Air-Fried Muffins: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Air fryers are a great alternative to ovens for baking muffins. They are faster, more energy-efficient, and can be used to make a variety of muffins, including chocolate chip, banana bread, and blueberry muffins. The process is simple: mix the wet and dry ingredients separately, combine them, and pour the batter into muffin cups or tins. The muffins are then cooked in the air fryer for around 12-15 minutes. This method produces muffins that are light, fluffy, and slightly less soft than oven-baked muffins.

Choosing the right air fryer temperature

Choosing the right temperature for your air fryer muffins is important to ensure they are cooked through and have a desirable texture.

The optimal temperature for cooking muffins in an air fryer seems to be around 300-350°F (149-177°C). However, this may vary depending on your air fryer model, so it is important to refer to the manufacturer's instructions or guidelines.

For example, one source recommends preheating the air fryer to 340°F (171°C) for 5 minutes before placing the muffin batter in the air fryer. Another source suggests a temperature of 350°F (177°C) for 10-15 minutes, but also notes that the temperature can be lowered if the muffins are browning too quickly.

It is also worth noting that the temperature and cooking time may depend on the type of muffin you are making. For instance, fruit-filled muffins with fresh fruit may require a higher temperature to ensure the fruit cooks through, while chocolate chip muffins may require a slightly lower temperature to prevent over-browning.

Additionally, the size of the muffins will affect the cooking time and temperature. Mini muffins or cupcake-sized muffins will likely require a lower temperature and shorter cooking time, while standard-sized muffins may need a higher temperature and longer cooking duration.

It is always a good idea to keep an eye on your muffins while they are cooking and use a toothpick to check for doneness. If the toothpick comes out clean, your muffins are likely done. If not, you may need to cook them for a little longer, adjusting the temperature as needed.

Using paper or silicone muffin cups

Preparation

Before you start baking, it is important to prepare your ingredients and equipment. Gather all the ingredients for your muffin recipe, such as flour, sugar, eggs, milk, butter, and any mix-ins like blueberries or chocolate chips. You will also need an air fryer, a mixing bowl, a whisk or spoon for mixing, and either paper or silicone muffin cups.

Mixing the Ingredients

In a large bowl, start by mixing the wet ingredients, such as eggs, milk, butter, and vanilla extract. Make sure to whisk them well, especially if you are combining ingredients that don't easily mix, like butter and water. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients, including flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, or any other spices.

Once the wet and dry ingredients are well combined, you can slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Be sure to mix until everything is combined, but be careful not to overmix, as this can affect the texture of your muffins.

Filling the Muffin Cups

Now it's time to fill your muffin cups. If using paper muffin cups, it is recommended to place them in an oven-safe ramekin or a muffin tin, as they may not hold their shape as well as silicone cups. Silicone cups are sturdier and can be filled directly on the counter before transferring them to the air fryer. Fill each muffin cup almost to the top, leaving some space for the muffins to rise.

Baking in the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes suggest a temperature between 300°F and 350°F, but you can adjust it according to your air fryer model. Place the filled muffin cups into the air fryer basket, arranging them in a single layer with a little space between them to allow for proper air circulation.

The baking time will vary depending on the recipe and the size of your muffins, but on average, it takes about 12 to 15 minutes to bake muffins in an air fryer. To check if your muffins are done, insert a toothpick into the center of one of the muffins. If it comes out clean, your muffins are ready!

Cooling and Storing

Allow the muffins to cool before serving. You can store any leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days or freeze them for later.

Preparing the batter

To prepare the batter for muffins in an air fryer, you will need to combine wet and dry ingredients separately, and then mix them together.

For the dry ingredients, combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Set this aside. You can also add cinnamon and rolled oats to this mixture if you like.

In a larger bowl, combine the wet ingredients: milk, butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla. You can also add oil and yoghurt to this mixture.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the larger bowl containing the wet ingredients. Stir the mixture.

Now, fold in your choice of mix-ins. You can use fresh or frozen fruit (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, or bananas), chocolate chips, or shredded vegetables like carrots or zucchini. If you are using fresh or frozen fruit, make sure to pat them dry before adding them to the batter. You can also add in baking chips like butterscotch, white chocolate, or peanut butter chips.

Your batter is now ready to be poured into muffin liners and cooked in the air fryer!

Baking the muffins

Now that you have your batter ready, it's time to bake your muffins!

First, preheat your air fryer. The ideal temperature is between 300°F and 350°F, but you can lower the temperature to meet the needs of your air fryer model. Preheat for about 5 minutes.

Next, you'll need to fill your muffin moulds or liners. If you're using silicone muffin cups or liners, fill them about three-quarters of the way. If you're using paper cups or liners, it's best to place them in a muffin tin first to prevent them from drooping or collapsing.

Once your moulds or liners are filled, place them in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to bake your muffins in batches.

Bake your muffins for 11 to 15 minutes. If you're making mini muffins, check them after 5 minutes. You'll know your muffins are done when they're golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. If they're browning too quickly, lower the temperature of your air fryer.

Once they're done, remove your muffins from the air fryer and let them cool before serving. Enjoy!

Storing the muffins

Storing your air fryer muffins is simple. Once your muffins have cooled, place them in a sealable container or bag and store them in the fridge. They will stay fresh for up to a week. If you don't plan on eating them within that time, you can freeze them in a sealable container or bag and defrost them at room temperature when needed.

If you want to reheat your muffins, you can pop them back into the air fryer for 1-2 minutes, or warm them in the microwave for 30-45 seconds.

Frequently asked questions