Let’s be real for a second. That sudden, intense craving for a warm, fluffy slice of cake hits, but the thought of preheating your entire conventional oven feels like a massive chore. If you’ve ever wondered how to bake a cake in an air fryer, you’re in the right place. I’m here to tell you it’s not just possible; it’s a game-changer. Forget what you thought you knew about this countertop wonder. It’s for more than just crispy fries and chicken wings. Welcome to the sweeter side of air frying!
Why Bother Baking a Cake in an Air Fryer?
You might be thinking, “I have an oven. Why would I use a smaller appliance?” It’s a fair question, and one I asked myself before I tried it. The answer is surprisingly simple and has made me a total convert for small-batch baking.
- Speed and Efficiency: Your air fryer heats up in a couple of minutes, compared to the 10-15 minutes your big oven needs. This is a lifesaver for impromptu baking sessions. It also uses significantly less energy, which is a nice little bonus for your utility bill.
- Perfect for Small Batches: Don’t need a giant, party-sized cake? An air fryer is your best friend. It’s ideal for baking a small 6-inch or 7-inch cake—just enough for a family dessert or a treat for two. No more leftover cake going stale!
- Incredibly Even Cooking: The magic of an air fryer is its powerful fan that circulates hot air. When done right, this results in a beautifully even bake. You get a consistent crumb and a perfectly golden-brown top, without the “hot spots” common in many conventional ovens.
- Keeps Your Kitchen Cool: On a hot summer day, the last thing you want is an oven blasting heat into your home. The air fryer contains the heat, keeping your kitchen comfortable.
Choosing the Right Gear: Your Air Fryer Baking Toolkit
Before you grab the flour and sugar, let’s talk about equipment. You don’t need a lot, but having the right tools makes all the difference. Think of it like this: you wouldn’t try to build a bookshelf with just a hammer, right? Same principle applies here.
The Perfect Pan
The single most important piece of gear is your baking pan. You can’t just shove any old cake tin in there.
- Size is Everything: Measure the inside of your air fryer basket first! You need a pan that allows for at least half an inch of space on all sides. This gap is crucial for air circulation. Without it, the hot air can’t flow around the pan, and you’ll end up with a cake that’s raw in the middle and burnt on the edges. A 6-inch or 7-inch round pan is a safe bet for most standard 5-to-6-quart air fryers.
- Material Matters:
- Silicone: A fantastic option. It’s flexible, non-stick, and conducts heat gently. Cakes pop right out.
- Light-colored Metal: A standard aluminum or light-colored non-stick pan works great. Darker pans absorb more heat and can cause the outside of your cake to cook too quickly.
- Bundt Pans: Mini bundt pans are amazing in an air fryer. The hole in the center ensures the middle of the cake gets cooked through perfectly.
Essential Accessories
A few other items will make your baking experience smoother:
- Parchment Paper Liners: Use a round piece of parchment paper at the bottom of your pan to prevent sticking. Never place a liner in the air fryer by itself during preheating—it will fly up into the heating element and become a fire hazard.
- A Trivet or Rack: Some air fryers come with a small metal rack. Using it can help lift the cake pan slightly, improving airflow underneath for a more even bake.
The Ultimate Guide to How to Bake Cake in an Air Fryer
Alright, your kitchen is prepped, and you’re ready to bake. Let’s walk through this step-by-step. It’s way easier than you think.
- Prepare Your Batter: Whip up your favorite cake recipe or use a box mix—no judgment here! A simple vanilla, chocolate, or lemon cake works wonderfully for your first try. The key is not to overfill your pan. Fill it no more than halfway, or two-thirds at the absolute max. Cake needs room to rise!
- Prep Your Pan: Lightly grease your chosen pan and line the bottom with a circle of parchment paper. This is a non-negotiable step for easy removal later.
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Yes, you still need to preheat! It’s much faster than an oven, usually taking just 3-5 minutes. Set your air fryer to around 320°F (160°C). This lower temperature is key to preventing the top from burning before the inside is cooked.
