# Air Fryer Baking: Cakes, Muffins and Bread
If you thought your air fryer was only good for chips and chicken wings, think again. Air fryer baking has taken the home cooking world by storm, and for good reason. Whether you're whipping up a batch of fluffy muffins for breakfast, baking a moist chocolate cake for dessert, or crafting a crusty loaf of bread, your air fryer can handle it all — often faster and more efficiently than a conventional oven.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about baking in an air fryer, from the science behind why it works so well, to specific recipes and tips for getting perfect results every time. If you're new to air fryers, check out our buying guide to find the right model for your kitchen.
Why Bake in an Air Fryer?
Before diving into recipes, it's worth understanding why air fryers are actually excellent baking appliances. The secret lies in the rapid hot air circulation technology that gives air fryers their name.
Faster Cooking Times
Air fryers typically cook baked goods 20–30% faster than a conventional oven. This is because the fan-forced hot air surrounds the food on all sides simultaneously, rather than relying on radiant heat from above and below. A batch of muffins that takes 22 minutes in a standard oven might be done in just 15–16 minutes in an air fryer.
Even Heat Distribution
The circulating air creates a remarkably even cooking environment. You're far less likely to end up with baked goods that are overdone on the outside but raw in the middle — a common frustration with conventional ovens that have hot spots.
Energy Efficiency
Air fryers use significantly less electricity than full-sized ovens. If you're only baking a small batch of muffins or a single cake, there's no need to heat up a large oven cavity. This makes air fryer baking particularly economical for singles, couples, or small families. For more on running costs, see our guide on air fryer electricity costs.
No Preheating (or Very Little)
Most air fryers reach their target temperature in 2–3 minutes, compared to 10–15 minutes for a conventional oven. This alone can save you significant time when you're in a hurry.
Essential Equipment for Air Fryer Baking
Before you start baking, you'll need a few key pieces of equipment. Check out our accessories page for our top recommendations.
Baking Tins and Moulds
Not all baking tins will fit in an air fryer basket. You'll need smaller versions of standard baking equipment:
- Round cake tins: 15cm (6-inch) or 18cm (7-inch) tins work well in most air fryers
- Muffin tins: Silicone muffin moulds are ideal as they're flexible and easy to remove
- Loaf tins: A small 20cm × 10cm (8-inch × 4-inch) loaf tin fits in most larger air fryers
- Ramekins: Perfect for individual cakes and soufflés
Silicone Bakeware
Silicone bakeware is particularly well-suited to air fryer baking. It's heat-resistant up to around 230°C (446°F), flexible for easy removal, and doesn't require greasing. Silicone muffin cups are especially handy as they can be placed directly in the basket without a tin.
Parchment Paper
Cut parchment paper to fit the bottom of your baking tin or basket. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup much easier. Never use parchment paper without food on top of it — the fan can blow it into the heating element.
Aluminium Foil
Aluminium foil can be used to tent baked goods that are browning too quickly on top. This is particularly useful for cakes and bread that need longer cooking times.
Air Fryer Baking: Temperature and Timing Guide
One of the most important adjustments when converting conventional oven recipes to air fryer recipes is reducing the temperature. As a general rule:
Reduce the temperature by 25°F (14°C) and check for doneness 5 minutes earlier than the recipe states.
Here's a quick reference guide:
| Baked Good | Conventional Oven | Air Fryer | Time | |------------|------------------|-----------|------| | Muffins | 375°F (190°C) | 350°F (177°C) | 12–15 min | | Cupcakes | 350°F (177°C) | 325°F (163°C) | 10–14 min | | Chocolate cake | 350°F (177°C) | 325°F (163°C) | 25–35 min | | Banana bread | 350°F (177°C) | 325°F (163°C) | 30–40 min | | White bread | 375°F (190°C) | 350°F (177°C) | 20–25 min | | Scones | 425°F (218°C) | 400°F (204°C) | 8–12 min | | Brownies | 350°F (177°C) | 325°F (163°C) | 15–20 min |
Always use a toothpick or skewer to test for doneness — insert it into the centre of the baked good, and if it comes out clean, it's ready.
