Air Fryer Cake: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to conventional ovens for baking cakes. They are faster, more energy-efficient, and keep the kitchen cool. However, cakes baked in air fryers can sometimes have a crispy crust and an under-baked centre. To overcome this, you can use a simple recipe, select the right pan, determine the appropriate time and temperature, and prevent the cake's top crust from burning.

You can use a boxed cake mix or make the batter from scratch. The batter is then poured into a cake pan that fits inside the air fryer and baked for around 30 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Choosing a recipe

When choosing a recipe, it's important to keep it simple, especially if you're new to baking cakes in an air fryer. Start with basic recipes and familiarise yourself with the unique characteristics of your particular air fryer. You can find several simple cake recipes online, such as a single-layer chocolate cake or a vanilla/yellow cake. These recipes typically use everyday ingredients and are a great foundation for learning how to bake in an air fryer.

Additionally, consider the size of your air fryer when choosing a recipe. Many air fryers can accommodate an 8-inch round pan, but smaller pans are often more successful as they bake more quickly and evenly. A half-size Bundt pan or a 6-inch round pan are good options to ensure even baking and prevent the cake from burning.

Remember, the key challenge when baking a cake in an air fryer is to get the centre fully baked without burning the crust. Therefore, choosing a suitable recipe and pan size is essential for achieving the perfect air fryer cake.

Selecting the right pan

It's worth noting that smaller pans are often more successful for baking cakes in air fryers because they bake more quickly and evenly than larger pans. The challenge with air fryers is to bake the cake all the way through to the centre without burning the crust. Therefore, a half-size Bundt pan (about 3-cup capacity) is an ideal choice, as it allows hot air to circulate through the centre of the cake, baking it more evenly.

Any type of cake pan can be used, including metal, glass, ceramic, or silicone. However, it's important to ensure that the pan is heat-resistant and doesn't dome in the middle. Using cake strips can help with even baking and prevent the sides from browning too much, but they are not essential.

Additionally, it's recommended to line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and grease it with cooking spray, shortening, or flour to prevent the cake from sticking.

Determining time and temperature

Determining the time and temperature for baking a cake in an air fryer depends on the type of air fryer you have, the size of the cake pan, and the desired doneness of the cake. Here are some general guidelines and tips to help you determine the optimal time and temperature for baking a cake in an air fryer:

• Most air fryers have a bake cycle or a default temperature setting for cakes. For example, the Gourmia air fryer has a bake cycle temperature of 325°F, while other air fryers may have a default temperature of 320°F or 350°F.
• The baking time will depend on the size of your cake pan. Smaller pans, such as a 6" or 7" pan, will require less time, usually around 20-25 minutes. Larger pans, such as an 8" or 9" pan, may need a longer baking time, up to 30-40 minutes.
• It's important to remember that the chief challenge of baking a cake in an air fryer is to get the center of the cake fully baked without burning the crust. Therefore, it's recommended to bake at a lower temperature for a slower bake. For example, you can set your air fryer to 320°F or 325°F instead of a higher temperature.
• Keep in mind that all air fryers are different, and you may need to experiment with the time and temperature settings to find the perfect combination for your particular air fryer. The preheating time for air fryers is usually very short, around 2-3 minutes, so it's easy to make adjustments.
• To check if your cake is done, insert a toothpick or skewer into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready. If not, continue baking in small increments of 5 minutes or less, and check again.
• If the top of the cake is browning too quickly, you can cover it with aluminium foil or a heat-safe frying pan lid to prevent it from burning while the center finishes baking.
• Some air fryers may not require preheating, so check your air fryer's instructions or experiment to see what works best for your cake.

Preventing the cake's top crust from burning

To prevent the top crust of your cake from burning, you'll need to shield it from burning as it bakes through. You have a few options:

• Drape aluminium foil over the cake once it's nearly as brown as you like. The foil will slow down any further browning while the centre of the cake bakes through. However, the convection fan may blow the foil around, leaving your cake only partially covered.
• Use something weightier to shield the cake, such as a heat-safe frying pan lid or a heat diffuser (burner cover).
• Add an edible topping baked straight into the cake, such as streusel or a broiled coconut and sugar topping.

Remember, the key challenge when baking a cake in an air fryer is getting the centre of the cake fully baked before the crust gets too dark. So, baking at a lower temperature for longer is often the best approach.

Storing the cake

Storing your air fryer cake is an important step to ensure that it stays fresh and delicious. Here are some detailed instructions on how to properly store your cake:

• Allow the cake to cool completely before storing it.
• If you plan to consume the cake within a few hours, you can keep it at room temperature, uncovered, on a cooling rack or a plate.
• For longer storage, it is recommended to store the cake in an airtight container or wrap it securely in plastic wrap or aluminium foil.
• If your cake is frosted, it should be refrigerated to maintain its freshness.
• The unfrosted cake can be stored at room temperature for up to five days, while the frosted cake will last for about three to five days in the refrigerator.
• For extended storage, you can freeze the unfrosted cake. Make sure it is completely cooled before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and placing it in an airtight container. The cake can be frozen for up to two to three months.
• To thaw a frozen cake, let it sit in the refrigerator overnight, and then bring it to room temperature before serving.
• You can also reheat the cake in the microwave or the air fryer at 300°F for about three to five minutes.

By following these storage instructions, you can enjoy your air fryer cake for several days while maintaining its freshness and flavour!

Frequently asked questions