in temperature and cooking time depending on the brand. Therefore, it is important to check your cake regularly and trust your instincts. If it doesn't look or feel done, it probably isn't!
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Remove the cake from the fryer
When the timer goes off, put on your oven mitts and carefully remove the cake pan from the air fryer. Place it on a heat-proof surface and remember to keep your hands and arms away from the hot air fryer. The cake is likely to be very hot, so be cautious and avoid touching it with your bare hands.
The cake may be ready to serve at this point, but it is essential to check that it is fully baked. To do this, insert a skewer or toothpick into the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean, without any wet batter or crumbs, the cake is cooked through and ready to be served. If not, the cake will need to be placed back into the air fryer to cook for a little longer.
If the toothpick comes out with wet batter, the cake will need to bake for another 5 minutes or so. If the toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs, the cake is almost done and may only need an extra 2-3 minutes. It is important to keep checking the cake at short intervals to avoid overcooking.
If the cake is browning too quickly, you can cover it with foil to prevent burning. This will help to ensure that the top of the cake does not burn, while allowing the inside to continue cooking. You can also use a cake strip, which helps to promote even baking and prevents the sides from browning too much or doming in the middle.
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Frequently asked questions
First, you will need a cake pan that fits inside your air fryer. Prep the pan by coating it with a combination of air fryer-safe cooking spray and/or shortening, and line it with parchment paper. Fill the pan with your favourite cake batter until it is a little over halfway full. Place the pan into the air fryer basket and bake for around 30 minutes at 160°C (320°F). Lower the temperature to 150°C (300°F) and cook for a further 10 minutes. Check whether the cake is baked by inserting a skewer or toothpick in the middle of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done.
Air fryer baking times and temperatures can vary with each brand, so you may need to experiment with your specific air fryer to determine the perfect cooking time and temperature. If the top of the cake is browning too quickly, cover it with foil. If your recipe includes baking soda or powder, preheat the air fryer as the initial burst of heat will help the cake rise.
You can use a boxed cake mix or make your own batter from scratch. Air fryer cakes tend to bake faster than those done in a traditional oven, so you may need to lower the temperature and adjust the cooking time. Some cake recipes that work well in an air fryer include chocolate cake, banana bread, pound cake, and lava cakes.
