Air Fryer Baking: Timing For Perfect Results

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens. They are incredibly versatile and can be used to bake anything from cakes to cookies and even pizza. The general rule of thumb is to lower the temperature by 25°F and bake for 20-25% less time than you would in a regular oven. For example, if a recipe calls for 60 minutes in the oven, you would only need to air fry for 48 minutes.

Air fryers are also much quicker to preheat than ovens, taking just a couple of minutes to heat up. This means you can have freshly baked bread in under 10 minutes!

How long to bake a cake in an air fryer

Baking a cake in an air fryer is a little different from baking it in a conventional oven. Air fryers are like mini convection ovens, with a high-powered fan that sits on top and rapidly circulates hot air throughout its compact chamber. This means that cakes can sometimes end up overly brown on the outside and underbaked on the inside. However, with the right recipe and a few simple tweaks, you can bake a delicious cake in your air fryer. Here's what you need to know.

Choosing a recipe and pan

When choosing a recipe, keep it simple. Basic recipes without a lot of wet ingredients will work best in an air fryer. It's also important to select the right pan. Many air fryers can't accommodate anything bigger than an 8-inch round pan, and smaller pans are better because they bake more quickly and evenly. A half-size Bundt pan or a 6-inch round pan are good options.

Time and temperature

Most air fryers have a bake cycle with a default temperature of around 325°F. This is a good temperature to use for baking a cake, as air fryers are essentially small convection ovens, which bake most effectively at a slightly lower temperature. The baking time will depend on the size of your pan, but it will probably be a bit longer than what a conventional oven recipe calls for. Remember, the challenge is to get the centre of the cake fully baked before the crust gets too dark, so it's better to bake at a lower temperature for longer.

Preventing the cake's top crust from burning

One of the challenges of baking a cake in an air fryer is that the top crust can burn before the centre is fully baked. To prevent this, you can cover the cake with aluminium foil once it's almost as brown as you like, or use a heat-safe frying pan lid or a heat diffuser to shield the top of the cake. Another option is to add an edible topping midway through the bake to protect the cake's top and eliminate the need for frosting.

Tips for success

• Use the recipes that come with your air fryer booklet to get a sense of how it bakes, then start experimenting with similar recipes and techniques.
• Lower the temperature by 25°F and bake for 20-25% less time than a conventional oven recipe recommends.
• Preheat the air fryer for baked goods that rely on chemical or yeast leaveners, so they get an initial burst of heat to help with rising.
• Use a metal cake pan instead of a glass one, as metal pans deliver more even, properly baked results.

How to bake bread in an air fryer

Preparation

Before you start baking, it's important to understand how an air fryer works. Air fryers are not actually fryers but mini convection ovens with a few adjustments. While a conventional oven's convection fans are at the back, an air fryer's high-powered fan is at the top and rapidly circulates hot air throughout its compact chamber. This means that an air fryer can cook and bake in a fraction of the time needed to achieve the same outcome in a conventional oven.

Air fryers are great for baking anything that should be crisp and crunchy on the outside and soft and moist on the inside. This makes them ideal for baking bread.

To get started, you'll need a basic bread recipe and the right equipment. Make sure you have a cake pan that fits comfortably inside your air fryer; you can use metal, glass, ceramic, or silicone. For the best results, use a half-size Bundt pan (about 3-cup working capacity) or a 6" round pan. These smaller pans will give you a greater chance of success because the fryer's chief challenge is baking the bread all the way through without burning its crust.

Baking

Preheat your air fryer to 320-325°F (160-150°C). Most air fryers will take just a couple of minutes to preheat, whereas a conventional oven can take 25-30 minutes.

Once your air fryer is preheated, place your prepared bread dough into the pan and put the pan into the air fryer basket. For smaller loaves of bread and dinner rolls, the baking time will be around 15 minutes. For larger loaves, the baking time will be longer, and you may need to cover the loaf with foil or a heat diffuser partway through to prevent the top from burning.

To check if your bread is baked, insert a skewer or toothpick into the middle of the loaf. If it comes out clean, your bread is done. If not, continue cooking in 5-minute increments until the skewer comes out clean.

Tips

• When adapting a conventional recipe for an air fryer, lower the temperature by 25°F and reduce the cooking time by 20-25%.
• Preheat your air fryer for any baked goods that rely on a chemical or yeast leavener so they get an initial burst of heat to help with rising.
• If you're baking a wet dough, consider using a metal cake pan instead of a glass pan. Glass bakeware conducts heat slowly, whereas the air fryer dispenses heat quickly from the top, which can lead to an unevenly baked loaf.
• Always preheat your air fryer, especially when baking goods that rely on heat for rising, browning, and flakiness.
• If you're baking a large loaf, you may need to flip the bread halfway through the baking time to ensure it cooks evenly.
• If you're baking a wet dough, consider reducing the amount of liquid in your recipe.

How to bake biscuits in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great alternative to conventional ovens. They are incredibly versatile, efficient, and can be used to bake anything from biscuits to cakes and even pizzas.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Air Fryer

Firstly, you need to make sure that you have the right air fryer for the job. Most air fryers are not large enough to hold anything bigger than an 8” round pan. If you are looking to bake biscuits, it is recommended to use a metal cake pan instead of a glass bowl or pan. Metal pans will deliver more even and properly baked results.

Step 2: Preparing the Dough

When preparing the dough, it is important to use room temperature ingredients. You can soften butter by blasting it in the microwave on the defrost setting for a few seconds. If your eggs are cold, submerge them in warm water for a few minutes.

