We originally bought our air fryer as an alternative to deep-frying foods, but we’ve learned to use it for so much more than that! Many people don’t realize you can also bake in an air fryer. Here’s our collection of the best air fryer cake recipes, to make baking at home much easier. We also provide plenty of tips on how to bake a cake in an air fryer.
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Our Top Picks For The Best Air Fryer
- Ninja Foodi 6 in 1 Dual Zone 2 Basket Air Fryer – Our second air fryer we had in Ireland >> Perfect for cooking two different dishes at once
- COSORI Electric Hot Air Fryer – Our first air fryer in Ireland >> Compact and easy to use and clean
- GoWISE Deluxe Air Fryer Oven – The air fryer we owned in Spain >> Great first air fryer option for beginners
How To Bake A Cake In An Air Fryer
Much like an Instant Pot, an air fryer works well as an alternative to deep-frying or frying foods in oil to make meals a bit healthier. But, most air fryers have a half dozen or more features that allow this particular kitchen appliance to be one of the most versatile. When we started air frying, I wondered can I bake a cake in an air fryer.
We currently have 2 air fryers, including the Cosori XL Air Fryer and the Ninja Dual Zone 2 Basket Air Fryer. Air fryers act as convection ovens, circulating hot air rather than baking from top and bottom.
This is why it is so efficient to cook food in an air fryer. Between these two air fryers, we can air fry, roast, broil, rehat, dehydrate, and, yes, bake. At this point, we rarely use our conventional oven.
I don’t know that I would recommend baking dozens of cookies or cupcakes for a large party inside the air fryer unless you have a large air fryer oven.
But, air frying is a great option for baking cakes, cheesecakes, and even cupcakes. It’s also a great way to bake small cakes or cupcakes for only a couple of people.
Benefits Of Cooking Cake In An Air Fryer
It’s a great idea to learn how to use an air fryer to bake a cake. Baking a cake in an air fryer is not all that difficult. And, it’s a little more set it and forget it than baking in an oven.
First, the air fryer takes less time to preheat. And, some air fryers don’t require any preheating. This saves time over baking a cake in an oven. The texture of air-fried cake is also pretty tasty. There is a slight bit of crispiness to the cake, but the inside is still moist and tender. Moreover, the cake bakes more evenly in an air fryer.
Accessories Needed To Bake A Cake In An Air Fryer
Although it’s easy to make cake in an air fryer, you need to find a way to bake it without making a mess. One important thing to note is that this is not one of those situations where you can just pour cake batter into an air fryer. To make any of these air fryer baking pan recipes, you probably need some accessories that might not have come with your air fryer when purchasing it.
Although there are a few options for air fryer accessories, with some it makes sense to confirm whether they fit with your particular air fryer model. For example, the Cosori Accessory Pack includes a pie pan, cake pan, and cupcake tray. This 12-piece set works for Ninja, Phillips, GoWise, Dash, and Power XL air fryers.
Here are some of the best options for air fryer accessories to bake in an air fryer:
- Cake pans: For 3 Qt and 5 Qt air fryers
- Cupcake pans: For square air fryers or for round air fryers
If you like our Air Fryer Desserts recipes, check out our other dessert posts:
The Best Japanese Dessert Recipes
Best Traditional Irish Desserts Recipes
The Best Air Fryer Cake Recipes
There are so many great air fryer recipes for cakes and cupcakes. Some of these can be considered a little bit more healthy recipes. But, in the end, they are pretty easy to make and are each delicious. In the end, I don’t have just one favorite cake recipe for an air fryer, which is why I put together this list for a variety of options.
Boxed Air Fryer Cake
Not a lot of time to bake a cake? No problem. Our first option on how to bake a cake in an air fryer includes a simple boxed cake mix made in the air fryer. No need to start from scratch! Fresh, easy cake at home ready in about 20 minutes.
Classic Air Fryer Cheesecake
Rich, creamy, and with a subtle sweetness to compliment the tang, this Air Fryer Cheesecake recipe is so quick to make. A classic cream cheese filling overtop of a graham cracker crust, you’ll love how simple it is to put together.
And if you love cheesecake as much as we do, then make sure to try our San Sebastian Cheesecake recipe.
Check out more great air fryer recipes:
45 Easy Air Fryer Recipes For Beginners
13 Instant Pot Air Fryer Recipes With The Air Fryer Lid
25 Tasty Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes
Air Fryer Cupcakes
Air fryer cupcakes are the best things that happen to hassle-free baking. Whether made from scratch or with your favorite box cake mix, making cupcakes in an air fryer will soon be your favorite thing to do. All you need to do is mix, sprinkle in some fun and air fry!
Air Fryer Chocolate Cake
This air fryer chocolate cake is perfect for 2! It’s moist, chocolatey, and makes the perfect dessert! This recipe also includes all sorts of cooking tips, including how to store the left over cake afterwards – if you have any left overs!
This cake recipe is made in the Cosori air fryer, which is the same one we have at home.
Air Fryer Birthday Cake
This is one option I never would have thought of, making an entire birthday cake right in the air fryer. This air fryer cake recipe is pretty similar to the others on this list, but results in a small cake you can decorate for any birthday theme. It uses an round cake tin that fits perfectly inside an air fryer.
