Marianne Martinez
Air fryers are a convenient alternative to ovens for baking cakes. In this guide, we will be focusing on how to make a carrot cake in an air fryer. This classic cake is a favourite for many and can be made in an air fryer in just 25 to 45 minutes. The recipe can be adapted to your preference, including the addition of nuts, raisins, or coconut, and can be topped with a simple cream cheese frosting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cooking time | 25-45 minutes |
| Ingredients | Flour, sugar, eggs, oil, orange juice, carrots, walnuts, pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg, butter, icing sugar, cream cheese, lemon juice, vanilla extract, baking soda, salt, coconut, pineapple, mascarpone, cornflour |
| Equipment | Air fryer, cake tin, mixing bowls, wire rack, electric whisk, grater, knife, chopping board, peeler, spatula, cake leveller, turntable |
| Temperature | 160-185°C |
| Recipe yields | 1 cake, 2-6 cake rounds, or 1-8 cake rounds |
What You'll Learn
Ingredients and measurements
The ingredients and their measurements for making carrot cake in an air fryer are as follows:
- Flour: 175g to 200g of self-raising flour.
- Sugar: 140g to 225g of soft brown sugar or light brown soft sugar.
- Carrots: 175g to 220g of grated carrots (approximately 2 to 3 medium carrots).
- Eggs: 2 to 3 eggs.
- Butter: 75g of unsalted butter.
- Oil: 1/2 cup of vegetable or canola oil.
- Spices: 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of mixed spice, and a good grating of nutmeg.
- Raisins: 60g of raisins (tossed in flour).
- Nuts: 60g of chopped walnuts or pecans, plus extra for decoration.
- Orange: 1 orange, zest and juice.
- Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon of baking soda or bicarbonate of soda.
- Salt: A pinch of salt.
- Cream Cheese: 150g of Philadelphia Soft Cheese.
- Icing Sugar: 270g to 3 cups of icing sugar.
- Lemon Juice: 1 to 2 teaspoons of lemon juice.
Please note that the measurements may vary slightly depending on the recipe used and the size of your air fryer. Some recipes also include additional ingredients such as coconut, crushed pineapple, and vanilla extract.
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Preparing the batter
To prepare the batter for an air fryer carrot cake, you will need a large mixing bowl, a wooden spoon, a whisk, and a scraper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. You can use an electric whisk for this step, but it will take longer if mixing by hand. Slowly add in the beaten eggs.
Add the flour, a little bit at a time, mixing as you go. You can also add spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or mixed spice. For a spicier, autumnal flavor, add 1-2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice to the batter.
Add the orange juice and zest, grated carrots, and optional sultanas or raisins. Gently mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
If you are making a cream cheese frosting, beat together the butter and cream cheese in a separate bowl until smooth and creamy. Gradually add in the powdered sugar and lemon juice until well combined. If the frosting is too thick, slowly add in a tablespoon of milk until it reaches the desired thickness.
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Cooking the cake
The cooking time for your carrot cake will depend on the type of air fryer you have, as well as the size and type of baking tin you use. For example, one source notes that their carrot cake took 15 minutes longer to cook in a Cosori air fryer than in a Phillips air fryer. Therefore, it's important to keep an eye on your cake as it cooks, especially if it's your first time making it.
Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to between 160°C and 175°C. However, one source sets their air fryer to 320°F.
Place your cake tin in the air fryer basket and cook for 25 to 45 minutes. If the outside of your cake is cooking too quickly, cover the cake with foil for the remaining cooking time. Remember to secure the foil so that it doesn't blow off.
To check if your cake is cooked, insert a skewer or cocktail stick into the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready. If not, cook for another few minutes and check again.
Remove the cake tin from the air fryer basket and allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before removing the cake from the tin. Then, leave the cake to cool completely on a wire rack for around 45 minutes.
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Making the frosting
For a simple frosting recipe, you will need butter, icing sugar, and soft cheese. Combine the butter and icing sugar in a bowl and beat together until smooth. You can use an electric whisk for this. Once combined, beat in the soft cheese gradually until fully incorporated. If the frosting is too thick, you can add a teaspoon or two of warm water. Set the frosting aside in the fridge until you are ready to use it.
For a more complex frosting, you can make a cream cheese frosting. You will need butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon juice. Beat the butter and cream cheese together in a medium mixing bowl until smooth and creamy. Gradually add in the powdered sugar and lemon juice until well combined. If the frosting is too thick, slowly add in a tablespoon of milk until the desired thickness is reached.
Another option for frosting is buttercream. For this, you will need butter, icing sugar, lemon juice, and orange zest. Mix all the ingredients together until fluffy. If the mixture is too dry, add a teaspoon or two of warm water.
Finally, you can make a cream cheese frosting using mascarpone. Sift the icing sugar and cornflour into a bowl, then beat the softened butter and mascarpone for 5 minutes at high speed using a hand or stand mixer. Gradually add the sifted icing sugar mixture, beating it in with each addition on a medium-low speed. Add the vanilla and salt and beat until the frosting holds peaks.
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Decorating the cake
Once your carrot cake is baked and cooled, it's time to decorate! Here are some ideas and instructions for decorating your air fryer carrot cake:
Cream Cheese Frosting
A traditional and popular choice for carrot cakes is a cream cheese frosting. This can be made by combining butter, icing sugar, and soft cheese. You can add a little milk if the mixture is too dry, or a teaspoon of lemon juice for some extra zing. You can also add vanilla and salt to taste. Beat the mixture until it is smooth and creamy, and then spread it over your cake.
Nuts and Spices
Chopped pecans or walnuts make a great addition to a carrot cake, providing a crunchy texture. You can mix these into the cake batter or use them as a topping. For a decorative finish, sprinkle some chopped nuts in a circle on top of the cake, or press them onto the sides. A light grating of nutmeg over the top of the cake is also a nice touch.
Fruit and Flowers
For a more rustic look, you can decorate the cake with edible flowers, such as carrot flowers, or dried fruit like raisins. You could also add a little orange zest to the batter or on top of the cake for a citrusy twist.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the air fryer model, size, and type of baking tin used. The cooking time can range from 25 minutes to 45 minutes, with some recipes recommending a temperature of 160°C and others suggesting 175°C. It's important to keep an eye on the cake as it cooks and adjust the timing accordingly.
The ingredients for the cake batter typically include flour, cinnamon, sugar, eggs, oil, orange juice, and grated carrots. You may also add nuts, raisins, or shredded coconut. For the frosting, you will need butter, cream cheese, and icing sugar.
The best way to check is to insert a toothpick, cocktail stick, or skewer into the centre of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready. If not, continue cooking and check again in a few minutes.
