Air Fryer Baking: Pigeon-Style Cake Perfection

Air fryers are versatile kitchen appliances that can be used to make a variety of dishes, including cakes. Baking a cake in an air fryer is a straightforward process that yields delicious results. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make a cake in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter

You can use a store-bought cake mix or make your own cake batter from scratch. If using a cake mix, simply follow the instructions on the box. If making your own batter, combine the dry ingredients and any extra ingredients in a large mixing bowl and whisk or use a hand mixer.

Step 2: Prepare the Cake Pan

Use a cake pan that fits comfortably inside your air fryer basket. Grease the inside of the pan with shortening, butter, or cooking spray, and then dust it with flour. You can also line the bottom of the pan with a round piece of parchment paper to prevent the cake from sticking.

Step 3: Fill the Pan

Fill the cake pan with the batter until it is a little over halfway full. If you have a cake strip, soak it in water, wring it out, and then place it around your pan to ensure even baking and prevent doming.

Step 4: Set the Air Fryer Temperature and Time

Set your air fryer to a temperature between 320-350 degrees Fahrenheit (160-176 degrees Celsius). Set the timer for around 20 minutes, but be prepared to adjust the time as needed, as different air fryers may require slightly different temperatures and cooking times.

Step 5: Place the Cake Pan in the Air Fryer

Allow the air fryer to heat up for a minute or two, and then carefully place the cake pan inside the air fryer basket and slide it back into the air fryer.

Step 6: Check the Cake for Doneness

After 17-18 minutes, slide the basket out of the air fryer and check the cake with a toothpick. If the toothpick comes out clean, the cake is ready. If not, put it back in the air fryer for a few more minutes.

Step 7: Allow the Cake to Cool

Once the cake is done, remove it from the air fryer and place the pan on a hot pad or wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes. Then, flip the cake over, remove it from the pan, and let it cool completely.

Step 8: Decorate the Cake

Once the cake has cooled, you can decorate it with frosting, sprinkles, chocolate chips, or any other toppings of your choice.

Choosing the right pan

• Size: Select a cake pan that fits comfortably inside your air fryer basket. Ensure that the pan doesn't touch the heating element or the sides of the air fryer to allow proper air circulation. The size of the pan will depend on the capacity of your air fryer. Many air fryers can accommodate a standard 8" round pan, but smaller pans are often recommended to ensure even cooking and to prevent the cake from burning.
• Material: Silicone, aluminum, and oven-safe glass cake pans are all suitable for use in an air fryer. Silicone pans are popular due to their flexibility, non-stick properties, and ease of removal. Some air fryers come with aluminum pans or accessories specifically designed for baking. Glass cake pans, dishes, or ramekins can be used if your air fryer accommodates oven-safe glass bakeware.
• Shape: Round, square, and bundt pans are commonly used in air fryers. Bundt pans, with their center tube, can be particularly effective in air fryers as they allow hot air to circulate through the center of the cake, promoting even cooking.
• Accessories: Some air fryers offer cake barrel accessories or stackable/tiered cake pans that are ideal for creating layered cakes. If your air fryer comes with oven-safe accessories, they can be a convenient option for cake baking.

When choosing a cake pan for your air fryer, always refer to the user manual for specific recommendations or restrictions regarding the types of bakeware that can be used. It is also important to note that while air fryers can accommodate various pan materials, it is essential to check the user manual to ensure that it is safe to use metal bakeware in your particular model.

Preparing the cake batter

• Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, including flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Whisk them together until they are well mixed.
• Add in the wet ingredients, such as oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla extract. You can also add a splash of vinegar to enhance the chocolate flavour. Mix until you have a smooth batter.
• If you like, you can also add some mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit.

If you're using a store-bought cake mix, follow the instructions on the box. Typically, you will need to add eggs, vegetable oil, and water to the mix. You can also add your own mix-ins to customise the flavour and texture of your cake.