Step 3: Preheating the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 325°F. Most air fryers will take only a few minutes to preheat, as opposed to a conventional oven, which can take up to 30 minutes.

Step 4: Baking the Biscuits

Place the prepared dough into the air fryer basket, making sure that it is in a single layer. If you are baking a large batch, you may need to bake the biscuits in batches.

Set the timer for 10-15 minutes. Check the biscuits halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and to prevent overcooking or burning.

Step 5: Checking for Doneness

Insert a skewer or toothpick into the centre of one of the biscuits. If it comes out clean, the biscuits are done. If the skewer comes out wet or with moist crumbs, continue to cook for a few more minutes.

Step 6: Cooling the Biscuits

Once the biscuits are done, remove them from the air fryer using oven mitts and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips for Success:

• Always preheat your air fryer before baking.
• Lower the temperature by 25°F and bake for 20-25% less time than a regular baking recipe.
• For baked goods that rely on chemical or yeast leaveners, preheat the air fryer to give the dough an initial burst of heat to help with rising.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Always fry your foods in a single layer to ensure even cooking and crispness.
• Flip the biscuits halfway through the cooking time to fry them evenly and prevent overcooking or burning.

How to bake pizza in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great alternative to conventional ovens when it comes to baking pizza. They are incredibly efficient, versatile, and yield a crispy, cheesy pizza with a golden brown, evenly baked crust. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the perfect air-fried pizza.

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

You can use store-bought pizza dough, rolled-out crescent rolls, or a tortilla. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even make your own dough from scratch. For two personal-sized pizzas, you will need a 12-inch piece of dough.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 375° Fahrenheit. This temperature will ensure that your pizza cooks evenly and achieves the desired crispiness.

Step 3: Cook the Crust

Place the pizza crust in the air fryer and cook it for about 3 minutes. This step is crucial as it helps create a crispy base for your pizza. Remember to flip the crust halfway through to ensure even cooking and prevent a white bottom.

Step 4: Assemble the Pizza

Once the crust is pre-cooked, it's time to add your favorite toppings. Start by spreading a layer of pizza sauce over the crust. You can use store-bought tomato sauce or make your own homemade marinara sauce.

Step 5: Add Cheese and Toppings

Now, it's time to add the cheese! Mozzarella cheese is a classic choice for its creamy texture and rich flavor. It creates those delicious, stretchy cheese pulls we all love. You can also experiment with other cheeses like Buffalo Mozzarella or a mix of different varieties.

In addition to cheese, feel free to add any other desired toppings. Just remember not to overload the pizza, as this might affect cooking time and evenness. Some popular topping options include fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, cooked shredded chicken, and vegetables like green peppers, onions, or black olives.

Step 6: Cook the Pizza

Place the assembled pizza back into the air fryer and cook at 375° Fahrenheit for about 7-8 minutes. Keep an eye on the pizza to ensure it doesn't overcook. The pizza is done when the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 7: Enjoy!

Let the pizza cool down slightly before digging in—it will be piping hot! Then, enjoy your freshly baked, air-fried pizza with a crispy crust and all your favorite toppings.

Tips for Success:

• Use an air fryer parchment paper liner to make it easier to get the pizza in and out of the air fryer without messing up your masterpiece.
• If using homemade dough that requires pre-baking, cook the crust at 400° Fahrenheit for 3 minutes before adding toppings.
• To prevent toppings from flying around, use an air fryer rack or cover them with foil.
• For an extra crispy crust, brush the crust with olive oil before cooking.
• Reheat any leftovers in the air fryer at 320° Fahrenheit for 4-5 minutes to retain that crispy texture.

Now you're ready to become an air-fried pizza master! Enjoy experimenting with different toppings and impressing your friends and family with your delicious creations.

How to bake cookies in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great alternative to baking cookies in the oven. They are quicker to preheat, use less energy, and keep your kitchen cool. Plus, you can bake just a few cookies at a time if you don't want to make a full batch. Here's how to bake cookies in an air fryer:

Preparing the Cookie Dough

First, make your cookie dough. You can use your favourite recipe or try this one:

• Mix butter and sugars (white and/or brown) until creamy.
• Add an egg and vanilla and beat again.
• Mix in the dry ingredients (plain flour, cornflour, bicarbonate of soda, and salt) until a cookie dough forms.
• Fold in chocolate chips.

Baking the Cookies in the Air Fryer

• Line the basket of your air fryer with parchment paper. You can pierce holes in the paper, but this isn't necessary.
• Place 3-6 cookies in the air fryer basket. Don't overcrowd them—they should have some space around each cookie.
• Bake at 150-160°C for 10-14 minutes for regular-sized cookies or 13-15 minutes for larger cookies.
• For frozen cookie dough, add 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
• For a giant cookie, bake for 8-13 minutes.
• Let the cookies cool for a few minutes before removing them from the air fryer. They will still be very soft, so it's best to remove them on the piece of parchment paper.

Tips for Baking in an Air Fryer

• Start with the recipes that come with your air fryer. Once you understand how your air fryer works, you can branch out and try similar recipes.
• Lower the temperature by 25°F and bake for 20-25% less time than a regular oven recipe.
• Preheat the air fryer for baked goods that use a chemical or yeast leavener (baking soda, baking powder, yeast, etc.) so they get an initial burst of heat to help with rising.
• Use metal pans instead of glass for more even baking results.

Frequently asked questions