Air Fryer Baking: What You Can Make

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for baking a variety of dishes, both sweet and savoury. From cookies and brownies to pizzas and apple crisps, air fryers offer a convenient and energy-efficient way to bake. They are particularly useful for small batch bakes, individual servings, and for achieving a contrast between a baked exterior and a soft, plush interior.

While air fryers are great for baking, there are some considerations to keep in mind. It is recommended to lower the temperature by 25°F and reduce baking time by 20-25% when using an air fryer instead of a conventional oven. Additionally, preheating the air fryer is essential for recipes that rely on chemical or yeast leaveners.

With its rapid air circulation and compact chamber, the air fryer is a handy tool for creating delicious baked goods with crispy, golden finishes.

Cookies

Here's a recipe for chocolate chip cookies that can be made in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (gluten-free, if needed)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter (vegan or standard)
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup + 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 1/4 cup milk (any type, but almond milk works well)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chocolate chips (any type)

Method:

• Whisk together the dry ingredients in a small bowl.
• Cream the butter and sugars together in a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer.
• Stir in the milk and vanilla extract.
• Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until combined.
• Stir through the chocolate chips.
• Line an air fryer basket with parchment paper.
• Roll out 12 balls of cookie dough.
• Place 3-4 balls of cookie dough into the air fryer basket, leaving room for the cookies to spread.
• Air fry the cookies at 170C/325F for 7-8 minutes or until the edges are slightly firm.
• Remove the cookies from the air fryer basket and let them sit for five minutes.
• Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Continue air frying the remaining cookies in batches.

Tips:

• If you want thicker cookies, refrigerate the dough for at least an hour before baking.
• Don't skip the rest time after baking—this is key to achieving the right texture.
• Keep an eye on the cookies—you may need to adjust the time and temperature depending on your air fryer.
• You can switch up the mix-ins. Try walnuts, shredded coconut, candy buttons, or peanut butter chips instead of chocolate chips.

Cakes

To avoid this, it's recommended to lower the temperature by 25°F and bake for 20-25% less time than a conventional oven. You can also try using a metal cake pan, as glass bakeware conducts heat slowly and can result in an uneven bake.

If you're baking a cake that requires a yeast leavener, be sure to preheat your air fryer, as this will help the cake rise properly.

For the best results, try using a cake recipe that's been specifically developed for air fryers, as these are usually scaled to fit a 6" cake pan.

Some cakes that work well in an air fryer include:

• Lemon drizzle cake
• Carrot cake
• Pineapple upside-down cake
• Red velvet cheesecake brownies

Breads

The air fryer is a great appliance for baking bread. It is essentially a mini convection oven, cooking and baking in a fraction of the time needed in a conventional oven. The air fryer's high-powered fan sits on top and rapidly circulates hot air throughout its compact chamber.

Rolls and Buns

Air fryers are perfect for baking rolls and buns. The intense heat and air circulation ensure a soft, moist crumb and a crunchy crust. You can bake rolls in under 10 minutes, making it a quick and convenient option for a large dinner when your oven is occupied.

White Bread and Dinner Rolls

You can also bake smaller loaves of white sandwich bread and dinner rolls in the air fryer. The top gets a beautiful golden brown colour, and it takes less time to bake than in a conventional oven.

Tips for Baking Bread in an Air Fryer

• Use a metal cake pan instead of a glass bowl or pan. Glass bakeware conducts heat slowly, and the air fryer dispenses heat quickly from the top, which can lead to uneven browning.
• Lower the temperature by 25°F and bake for 20-25% less time than a regular oven.
• Preheat the air fryer for baked goods that rely on chemical or yeast leaveners (baking powder, baking soda, yeast, etc.) for an initial burst of heat to aid rising.
• For smaller yeasted bread recipes, you can place the shaped dough in the basket of the idle air fryer and let it rise before turning it on.

Other Breads to Try in the Air Fryer

• Banana Bread: This spin on a classic delivers a moist banana bread thanks to the air fryer's intense heat and air circulation.
• Pizza: The air fryer's smaller shape makes it ideal for personal pizzas. You'll get a crispy, cheesy pizza with a golden brown, evenly baked crust.
• Focaccia: A fluffy, crispy pizza-style bread.

Brownies

Air fryers are great for baking brownies, especially if you don't want to heat up your entire house by turning on the oven or if you don't need a whole batch. They're also a great option if you're short on time, as most things cook more quickly in an air fryer.

Here's a recipe for classic brownies that are crispy on the top and soft in the middle:

Ingredients:

• Chocolate chips
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• A pinch of salt
• Baking powder
• Vegetable oil
• Cocoa powder
• Butter
• Sugar

Method:

• Generously grease a 7-inch baking pan with butter.
• Preheat your air fryer to 330 degrees Fahrenheit and let it run for about 5 minutes while you prepare the brownie batter.
• In a large bowl, add your all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, melted butter, sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, salt, baking powder, and vanilla extract. Stir until the batter is thick and well combined.
• Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth out the top.
• Place the pan in the preheated air fryer and bake for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out mostly clean.
• Remove the brownies from the air fryer and let them cool in the pan before removing and cutting.

You can also add your favourite nuts or a quarter of a cup of walnuts to the batter before baking, if desired.

Savoury dishes

Although air fryers are great for baking desserts, they can also be used to cook savoury baked dishes. Here are some ideas for savoury dishes that can be made in an air fryer:

Crumbed foods

The air fryer is perfect for getting a golden brown and crispy finish on crumbed foods such as chicken Parmesan cutlets, coconut shrimp, and pickles.

Meats and seafood

The air fryer is ideal for quick-roasting meats and seafood. Try simple air-fryer salmon, beef skewers, or pork chops.

Roasted vegetables

The hot air of the air fryer produces crispy edges on roasted vegetables, adding flavour to your dish.

Breads and rolls

The air fryer can be used to bake smaller loaves of white sandwich bread and dinner rolls. The compact size of the air fryer means that the bread gets a beautiful golden brown crust in a shorter time than a conventional oven.

Pizza

The air fryer is well-suited for making personal pizzas. It yields crispy, cheesy pizza with golden brown, evenly baked crust. It works well for a variety of pizza styles, from thin crust to pan pizzas.

Frequently asked questions