Once your batter is ready, it's time to prepare your cake pan. Grease the inside of the pan with shortening or butter, and then dust it with flour. You can also line the bottom of the pan with a round piece of parchment paper to prevent the cake from sticking.

Filling up the pan

Firstly, prepare your cake batter by following a homemade recipe or the instructions on a cake mix box. In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients, such as flour, baking powder, and sugar. Then, add any liquid ingredients, such as oil, milk, and eggs. Use a whisk or an electric mixer to blend the ingredients until you have a smooth and lump-free batter. If desired, you can also add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to enhance the flavour.

Next, it's time to prepare your cake pan. Grease the inside of the pan generously with shortening or butter. This step is important to ensure that your cake doesn't stick to the pan. After greasing, dust the pan with a thin layer of flour, tapping the pan to remove any excess. As an extra precaution, you can also place a round piece of parchment paper at the bottom of the pan.

Now, it's time to fill up the pan with your cake 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 during baking. If you have any cake batter leftover, you can make some cupcakes or fill the pan in batches and bake multiple cakes.

If you are using cake strips, soak them in water and then wring them out before placing them around your pan. Cake strips are optional but can help ensure even baking and prevent the cake from doming and cracking in the middle.

There you have it! Your pan is now filled and ready to be placed in the air fryer. Remember to set the temperature and timer according to your cake recipe, and always be careful when handling the hot pan. Enjoy baking your cake in the air fryer!

Air frying time and temperature

• Preheat Your Air Fryer: It is essential to preheat your air fryer before adding the cake batter. Most air fryers will preheat in just a few minutes, which is much faster than a traditional oven. Set the temperature to 320°F (160°C) to 350°F (176°C). Some air fryers may have a "bake" setting, so refer to your user manual for specific instructions.
• Baking Time: The baking time for your cake will depend on the size and type of cake you are making. A typical cake in an air fryer will take around 17 to 25 minutes to bake. However, it is important to monitor the cake's progress as air fryers cook faster than conventional ovens. Use a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the centre of the cake to check for doneness. If the toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the cake is ready. If not, continue baking in 5-minute increments until done.
• Prevent Overcooking: Keep a close eye on your cake as it bakes. If you notice that the top is browning too quickly, cover it with aluminium foil. This will prevent over-browning and ensure the cake bakes evenly.
• Rotate the Pan: For even baking and to prevent uneven browning, consider rotating the cake pan halfway through the baking process.
• Allow for Cooling Time: After removing the cake from the air fryer, let it cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the cake set and prevents it from falling apart.
• Experiment and Adjust: Every air fryer model is different, so you may need to experiment with the temperature and timing to find the perfect settings for your cake. Start with the recommended temperature and time, and make adjustments as needed based on your air fryer's performance.

Checking the cake for doneness

After 17 to 18 minutes of baking, slide the basket out of the air fryer. Now, it's time for the toothpick test. Poke the top of the cake in the middle with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready.

However, it's unlikely that the cake will be done in this short amount of baking time, and you will probably need to cook it for longer. The total baking time will depend on the type of cake you are making. For example, a simple vanilla or chocolate cake might take around 25 minutes, but a more complex cake could take up to 30 minutes or more.

If the toothpick test indicates that the cake is not done, slide the basket with the cake back into the air fryer and set the timer for another 5 minutes or so. Be very careful when handling the basket and cake pan, as they will be extremely hot.

If the cake is not done and the top is getting too brown, place a piece of aluminium foil over it before cooking it for a little longer. This will help to prevent over-browning and ensure that the cake cooks through evenly.

Once the toothpick comes out clean, your cake is ready to be removed from the air fryer. Place the pan on a hot pad or wire rack and allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes. Then, flip the cake over, remove it from the pan, and place it on a wire rack to cool completely.

After the cake has cooled, you can decorate it as you like. Add some delicious homemade buttercream frosting or use store-bought frosting. Sprinkle chocolate chips, sprinkles, or any other toppings of your choice. Enjoy your freshly baked air fryer cake!

Frequently asked questions