Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sugar (you can use a sugar substitute for a lower-calorie version)
- 1/2 cup milk (any type of milk works, or you can use a dairy-free version like almond milk)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: cocoa powder (for a chocolate cake) or lemon zest (for a citrus twist)
Optional Toppings:
- Whipped cream
- Fresh berries
- Chocolate frosting
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Buttercream frosting or a drizzle of caramel sauce
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cake Pan:
- Choose a small cake pan that fits comfortably into your air fryer basket. A 6-inch round cake pan or a 4×4-inch square pan works well. Lightly grease the pan with butter or non-stick spray, and if you want an easy release, you can line the bottom with parchment paper.
- If you’re making a chocolate cake, you can sift in some cocoa powder to make the cake richer.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside for later.
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients:
- In another bowl, whisk the sugar, milk, vegetable oil (or melted butter), egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. If you’re making a flavored cake, like lemon or chocolate, you can add lemon zest or cocoa powder at this point.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until well combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake dense. The batter should be thick and smooth.
5. Pour Batter into the Pan:
- Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly.
6. Preheat the Air Fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C) for about 3 minutes. This helps the cake bake evenly.
7. Air Fry the Cake:
- Place the cake pan in the air fryer basket. Cook at 320°F (160°C) for 15-20 minutes, checking with a toothpick or cake tester about halfway through. When the toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the cake is done. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the cake, so check it periodically after 15 minutes.
- If the top is getting too brown before the cake is done, you can cover it loosely with a piece of foil to prevent overbrowning while the inside finishes cooking.
8. Cool and Serve:
- Once the cake is baked, remove it from the air fryer and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve the cake as is, or top with whipped cream, fresh berries, a dusting of powdered sugar, or your favorite frosting.
Nutritional Information (per serving, based on 8 servings):
- Calories: 200
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Net Carbs: 23g
- Protein: 4g
- WW Points: 6 (depending on ingredients)
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Cake:
- Quick and Easy: The air fryer cooks the cake much faster than a traditional oven. In just 20 minutes, you can have a moist, homemade cake without the wait.
- Perfect for Small Batches: Air fryers are great for making smaller portions, so you don’t have to bake a huge cake. If you’re only serving one or two people, this is ideal.
- Customizable Flavors: The basic cake recipe is super versatile. You can make a chocolate cake by adding cocoa powder or a lemon cake by adding lemon zest. Get creative with different flavorings!
- No Oven Needed: On hot summer days or when you don’t want to heat up the entire kitchen, using the air fryer is a perfect alternative to using the oven.
- Healthier Option: Because the air fryer requires little to no oil, you can cut down on the fat compared to traditional cake recipes that often use butter or oil. You can also substitute healthier ingredients, like using applesauce instead of oil for a lighter option.
Tips & Variations:
- Chocolate Cake: Add 1/3 cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients to make a rich chocolate cake. You can also mix in chocolate chips for added indulgence.
- Carrot Cake: For a carrot cake variation, add 1/2 cup of grated carrots and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter.
- Fruit Cake: Add fresh berries, chopped apples, or dried fruit into the batter for a fruity twist.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make a gluten-free version of this cake. Just make sure to use a flour that works well for baking.
- Frosting: Top with your favorite frosting. Buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or a simple whipped topping are all great options. You can even drizzle chocolate ganache for a more decadent treat.
- Layered Cake: If you’d like to make a layered cake, bake two smaller cakes, then stack them with frosting or filling in between.
Air Fryer Cake is a game-changer for quick, easy, and delicious baking. With minimal ingredients and equipment, you can create a beautifully baked cake that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re making a simple vanilla cake or a rich chocolate treat, the air fryer ensures that you can have a warm, moist cake ready in no time!