Air-Fryer Cupcakes: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens, especially in hot summers, as they don't heat up your house. They are perfect for baking cupcakes in small batches, giving you delicious results with minimal effort. The time taken to bake cupcakes in an air fryer depends on the size of the cupcakes, the capacity and wattage of the air fryer, and whether you are using a basket or tin air fryer. On average, cupcakes in an air fryer take between 8 to 25 minutes to bake.

Air fryer cupcakes: a step-by-step guide

Air fryer cupcakes are a fun, easy treat that you can make from scratch or with a box cake mix. They're perfect for last-minute birthday parties or when you're craving something sweet. The best part? You don't need to preheat your oven or heat up your kitchen!

Ingredients:

• 1 box cake mix (any flavour)
• 2-3 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
• 1/2-3/4 cup water or milk
• Your favourite frosting
• Optional: sprinkles, chopped nuts, or other toppings

Equipment:

• Air fryer
• Mixing bowl
• Stand mixer or hand mixer
• Silicone cupcake holders or paper liners
• Small containers or muffin tins (if using paper liners)

Method:

• Prepare the box mix according to the directions. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine the cake mix with eggs, oil or butter, and water or milk.
• Beat or whisk the cake batter until the ingredients are well combined and the batter is smooth and creamy.
• Lightly spray the inside of the silicone cupcake holders with non-stick spray, or use paper liners. Place them in the air fryer basket or on a small containers or muffin tins if using paper liners.
• Pour the batter into the liners, filling them about 3/4 full. Don't overfill, or the batter may splatter.
• Air fry at 325-350°F (160-180°C) for 8-12 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the size of your cupcakes.
• Allow the cupcakes to cool before frosting.

Tips:

• Always allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting or decorating.
• If using paper liners, place them in small containers so they don't fall over in the air fryer.
• You can make cupcakes from scratch by combining equal quantities of butter, sugar, and flour with eggs and vanilla.
• Get creative with flavours and toppings! Try chocolate, lemon, or even carrot cake cupcakes.
• For a more decadent treat, add mix-ins like chocolate chips, sprinkles, or crushed nuts to your batter.

Now you're ready to impress your friends and family with delicious, fluffy air fryer cupcakes!

How to avoid common mistakes when making cupcakes in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens, especially in hot summers. They are perfect for making cupcakessection cupcakes in small batches, giving you delicious results with minimal effort. Here are some tips to avoid common mistakes when making cupcakes in an air fryer:

Mistake 1: Overfilling the paper cases

The first batch of cupcakes may come out looking like they're spilling out and not like classic cupcakes at all. This is because the paper cases were overfilled. To avoid this, fill them only to ¾ or ¼ full.

Mistake 2: Not using the right containers for paper liners

If you're using paper liners, make sure you have something for them to sit on, such as small containers for desserts or Yorkshire puddings. This will prevent them from falling over and getting the air sucked out of them while air frying.

Mistake 3: Not preheating the air fryer

It is best to put food into a hot basket. Preheat your air fryer before adding the cupcakes. This is especially important when baking, as you want the inside temperature to be consistent from start to finish.

Mistake 4: Not allowing the cupcakes to cool before frosting

Always allow the cupcakes to cool completely before frosting or the frosting will melt and slide off. If you're in a hurry, you can place them on a cooling rack to speed up the process.

Mistake 5: Overbaking

Air fryers can cook food very quickly, and cupcakes can go from perfectly cooked to overbaked in a matter of seconds. Keep a close eye on them, especially if you're making a large batch in an oven-style air fryer.

Mistake 6: Not rotating the cupcakes

Due to the strong fan in the air fryer, the batter can sometimes be blown around, resulting in lopsided cupcakes. To avoid this, rotate the cupcakes halfway through the cooking process.

Mistake 7: Not checking the size of your air fryer

Air fryers vary in size and wattage, so you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. If you're using a basket air fryer, you might need to cook the cupcakes in batches.

The best air fryer settings for cupcakes

Air fryers are perfect for whipping up a quick batch of cupcakes. They're fast, convenient, and give you delicious results with minimal effort. Here's a guide to help you get the best out of your air fryer when making cupcakes.

Temperature

Air fryers can cook at a variety of temperatures, depending on the model. For cupcakes, it's best to set your air fryer to a lower temperature than you would use for an oven. This will help to avoid over-browning and ensure your cupcakes cook evenly. A temperature of around 160°C (320°F) is ideal.

Preheating

It's a good idea to preheat your air fryer, especially if you're using a basket air fryer. This will ensure the inside temperature is consistent throughout the cooking process, which is important for baking. Preheat your air fryer to 275°F for about 5 minutes.

Cooking Time

The cooking time for cupcakes in an air fryer can vary depending on the size of your cupcakes and the wattage of your air fryer. As a general rule, cupcakes in an air fryer will take between 8 to 25 minutes to bake. For large cupcakes, aim for a cooking time of around 23-25 minutes, and for smaller cupcakes, 18-20 minutes should be sufficient. If you're making a small batch of 6 cupcakes, they may only need 10 minutes. Always check that your cupcakes are cooked through by inserting a toothpick into the centre; if it comes out clean, they're done.