Air Fryer Muffin Recipes
Muffins are arguably the easiest thing to bake in an air fryer. They're small, cook quickly, and the results are consistently excellent.
Classic Blueberry Muffins
Makes: 6 muffins Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients: - 1½ cups plain flour - ½ cup caster sugar - 2 teaspoons baking powder - ¼ teaspoon salt - ⅓ cup vegetable oil - 1 egg - ½ cup milk - 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Method: 1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (177°C) for 3 minutes. 2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. 3. In a separate bowl, combine the oil, egg, milk, and vanilla extract. 4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined — don't overmix, as this makes muffins tough. 5. Gently fold in the blueberries. 6. Divide the batter evenly among 6 silicone muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. 7. Place the muffin cups in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F (177°C) for 12–15 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. 8. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing from the cups.
Tips: If the tops are browning too quickly, loosely tent with aluminium foil for the last few minutes of cooking.
Banana and Walnut Muffins
These muffins are a brilliant way to use up overripe bananas, and they come out wonderfully moist in the air fryer.
Makes: 6 muffins Time: 18 minutes
Ingredients: - 2 very ripe bananas, mashed - ⅓ cup melted butter - ½ cup brown sugar - 1 egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1½ cups plain flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - ¼ teaspoon salt - ½ cup chopped walnuts
Method: 1. Preheat air fryer to 325°F (163°C). 2. Mix mashed bananas with melted butter, then stir in sugar, egg, and vanilla. 3. Fold in flour, baking soda, and salt until just combined. 4. Stir in walnuts. 5. Divide among 6 silicone muffin cups and cook at 325°F (163°C) for 15–18 minutes.
Air Fryer Cake Recipes
Cakes require a bit more attention in the air fryer, but the results can be spectacular. The key is using the right size tin and monitoring the cooking process.
Moist Chocolate Cake
This is a crowd-pleasing recipe that works beautifully in the air fryer. The circulating hot air creates a lovely crust while keeping the interior moist and fudgy.
Serves: 6–8 Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients: - 1 cup plain flour - 1 cup caster sugar - ½ cup cocoa powder - 1 teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon baking soda - ½ teaspoon salt - 2 eggs - ½ cup buttermilk - ½ cup vegetable oil - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ½ cup hot water
Method: 1. Grease and line a 15cm (6-inch) round cake tin with parchment paper. 2. Preheat air fryer to 325°F (163°C). 3. Whisk together all dry ingredients in a large bowl. 4. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla, and beat until smooth. 5. Stir in the hot water — the batter will be quite thin, which is normal. 6. Pour into the prepared tin. 7. Cook at 325°F (163°C) for 30–35 minutes, checking at the 25-minute mark. 8. If the top is browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil. 9. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
Frosting suggestion: A simple chocolate ganache made from equal parts dark chocolate and cream works beautifully on this cake.
Lemon Drizzle Cake
A classic Australian favourite, the lemon drizzle cake is wonderfully suited to air fryer baking.
Serves: 6 Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients: - 1 cup self-raising flour - ½ cup caster sugar - 125g softened butter - 2 eggs - Zest of 2 lemons - 2 tablespoons lemon juice - 2 tablespoons milk
For the drizzle: - Juice of 1 lemon - ½ cup icing sugar
Method: 1. Preheat air fryer to 325°F (163°C). 2. Beat butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. 3. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. 4. Fold in flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, and milk. 5. Pour into a greased and lined 15cm (6-inch) tin. 6. Cook at 325°F (163°C) for 25–30 minutes until golden and a skewer comes out clean. 7. While still warm, mix lemon juice and icing sugar and pour over the cake.
Air Fryer Bread Recipes
Bread baking in an air fryer is genuinely impressive. The hot circulating air creates a beautifully crispy crust while keeping the interior soft and chewy.
