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Air Fryer Cake – make a perfectly moist and tender cake in your air fryer! It is ready in minutes, bakes up perfectly and is so easy!
Have you tried baking in your air fryer yet? It was something I never thought I would do, but it actually works really well! The first thing I made was Air Fryer Cookies. And now a cake!
It is great if you only want to do a small amount, like a few cookies or a small cake. And if you live in a small apartment in the middle of summer or somewhere that doesn’t have an oven, this is perfect!
Making an Air Fryer Cake is much easier than you think it will be. I have a recipe for a homemade chocolate cake below, but you really could use any box cake mix that you like to make it even easier!
I used my Chocolate Peppermint Cake as the base for this recipe. I really just cut it in half, so it bakes all the way through in the air fryer. It is my favorite chocolate cake, so chocolate-y and delicious and much better than any box mix.
Can You Use Regular Cake Pans In The Air Fryer
Yes, anything that is oven safe will work in the air fryer. You are only heating it to 320º F for this recipe, so you don’t need a special pan or anything to make this. If you end up baking in it a lot, they sell Air Fryer Accessories that has different inserts that you could use.
To make this recipe I used a Cosori 5.8 Qt Air Fryer. It is big enough that you can fit plenty of food in, and the basket comes out so you can easily shake, stir, or flip whatever you are making.
Both a 7 and 8 inch cake fan fit in my air fryer basket. Test your cake pans before you start baking to figure out what size fits best.
What You’ll Need
- All-Purpose Flour
- Granulated Sugar
- Cocoa Powder
- Baking Soda
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Eggs
- Buttermilk
- Vegetable Oil
- Vanilla Extract
- Boiling Water (or Coffee)
You really can use any flavor box cake mix in place of this homemade recipe. They will make about the same size cake. I used my favorite Chocolate Frosting for this, but even store bought will work!
How To Make Air Fryer Cake
- Whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt until well blended.
- In a separate bowl whisk together egg, buttermilk, vegetable oil and water.
- Add egg mixture to flour and stir until just combined. Add in boiling water and mix to combine.
- Pour into a 7 or 8 inch well greased cake pan.
- Cook in air fryer at 320º F for 25 minutes. Use a toothpick to test if the cake is done, it should come out mostly clean when you insert it into the center of the cake.
- Once the cake is baked carefully remove the pan from the air fryer and cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing the cake from the pan to cool completely.
- Once the cake is cooled frost and decorate as desired.
You will notice that the top of the cake can get dark or a strange swirl on it from the fan in the air fryer. Don’t worry! Use a serrated knife, and cut the top of the cake to make it flat. This will remove the imperfections and give you an easier surface to frost.
How Do I Get My Cake Not To Stick In The Pan
The best thing to do to get a cake out of the pan is to line the bottom with parchment paper to start with. Start by placing your cake pan over a square of parchment paper, and then trace the bottom onto the paper. Cut out the circle and then place in the bottom of the cake pan.
You will also want to generously butter the sides of the pan and coat with flour as well. This will ensure the cake comes out and nothing sticks in the pan.
Can I Freeze Cake
Absolutely! Cake actually freezes really well. It is best to freeze before you add the frosting. Once the cake is completely cook, tightly wrap with plastic wrap. It will last in the freezer for 3-4 months. Let the cake thaw in the fridge and then frost when you are ready to serve.
More Fun Dessert Recipes
- Sugar Cookies
- Turtle Brownies
- Magic Cookie Bars
- Cosmic Brownies
- Mini Pavlova
- Turtle Cheesecake
- Chick-Fil-A Brownies
- No Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake
Air Fryer Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 whole large egg
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup boiling water, or hot coffee
Frosting
- 1/4 cup butter softened
- 2-3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 Tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Prepare a 7 or 8 inch cake pan by greasing well and coating with flour.
- Whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt until well blended.
- In a separate bowl whisk together egg, buttermilk, vegetable oil and water.
- Add egg mixture to flour and stir until just combined. Add in boiling water and mix to combine.
- Pour into prepared cake pan
- Cook in air fryer at 320º F for 25 minutes. Use a toothpick to test if the cake is done, it should come out mostly clean when you insert it into the center of the cake.
- Once the cake is baked carefully remove the pan from the air fryer and cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing the cake from the pan to cool completely.
- Once the cake is cooled frost and decorate as desired.
To Make Frosting
- Using a hand mixer or the whisk attachment for an electric stand mixer whip butter until it is smooth and creamy.
- Add powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and salt until it is combined.
- Add vanilla and slowly pour in milk, beating until it is smooth and your desired consistency.
- Adjust milk or sugar as necessary if your frosting is to thick or thin.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This cake looks and sounds absolutely delicious! I love making cakes in the air fryer, and I can’t wait to try this one.
I have never even thought about cake in the air fryer! What an awesome idea!
wow! This is something new! I am so curious to try to make a cake in the Air Fryer!
This is so easy! Everyone at my house was really impressed!
I do not have an air fryer. Can this cake be baked in the oven? What temperature and how long? Thank you
You would bake it just like you would a normal cake. 350º for probably 20-25 minutes. Check with a toothpick ensure it is done.
Hi, can you give measurement for flour in grammes please.
Thanks.
I googled it, and 3/4 cup of flour is 96 grams, 1 Tablespoon is 7.8 grams – so you would need 111.6 grams of all-purpose flour