Containers

You don't need any special equipment to make cupcakes in an air fryer. You can use paper cups, cupcake liners, or silicone baking cups. If using a basket air fryer, it's recommended to use silicone muffin cups. Place your chosen containers in the air fryer basket, ensuring they have a little space between them so they don't touch and create flat areas on your cupcakes.

Filling

Be careful not to overfill your cupcake cases, as this can cause the batter to spill and splatter. Fill your cases only about ¾ of the way full, or even less if you're using paper cases.

Cooling and Frosting

Always allow your cupcakes to cool completely before frosting. Cupcakes can be stored in a cake container for 2-3 days or wrapped and frozen.

How to adapt an oven recipe for an air fryer

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens, especially in hot summers. They are easy to use, cook food quickly, and produce perfectly crispy and juicy food every time. Here are some tips on how to adapt an oven recipe for an air fryer:

• Temperature: Air fryers cook food at a lower temperature than ovens. When adapting a recipe from an oven to an air fryer, reduce the temperature by 25-50°F (or just 25°F for a more precise conversion). For example, if an oven recipe calls for a temperature of 400°F, set your air fryer to 375°F.
• Cooking time: Air fryers cook food faster than ovens. Reduce the cooking time by about 20% when converting an oven recipe to an air fryer recipe. For instance, if the cooking time in the oven is 30 minutes, cook the food for about 24 minutes in the air fryer.
• Check for doneness: Always check your food at the halfway mark to ensure it is cooked properly. You can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of proteins.
• Oil: Air fryers use minimal oil, but a light spray of cooking oil can help your food brown and crisp properly. Use a high-temperature cooking oil, such as avocado or canola oil, and spritz your food lightly before placing it in the air fryer.
• Batches: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook your food in batches to avoid overcrowding the basket.
• Preheat: Preheat your air fryer before adding your food.
• Flip or shake: To ensure even browning, flip or shake your food halfway through the cooking process.

By following these guidelines, you can easily adapt your favourite oven recipes to be cooked in an air fryer. Now, let's apply these guidelines to baking cupcakes in an air fryer.

Cupcakes are a fun and easy treat to make, and they can be baked in an air fryer with similar results to an oven. Here are the steps to adapt an oven cupcake recipe for an air fryer:

• Temperature: Reduce the temperature by 25-50°F. Most oven cupcake recipes recommend a temperature between 325-350°F, so set your air fryer to 325°F.
• Cooking time: Reduce the cooking time by about 20%. Oven cupcake recipes usually have a baking time of 18-25 minutes, so aim for 14-20 minutes in the air fryer.
• Check for doneness: Insert a toothpick into the centre of a cupcake. If it comes out clean, the cupcakes are done. If not, add a couple more minutes to the cooking time.
• Oil: Lightly spray the inside of the cupcake liners or silicone moulds with cooking oil to ensure the cupcakes don't stick.
• Batches: Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may be able to bake 6-9 cupcakes at a time.
• Preheat: Preheat your air fryer before adding the cupcakes.
• Flip or shake: This is not necessary for cupcakes, but make sure to check them at the halfway mark to prevent over-browning.

With these adjustments, you can successfully adapt an oven cupcake recipe for an air fryer and enjoy delicious, fluffy cupcakes without turning on your oven!

Creative cupcake flavour ideas for your air fryer

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens, especially in hot summers. They are also safer for children to bake with. Here are some creative cupcake flavour ideas for your air fryer:

Chocolate Cupcakes

Add two teaspoons of cocoa powder and a tablespoon of coffee or milk to the batter. Decorate with chocolate buttercream and sprinkle with crushed chocolate flakes.

Lemon Cupcakes

Add a tablespoon of lemon juice and the zest of one lemon to the batter.

Chocolate Orange Cupcakes

Follow the instructions for the lemon cupcakes, but replace the lemon extract and milk with two teaspoons of orange extract (not essence). Decorate with chocolate buttercream and top with chocolate chips or segments of Terry's Chocolate Orange.

Cappuccino Cupcakes

Add two teaspoons of instant coffee to the batter. Mix the coffee with one tablespoon of boiling water and leave to cool. Add the coffee and milk after adding the beaten egg and before the flour. Decorate with coffee buttercream.

Salted Caramel Cupcakes with a Gooey Centre

Add one teaspoon of vanilla extract to the batter. To fill the cupcakes, make a hole with a cupcake corer or an apple corer, going only halfway through the cupcake. Fill the hole with good-quality salted caramel sauce. Top with salted caramel buttercream and dress with fudge pieces.

Blueberry and Lemon Cupcakes

Add the zest of one lemon to the butter and sugar when mixing. Beat in the milk after adding the eggs. Press four blueberries into the mixture in each case before decorating with lemon buttercream and topping with a few blueberries.

Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes

Follow the instructions for the basic vanilla cupcake recipe, but use gluten-free self-raising flour and add half a teaspoon of gluten-free baking powder. Decorate with gluten-free buttercream.

Frequently asked questions