Air Fryer Cake Baking: Timing For Perfect Results

Air fryers are a great alternative to traditional ovens, especially if you live in a small flat or don't want to turn on the oven during the summer heat. They are essentially mini convection ovens that can be used to bake cakes. The best part? The cooking time is faster than in a traditional oven!

The process is simple: prepare your cake batter, grease a cake pan, fill it up, and pop it into the air fryer. But there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, not all air fryers are created equal, so you might need to experiment with the temperature and cooking time. Secondly, it's important to prep your baking dish properly to prevent sticking. Lastly, be patient and let your cake cool before digging in!

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

Cake batter ingredients

The ingredients you will need for your cake batter will vary depending on the type of cake you want to make. Here are some common ingredients used in cake batters:

• Flour: The type of flour used can vary, but common options include self-raising flour (also known as self-rising flour), plain flour, or cake flour.
• Sugar: Caster sugar (superfine sugar) is often used in cake batters, but other types of sugar can also be used.
• Butter: Unsalted butter or margarine is typically used in cake batters. It should be softened before use.
• Eggs: The number of eggs used can vary, but they are a key ingredient in cake batters.
• Milk: Milk is often used to add moisture to the batter. Buttermilk is a popular choice, as it can enhance the flavour and keep the cake moist and tender.
• Baking powder: This is used as a leavening agent to help the cake rise and give it a light and fluffy texture.
• Vanilla: Vanilla extract, vanilla bean paste, or vanilla powder can be added to the batter to give a subtle vanilla flavour.
• Salt: A small amount of salt can enhance the other flavours in the cake.
• Cocoa powder: For a chocolate cake, unsweetened dark cocoa powder can be added to the flour mixture.
• Lemon zest and juice: For a lemon poppy seed cake, freshly grated lemon zest can be added to the batter, and lemon juice can be added to the buttermilk.
• Poppy seeds: These can be gently folded into the batter to make a lemon poppy seed cake.
• Streusel: This is a mixture of flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and butter that can be used as a topping or filling in coffee cakes.
• Sprinkles or chocolate chips: These can be folded into the batter to make a funfetti or confetti cake.
• Raspberry jam: For a raspberry jam swirl cake, seedless raspberry jam can be swirled into the batter.

Air fryer temperature

• Air fryer baking times and temperatures can vary across brands, so it's important to adjust the time and temperature accordingly.
• It's recommended to bake cakes at a lower heat setting to allow the cake to rise evenly and prevent burning.
• For a 6-inch round cake, a lower temperature of 130°C to 140°C for 25 to 30 minutes is suggested to prevent the cake from burning or browning too quickly.
• Some air fryers have a bake cycle with a default temperature of around 325°F, which is suitable for baking cakes.
• If your air fryer doesn't have a bake cycle, set the temperature to 325°F.
• For a full-size cake, you might need to shield the top with aluminium foil or a heat-safe lid to prevent burning while the centre bakes through.
• If using a smaller cake pan, such as a 6 or 7-inch pan, you will need to adjust the timing accordingly.
• For an 8-inch cake pan, preheat the air fryer to 320°F and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
• To check if the cake is done, insert a toothpick or skewer into the centre. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready. If not, continue baking in small increments until done.

Remember that every air fryer is different, so you may need to experiment with temperatures and timings to find the perfect settings for your cake.

Cake pan preparation

The first step to making a cake in an air fryer is to prepare your cake pan. You will need a cake pan that fits inside the air fryer basket. The size of your air fryer will determine the size of your cake pan. For instance, if you own a smaller air fryer, you may need to use a 6 or 7-inch cake pan. You can use any cake pan or cake tin that fits inside the basket, including metal, glass, ceramic, or silicone.

Once you have your cake pan, it's time to prep it. First, grease the sides and bottom of the pan with shortening or butter. Then, add some flour and tap the pan to remove the excess. This will help the cake release from the pan easily after baking. You can also add a round piece of parchment paper to the bottom of the pan for extra precaution.

If you want to ensure your cake bakes evenly and doesn't dome in the middle, you can use cake strips. Soak the cake strips in water, wring them out, and then wrap them around your pan.

Finally, fill your cake pan with batter until it is a little over halfway full. If you have any leftover batter, you can make cupcakes or fill the pan only halfway and bake in batches.

Now that your cake pan is prepared, it's time to move on to the next step of making your cake in an air fryer!

Filling the cake pan

Firstly, it is important to select the right cake pan for your air fryer. The pan should fit comfortably inside the air fryer basket, with a bit of space around the sides for air circulation. You can use a metal, glass, ceramic, or silicone cake pan, depending on what you have available. If you own a smaller air fryer, you may need to use a 6 or 7-inch cake pan. The size of the pan will also determine the baking time, with smaller pans requiring less time.

Once you have selected the appropriate cake pan, it is time to prepare the pan. Grease the inside of the pan generously with shortening or butter. This step is crucial to ensure that your cake does not stick to the pan. After greasing, dust the pan with flour, tapping the pan to remove any excess. You can also line the bottom of the pan with a round piece of parchment paper for added protection against sticking.

Now it's time to fill the cake pan with your batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan until it is a little over halfway full. This will allow the cake to rise without overflowing. If you have a cake strip, soak it in water, wring it out, and then wrap it around the outside of the pan. Cake strips help to ensure even baking and prevent the cake from doming or cracking in the middle.

If you have any batter leftover, you have a few options. You can bake the remaining batter in a second batch, or you can use it to make cupcakes. Another option is to fill the cake pan only halfway and bake the cake in two layers, but this may affect the cooking time and evenness of the bake.

Finally, before placing the cake pan in the air fryer, double-check that the pan is not overfilled. This could cause the batter to spill over during baking and create a mess in your air fryer.

By following these steps, you will ensure that your cake pan is properly filled and prepared for baking in your air fryer.

Air frying time

Air frying a cake is a simple process, but it may take some experimentation to get it just right. The exact cooking time will depend on the type of cake you are making, the size of your air fryer, and the brand.

As a general rule, air fryers take just a few minutes to preheat—usually between one and three minutes. Once preheated, the cake will need to cook for around 30 minutes, but this can vary from 17 minutes to 35 minutes, or even longer.

It is important to keep an eye on your cake as it cooks. After around 15 minutes, check to see if the cake is browning too quickly. If it is, cover it with a bit of foil.

To check if your cake is done, insert a toothpick or skewer into the middle of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready. If not, put it back in the air fryer for another five minutes or so.

Remember to be very careful when handling the cake pan as it will be extremely hot. If the pan has a handle, do not grab it without wearing an oven mitt or silicone glove.

Frequently asked questions