Simple White Bread Loaf
Makes: 1 small loaf Time: 25 minutes (plus proving time)
Ingredients: - 2 cups bread flour - 1 teaspoon instant yeast - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon sugar - ¾ cup warm water (around 110°F/43°C) - 1 tablespoon olive oil
Method: 1. Combine flour, yeast, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. 2. Add warm water and olive oil, and mix until a dough forms. 3. Knead on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. 4. Place in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and leave to prove in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size. 5. Punch down the dough, shape into a loaf, and place in a greased small loaf tin. 6. Leave to prove for another 30 minutes. 7. Preheat air fryer to 350°F (177°C). 8. Cook for 20–25 minutes until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. 9. Allow to cool on a wire rack before slicing.
No-Knead Focaccia
Focaccia is one of the easiest breads to make in an air fryer, and the results are outstanding.
Serves: 4 Time: 20 minutes (plus overnight proving)
Ingredients: - 2 cups plain flour - 1 teaspoon instant yeast - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 cup warm water - 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided - Flaky sea salt and rosemary to top
Method: 1. The night before, mix flour, yeast, salt, water, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight. 2. The next day, remove from the fridge and allow to come to room temperature for 1 hour. 3. Line a small baking tin with parchment paper and drizzle with remaining olive oil. 4. Spread the dough into the tin, dimple with your fingers, and top with sea salt and rosemary. 5. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). 6. Cook for 18–22 minutes until golden and crispy on top.
Tips for Successful Air Fryer Baking
Don't Overfill the Tin
Fill cake and muffin tins no more than two-thirds full. The batter will rise during cooking, and overfilling leads to overflow and uneven cooking.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients
Cold butter, eggs, and milk can cause batters to curdle or not combine properly. Take your ingredients out of the fridge 30 minutes before baking.
Rotate Halfway Through
Some air fryers have hot spots, particularly near the heating element. Rotating your baking tin halfway through cooking can help ensure even browning.
Test Early
Because air fryers cook faster than conventional ovens, start checking for doneness 5 minutes before the recipe suggests. Every air fryer is slightly different, and you'll get to know your model's quirks over time.
Let It Rest
Resist the temptation to remove baked goods from their tins immediately. Allow cakes and bread to rest for at least 10 minutes before turning out — this helps them set properly and prevents them from falling apart.
Troubleshooting Common Air Fryer Baking Problems
Problem: The top is browning too quickly Solution: Tent loosely with aluminium foil for the remaining cooking time.
Problem: The centre is still raw when the outside looks done Solution: Reduce the temperature by 25°F (14°C) and cook for longer. This is usually caused by too-high heat.
Problem: The baked good is sticking to the tin Solution: Ensure you're greasing the tin thoroughly and using parchment paper. Silicone moulds are the most reliable option.
Problem: The muffins are dense and heavy Solution: You've likely overmixed the batter. Stir until just combined — a few lumps are fine.
Problem: The bread isn't rising properly Solution: Check that your yeast is fresh and that the water temperature is correct — too hot (above 140°F/60°C) will kill the yeast, while too cold won't activate it.
Choosing the Right Air Fryer for Baking
Not all air fryers are equally suited to baking. For the best results, look for:
- Larger capacity: A 5L or larger basket gives you more room for baking tins
- Temperature control: Precise temperature settings (ideally in 5°C increments) are important for baking
- Even heat distribution: Look for models with good reviews for consistent cooking
Check out our air fryer reviews and compare models pages to find the best option for your baking needs. Our buying guide also has a dedicated section on the best air fryers for baking.
Final Thoughts
Air fryer baking is one of the most rewarding discoveries you can make as a home cook. Once you get the hang of the temperature adjustments and timing, you'll find that your air fryer produces baked goods that rival — and sometimes surpass — those from a conventional oven. The speed, energy efficiency, and convenience make it an excellent choice for everyday baking.
Start with muffins to build your confidence, then work your way up to cakes and bread. Before long, you'll wonder how you ever managed without this versatile appliance. For more inspiration, browse our recipes section and our blog for the latest air fryer tips and ideas.
Happy baking!
