Air-Fried Sponge Cake: A Quick, Easy Treat

Making a sponge cake in an air fryer is a fun and easy way to bake a delicious treat! It's a simple process that yields a light, fluffy, and moist cake. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you make the perfect air-fried sponge cake.

First, gather your ingredients. You'll need basic components like flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and milk. You can also add vanilla extract for flavouring. It is recommended to use room-temperature ingredients, including softened butter and eggs, for the best results.

Next, prepare your air fryer by preheating it to a temperature between 150-160 degrees Celsius. While it's preheating, you can mix your cake batter. Combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, and then add the wet ingredients. Beat the mixture with an electric mixer until you have a smooth batter.

Now, it's time to bake! Grease an 8-inch cake pan or use a silicone cake pan that fits comfortably in your air fryer. Pour the batter into the pan and place it in the air fryer. Bake for around 30-45 minutes, depending on your air fryer model. Check if the cake is done by inserting a skewer or toothpick into the centre; if it comes out clean, your cake is ready!

Once baked, remove the cake from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. You can then decorate your sponge cake with buttercream, chocolate frosting, or a simple dusting of icing sugar.

There you have it! A delicious sponge cake made right in your air fryer. Enjoy your freshly baked treat, and feel free to experiment with different flavours and fillings. Happy baking!

Choosing the right tin

Most recipes recommend using a round cake tin with a diameter of 6, 7, or 8 inches. The depth of the tin is also important, as the batter should not fill the tin more than halfway. A deeper tin will require a longer baking time.

Silicone cake pans are a popular choice for air fryer baking because they are easy to remove the cake from and require no greasing or scrubbing. Traditional metal cake tins can also be used, but they may need to be greased or lined with baking parchment to prevent the cake from sticking.

It is important to note that using a smaller tin than the one specified in a recipe will require a longer baking time, as the batter will be deeper. Similarly, using a larger tin may result in a shorter baking time.

When preparing the tin, it is recommended to grease the base and sides with butter or margarine and line the base with baking parchment or paper. This will help ensure that the cake does not stick to the tin and make it easier to remove the cake once it is baked.

Preparing the batter

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For a basic sponge cake, you will need flour, sugar, butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. You may also want to add a pinch of salt and/or baking powder. If you are making a Victoria sponge cake, you will also need jam and cream or buttercream for filling. Ensure all your ingredients are at room temperature before you begin.

Next, measure out your ingredients using digital scales. The exact quantities will depend on the size of your cake, but a typical sponge cake recipe might include 250g of flour, 250g of sugar, 115g of butter, 120ml of milk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 3-4 eggs.

Now it's time to mix your ingredients. Using a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the flour and sugar. Stir to combine. Then, add the butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla. Beat the mixture together using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl as needed. Mix until the batter is smooth, which should take around a minute. If you are making a Victoria sponge, you can also add a little lemon juice at this stage for extra flavour.

If your air fryer has a preheat function, set it to 150-160°C while you prepare the batter.

Once your batter is ready, it's time to bake your cake! Grease your cake tin with butter and line it with baking parchment or greaseproof paper. Pour the batter into the tin and level it out. Place the tin into the air fryer basket and set the temperature to 150-160°C. The baking time will depend on the size of your cake and the power of your air fryer, but for a typical sponge cake, bake for 30-45 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

And that's it! You've prepared your sponge cake batter and are now ready to bake it in your air fryer.

Preheating the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in making a sponge cake. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

First, ensure your air fryer is set to the correct temperature. The ideal temperature for baking a sponge cake in an air fryer is around 150-160°C (300-320°F). Different air fryers may have different preheating functions, so refer to your air fryer's instructions to set the temperature accurately.

Next, prepare your cake tin or mould. Use a tin or mould that comfortably fits inside your air fryer's drawer or basket. A standard 8-inch cake tin or 6-inch silicone mould usually works well. Grease the tin or mould with butter or margarine, and line the base with baking parchment or paper to prevent the cake from sticking.

Once your cake tin is ready, it's time to preheat your air fryer. Set the timer for about 25-30 minutes, depending on your air fryer model. This preheating step is essential to ensure your air fryer reaches the desired temperature before you put your cake batter in.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your cake batter. This usually involves mixing the dry ingredients (like flour, sugar, and baking powder) and wet ingredients (like butter, eggs, and milk) separately, and then combining them. Refer to your specific sponge cake recipe for the exact ingredients and their quantities.

After the preheating timer goes off, carefully open the air fryer drawer or basket and place your cake tin inside. Close the drawer or basket gently to avoid spilling the batter.

Now, set the timer for the actual baking time, which is typically around 30 minutes at 160°C (320°F), followed by an additional 10 minutes at a lowered temperature of 150°C (300°F). This two-step baking process ensures your sponge cake bakes evenly and doesn't burn.

Remember that every air fryer is different, so the baking times and temperatures may vary slightly. Always refer to your air fryer's instructions and your specific sponge cake recipe for the most accurate information.

Baking the cake

Preheat your air fryer to 150–160°C. Grease your cake tin/tins with butter and line with baking paper. If you're using a silicone cake pan, you don't need to grease it.

In a mixing bowl, add the butter and sugar and mix with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This process is called creaming. Add the eggs, milk and vanilla extract and mix with an electric hand mixer. Then, add the flour and baking powder and mix until smooth.

Pour the batter into your cake tin/tins and place in the air fryer. Bake at 150–160°C for 20–30 minutes. If your cake tin is larger than 6 inches, you may need to bake for longer. Check if the cake is done by inserting a skewer or toothpick into the centre—if it comes out clean, the cake is ready. If not, bake for a further 5 minutes.

Remove the cake from the air fryer and leave to cool in the tin for 5–10 minutes. Then, turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. If you're making a Victoria sponge cake, slice the cake in half horizontally to create two layers.

Decorating the cake

Now for the fun part: decorating your air fryer sponge cake!

Filling and Icing

There are many ways to fill and ice your cake. Here are some suggestions:

• Whipped cream and jam
• Buttercream icing
• Chocolate frosting
• Lemon curd
• Fresh cream

Fruit

Fresh fruit is a great way to decorate your cake. Here are some options:

• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Seasonal fruit

Other Decorations

You can also add other decorations to your cake, such as:

• Icing sugar, for dusting
• Mini meringues
• Rose-shaped piping nozzle, for a decorative cream layer
• Sprinkles

Frequently asked questions