Baking a cake in an air fryer is a great alternative to using a conventional oven. It’s quick, energy-efficient, and produces delicious results. If you’re wondering how to bake a cake in an air fryer, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know. From choosing the right cake mix to tips for perfect results, you’ll be baking cakes like a pro in no time.
What is an Air Fryer?
Before diving into the cake-baking process, it’s important to understand what an air fryer is and how it works. An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that uses hot air circulation to cook food. It works similarly to a convection oven, using high-speed air to cook and crisp food quickly. Many air fryers also have a basket or tray where the food sits, allowing air to circulate evenly for a crispy exterior and tender interior.
Why Bake a Cake in an Air Fryer?
Baking in an air fryer can offer several benefits over traditional ovens:
Faster Cooking Time: Air fryers heat up quickly, reducing the overall baking time.
Energy-Efficient: Since air fryers use less power than traditional ovens, they can save on energy costs.
Convenience: Air fryers don’t require preheating and can be used in small kitchens or during warm weather when you don’t want to heat up your oven.
Perfect Size for Small Batches: Air fryers are perfect for baking smaller cakes, especially if you’re not baking for a large group.
What You Need to Bake a Cake in an Air Fryer
To bake a cake in an air fryer, you don’t need anything too fancy. Here’s a simple list of what you’ll need:
Ingredients
Cake Mix: You can use any store-bought cake mix, such as vanilla, chocolate, or lemon. Alternatively, you can make your own cake batter from scratch using flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and other ingredients.
Eggs: Most cake recipes require eggs to help bind the ingredients together and create a fluffy texture.
Butter or Oil: Butter adds richness to the cake, but you can substitute with vegetable oil or other oils.
Water or Milk: These ingredients help thin out the batter and provide moisture.
Baking Powder: If you’re making a cake from scratch, baking powder helps the cake rise in the air fryer.
Vanilla Extract (optional): This adds flavor and enhances the overall taste of the cake.
Tools
Air Fryer: This is the main appliance you’ll use.
Cake Pan: A small, round cake pan that fits inside your air fryer basket. Some air fryers come with their own cake pans, but you can also use an oven-safe dish that fits.
Parchment Paper (optional): Parchment paper can help make cleanup easier and prevent the cake from sticking to the pan.
Mixing Bowls and Whisk: To prepare your cake batter.
Spatula: To spread the batter evenly in the cake pan.
Preparing the Cake Batter
Whether you’re using a cake mix or making a cake from scratch, the preparation is very simple.
Using Cake Mix
If you’re using a cake mix, follow the instructions on the box. Typically, you’ll need:
- Cake mix
- Eggs
- Water or milk
- Oil or melted butter
In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix with the required ingredients. Use a whisk or electric mixer to blend everything together until smooth. The batter should be lump-free and pourable. If you want to make the cake a bit more moist, you can add a tablespoon of sour cream or yogurt.
Making Cake From Scratch
To make a cake from scratch, you’ll need:
- 1 ½ cups of flour
- 1 cup of sugar
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ½ cup of butter (softened)
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- ½ cup of milk
To prepare the batter, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix until everything is well incorporated and smooth.
Preparing the Air Fryer
To ensure your cake doesn’t stick to the pan, it’s important to grease the cake pan with butter or oil. You can also line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal later.
Grease the Pan: Use a small amount of butter or oil to coat the inside of the cake pan. This will help prevent the cake from sticking to the pan.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Some air fryers require preheating, but many don’t. If yours does, set it to 320°F (160°C) and let it preheat for about 5 minutes. If your air fryer doesn’t require preheating, you can skip this step.
Pouring the Batter into the Pan
Once your batter is ready and the cake pan is greased, pour the batter into the pan. Be sure to leave a little space at the top of the pan to allow the cake to rise. You don’t want the batter to overflow while it’s cooking.
Use a spatula to smooth the top of the batter for an even finish. Tap the pan gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles that may have formed during the mixing process.
Baking the Cake
Now, it’s time to bake! Set the cake pan inside the air fryer basket, making sure it fits comfortably. Close the air fryer and set the temperature.
Temperature: Set the air fryer to 320°F (160°C). If you’re baking a small cake, you can reduce the temperature slightly to prevent overcooking the top.
Cooking Time: Bake for about 20-30 minutes. Baking times may vary depending on the size and type of air fryer, so check the cake with a toothpick at around 20 minutes. If the toothpick comes out clean or with a few crumbs, your cake is done.
Checking for Doneness
To ensure the cake is fully cooked, insert a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached, the cake is ready. If there’s batter on the toothpick, let the cake cook for another 5 minutes and check again.
Adjusting the Time
If you’re baking a larger or thicker cake, you may need to add more time. Air fryers can vary in how evenly they cook, so it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your cake as it bakes. You can also rotate the pan halfway through the baking process to ensure an even bake.
Cooling the Cake
Once your cake is fully baked, carefully remove the cake pan from the air fryer. Let it cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. This will make it easier to remove from the pan without breaking. If you used parchment paper, simply lift the cake out of the pan by the paper edges.
After the cake has cooled in the pan, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling the cake allows it to set properly and helps preserve its texture.
Decorating the Cake
Once the cake is completely cool, it’s time to decorate! You can frost your cake with any frosting you like. Classic buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or whipped cream all work well. For a simple decoration, you can top the cake with fresh fruits like berries, sliced bananas, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
If you prefer, you can also enjoy your air fryer cake plain, or serve it with a scoop of ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce for extra indulgence.
Tips for Success
To help ensure your air fryer cake turns out perfectly, here are a few tips:
Check the Pan Size: Make sure your cake pan fits inside the air fryer basket comfortably. It should not touch the sides or block the air vents.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best results, use ingredients like butter, eggs, and milk at room temperature. This helps the batter mix more evenly.
Avoid Overcrowding: If you’re baking more than one cake, leave enough space between the pans so the air can circulate properly.
Watch the Cake: Air fryers cook faster than conventional ovens, so keep an eye on your cake to avoid overcooking.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Here are a few common issues you may encounter when baking a cake in an air fryer, along with solutions:
Cake is Too Dry: This could be due to overbaking or using too much flour. Make sure to measure ingredients accurately and check the cake regularly.
Cake is Burnt on Top: If the top is browning too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil to protect it while it finishes baking.
Cake Sticks to the Pan: Always grease the pan properly or use parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Conclusion
Baking a cake in an air fryer is a simple and efficient way to create a delicious dessert without the need for a traditional oven. By following these easy steps, you can bake a cake that’s moist, fluffy, and perfectly cooked. Whether you’re using a cake mix or making the batter from scratch, your air fryer can help you bake the perfect cake in a fraction of the time. Happy baking!
Related topics