- Place the Pan in the Basket: Carefully place your filled cake pan into the preheated air fryer basket. Make sure it’s centered and has that all-important space around the sides.
- Bake and Check: Set the timer for about 20-25 minutes. All air fryers are different, so cooking times can vary. The best way to check for doneness is with the classic toothpick test. At around the 20-minute mark, carefully open the basket and insert a toothpick into the center of the cake.
- If it comes out clean, it’s done!
- If it has wet batter on it, bake for another 3-5 minutes and check again.
- Cool It Down: Once your cake is fully baked, carefully remove the basket from the air fryer. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This allows it to set and makes it easier to remove. Then, turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
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Our Picks for the Best Air Fryer in 2026
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| Num | Product | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CHEFMAN 2 Qt Mini Air Fryer – Digital Space-Saving Compact Air Fryer with Nonstick and Dishwasher Safe Basket, Quick & Easy Meals in Minutes, Features Digital Timer and Shake Reminder – Black |
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| 2 | Ninja | Indoor Grill and Air Fryer| Foodi Smart XL | 6-in-1 Grill, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate & Crisp |Smart Thermometer & Splatter Shield | Dishwasher Safe Parts | Black/Silver | FG551 |
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| 3 | bella 4Qt Slim Air Fryer, Fits-anywhere™ Kitchenware, EverGood™ Ceramic Nonstick Coating, Adjustable Temperature, 6 Preset Cooking Options, 60 Min Auto Shutoff w Audible Tone, 3.3lb Capacity, Oatmilk |
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| 4 | Chefman TurboFry® Touch Air Fryer, XL 8-Qt Family Size, One-Touch Digital Control Presets, French Fries, Chicken, Meat, Fish, Nonstick Dishwasher-Safe Parts, Automatic Shutoff, Stainless Steel |
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| 5 | Chefman Air Fryer TurboFry 7-Qt, 6-in-1 High-Powered 450°F Cooking for Crispier Results, Compact Space-Saving Design, Air Fry, Bake, Broil, Reheat, Dehydrate, Defrost, Fast & Even Cooking – Black |
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| 6 | Ninja | Air Fryer | 4-in-1 Pro Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate | 5QT Capacity fits up to 4lbs of French Fries | 400F Max Temp | Nonstick Basket & Crisper Plate | 120V | Grey | AF141 |
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| 7 | CHEFMAN 6 Quart Dual Basket Air Fryer Oven with Easy View Windows, Sync Finish, Hi-Fry, Auto Shutoff, 2 Independent 3Qt Nonstick Dishwasher Safe Frying Baskets, Digital Double Air Fryer - Black |
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| 8 | Chefman TurboFry Touch Dual Air Fryer, Maximize The Healthiest Meals With Double Basket Capacity, One-Touch Digital Controls And Shake Reminder For The Perfect Crispy And Low-Calorie Finish |
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| 9 | Ninja | Air Fryer | 4 QT Capacity | 4-in1 Roast, Crisp, Roast, Reheats, & Dehydrates | Dishwasher Safe Parts | Includes 20 Easy & Healthy Recipes | Compact | Grey | AF101 |
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| 10 | Chefman 12-Quart 6-in-1 Air Fryer Oven with Digital Timer, Touchscreen, and 12 Presets - Family Size Countertop Convection Oven, Dishwasher-Safe Parts |
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Pro Tips from the Airfryer House Kitchen
After baking dozens (and dozens) of cakes in various models, I’ve picked up a few tricks that separate a good air fryer cake from a great one.
- The Foil Tent Trick: If you notice the top of your cake is browning too quickly, don’t panic. Loosely cover the top of the pan with a small piece of aluminum foil. This “tent” will shield the top from the direct heat, allowing the center to finish cooking.