Air Fryer Chocolate Lava Cake
This air fryer chocolate lava cake is so good and easy to make! Using simple ingredients, you can make these treats in no time for a yummy dessert! Plus this air fryer lava cake tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant kitchen! And for fun, add a scope or two of vanilla ice cream.
Peanut Butter Explosion Cake
I love peanut butter dessert recipes, particularly after living overseas for so long. This cake recipe can be made in an air fryer, or an Instant Pot. Both ensure the chocolate cake is super soft and the filling is peanuty and delicious. So decadent no one would know it was baked in an air fryer!
Air Fryer Pound Cake
Moist and delicious, this Air Fryer Pound Cake is as tasty as the oven version. When you want to make a smaller cake or you don’t want to use the oven in the summer, making an air fryer cake is a great option! It’s easy and quick.
Air Fryer Carrot Cake
I never like carrot cake when I was a kid, but now sometimes I crave them. I think it’s because I am often looking for dessert options that are not chocolate-based. Made with carrots and ground cinnamon, this air fryer carrot cake recipe is made in only 35 minutes in the air fryer. This is a colorful, and easy to make air fryer cake recipe.
Caramel Apple Dump Cake
This tender and moist Caramel Apple Dump Cake is a nearly effortless decadent dessert to make in minutes. Sweet fresh apples are swirled with gooey caramel and topped with a pecan cake mix in this super easy, dump and bake cake recipe. And if you want to jazz it up, add some cinnamon sugar on top before serving.
Air Fried Cornbread With Candied Bacon And Honey
This air fryer cornbread recipe with honey buttercream frosting will receive rave reviews. Sweet cornbread with icing is always a tasty addition to the menu.
Air Fryer Blueberry Breakfast Cake
Love blueberry muffins for breakfast, but looking to make them quick and easy at home? These blueberry air fryer cakes are a sweet option for the morning. This particular recipe is made in the Ninja Foodie, but can be made in any air fryer or air fryer oven. Plus, it’s a tasty way to get your daily doze of antioxidants.
Air Fryer Banana Cake
This Air Fryer Banana Cake recipe is light and fluffy but still a super moist cake – man oh man – it’s so good with so much banana flavor! And – it was a really easy dessert to make!!! I tend to cook more than bake – but this might make a baker out of me yet!
Air Fryer Banana Bundt Cake
A moist, tender and extremely delicious banana cake perfectly sized for the air fryer. The cream cheese icing is exactly what this banana cake needs. Use a 7” mini Bundt pan. If you don’t have a small Bundt pan, any cake pan that fits in the air fryer will work.
Air Fryer Almond Cake
This air fryer almond cake is one of the easiest cakes to make. Rich and buttery, this simple cake has minimal ingredients and tastes amazing. The almond flavor really shines in this air fryer cake recipe.
Classic Lemon Cake In An Air Fryer
We originally included the lovely raspberry version below, but then came across this very classic lemon cake recipe in an air fryer. I love lemon cakes for summer, it reminds me of traveling in Italy.
The lemon flavor is added from freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon rind, making it such a refreshing treat.
Air Fried Lemon Raspberry Cake
This air fryer lemon raspberry bundt cake is filled with sweet and ripe raspberries and tangy lemon flavor. The raspberries give this Lemon bundt cake recipe a light and refreshing taste. Lemon Raspberry Bundt Cake is a scratch-made cake that just screams summer
Air Fryer Pistachio Pudding Cake
This air fryer cake with pistachio, coconut, and almonds is so tasty. It is like a Watergate cake and packed with flavor
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake In An Air Fryer
Air Fryer Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Cake is rich and filled with chocolate peanut butter flavors. This cake is perfectly moist and insanely delicious. It’s a great birthday cake option for those who love peanut butter.
Gluten-Free Air Fryer Cake
Make this easy Air Fryer Cake that can be made gluten-free as well. This cake uses a cake mix and is ready to eat in minutes!
Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake In An Air Fryer
Yeap, you can bake a cake in the air fryer. This recipe for One Bowl Gluten Free Chocolate Cake recipe is a delicious rich chocolate cake that is perfect for all seasons. If you are looking for a healthier birthday cake option, here you go.
Absolutely! Remember an air fryer is more a convection oven than a traditional air fryer. Almost anything you would cook or bake in an oven can be done in an air fryer, including cakes and cupcakes.
In depends on the recipe and the size of the cake. Air fryer cupcakes will cook quicker than a full cake. Generally assume about 30-40 minutes if planning ahead.
Although you do not need a purpose-made air fryer cake pan, you do need to put the batter in something. This can be any oven safe bowl, including glass or silicone. You can also use silicon baking cups.
Any oven-safe pan can be used in the air fryer, so long as it fits. Check the dimensions of the cake pan in your air fryer before starting to bake the cake just to be safe. There are also specific air fryer accessory kits have cake pans included.
This depends on what sized your air fryer is. Normally, a six-inch cake pan tends to fit most air fryers. But, it’s best to measure.