- Rotate for Evenness: Even though air fryers are great at circulating air, some models have hotter spots. I recommend rotating the pan halfway through the baking time to ensure a perfectly level and evenly browned cake.
- Check Early and Often: Don’t just set the timer and walk away. Start checking your cake about 5 minutes before the recipe suggests. It’s easier to add more time than it is to rescue a burnt cake.
- Stick to Simpler Recipes First: Start with a basic butter or oil-based cake. More delicate recipes like angel food cake can be tricky due to the intense airflow from the fan.
“The biggest mistake people make is treating an air fryer like a miniature oven. It’s a different beast entirely. Lower your temperature by about 25°F and reduce your baking time by about 20% from a conventional oven recipe. That’s the golden rule for converting recipes.” – Chef Isabella Rossi, Culinary Appliance Expert
Common Air Fryer Cake Fails (And How to Fix Them!)
My first air fryer cake wasn’t perfect. Yours might not be either, and that’s okay! Here are the most common issues and how to troubleshoot them.
Problem: The top is dark brown or burnt, but the middle is raw.
- The Cause: Your temperature is too high. The intense, direct heat from the top element cooked the surface way too fast.
- The Fix: Lower the temperature to 320°F (160°C) or even 300°F (150°C). Use the aluminum foil tent trick mentioned above after the first 10-15 minutes of baking.
Problem: The cake is dry and crumbly.
- The Cause: You likely overbaked it. The powerful convection in an air fryer can dry things out if you’re not careful.
- The Fix: Check for doneness earlier next time. Also, ensure your batter has enough fat (butter, oil, yogurt) to keep it moist.
Problem: The cake has a dome and cracked on top.
- The Cause: Again, this is often a sign of the temperature being too high, causing the cake to rise too quickly before the structure has set.
- The Fix: Lower your baking temperature. A slower, gentler bake will result in a flatter, more even top perfect for frosting.
Air Fryer vs. Conventional Oven: The Cake Showdown
| Feature | Air Fryer | Conventional Oven |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Small cakes (6-7″), cupcakes, quick bakes | Large cakes, multiple batches, delicate cakes |
| Preheat Time | 2-5 minutes | 10-20 minutes |
| Energy Use | Low | High |
| Baking Time | Generally faster (by ~20%) | Standard recipe time |
| Result | Moist crumb, evenly browned crust | Classic cake texture, can have hot spots |
| Convenience | Excellent for small households and hot weather | Better for large families or party baking |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a regular box cake mix in an air fryer?
Absolutely! Box cake mixes work beautifully. Just follow the package instructions for preparing the batter, but use the air fryer temperature and time guidelines (around 320°F for 20-25 minutes). Remember to only fill your pan halfway.
Why did my cake not rise properly in the air fryer?
This could be due to a few things. First, check that your baking powder or soda is fresh. Second, don’t overmix the batter. Third, make sure you didn’t open the air fryer too many times during the initial rising phase, as the temperature fluctuations can cause it to fall.
What is the best temperature to bake a cake in an air fryer?
A lower temperature is almost always better. I recommend starting at 320°F (160°C). This allows the cake to cook through to the center without the top and sides burning from the powerful convection fan.
Do I need to flip the cake in the air fryer?
No, you do not need to flip the cake. The circulating hot air is designed to cook it from all sides. Just rotate the pan halfway through if you’re concerned about even browning.
Can I bake cupcakes in an air fryer?
Yes, and they’re fantastic! Use silicone cupcake liners placed directly in the air fryer basket or a small cupcake pan that fits inside. They cook very quickly, usually in about 12-15 minutes.
Your Baking Adventure Awaits
So, there you have it. The complete guide on how to bake a cake in an air fryer. It’s faster, more energy-efficient, and a wonderfully simple way to satisfy your sweet tooth without a fuss. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Start with a simple recipe, pay attention to your machine, and remember the toothpick test is your most trusted tool. Go ahead, give it a try—you might just discover your new favorite way to bake.