Can You Bake in an Air Fryer

Can You Bake in an Air Fryer? A Comprehensive Guide to Air Fryer Baking

Air fryers have taken kitchens by storm, celebrated for their ability to “fry” foods with little to no oil. But can you bake in an air fryer? The short answer is yes, you absolutely can. An air fryer is essentially a compact convection oven, using rapid hot air circulation to cook food, which makes it surprisingly versatile for baking. From cookies to cakes to bread, air fryers can handle a variety of baked goods, often with quicker preheat times and energy savings compared to a traditional oven. However, baking in an air fryer comes with its own set of nuances. In this article, I’ll walk you through what you can bake, how to do it successfully, and the tips and tricks I’ve learned from experimenting with my own air fryer.

Why Bake in an Air Fryer?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s talk about why you might want to bake in an air fryer. For one, it’s a game-changer for small-batch baking. If you’re craving just a couple of cookies or a single-serve cake, heating up a full-sized oven feels like overkill. Air fryers preheat in just a few minutes—sometimes as little as two—compared to the 20-30 minutes a conventional oven might take. This speed, combined with lower energy consumption, makes air fryers an efficient choice, especially in hot weather when you don’t want to heat up your entire kitchen.

Another perk is portion control. Baking a full tray of brownies in an oven might leave you with leftovers that go stale, but an air fryer’s smaller capacity encourages smaller batches, perfect for one or two people. Plus, the rapid air circulation can create unique textures, like a crispy exterior on muffins or a caramelized top on cakes, that you might not get from a traditional oven.

What Can You Bake in an Air Fryer?

Air fryers excel at baking a wide range of treats, though they’re best suited for certain recipes. Here’s a rundown of what works well:

• Cookies: Chocolate chip, peanut butter, or shortbread cookies are fantastic in an air fryer. The hot air gives them a crispy edge while keeping the centers chewy. Try recipes like those from King Arthur Baking, which has a great guide for air fryer cookies.
• Muffins and Cupcakes: These are ideal for air fryers because their small size allows for even cooking. Silicone muffin cups or small metal pans work best.
• Quick Breads: Think banana bread or zucchini bread. These dense, moist loaves bake well, though you’ll need to adjust the temperature to avoid over-browning.
• Cheesecakes: Basque-style or Japanese cheesecakes, which benefit from a caramelized crust, are particularly suited for air fryers. The compact environment mimics a water bath effect for creamy results.
• Doughnuts: Air fryer doughnuts, especially from store-bought dough, cook in as little as five minutes and come out fluffy with a crisp exterior.
• Casseroles and Pies: Small casseroles or pies, like mini quiches or fruit pies, can work, but you’ll need to blind-bake pie crusts to ensure they cook through.

That said, not everything is a perfect fit. Large cakes or delicate pastries like croissants can be tricky. The intense heat from the air fryer’s top heating element can burn the surface before the center is fully cooked, and lightweight toppings like streusel might blow around in the basket.

How to Bake Successfully in an Air Fryer

Baking in an air fryer isn’t just about tossing in a recipe and hoping for the best. Here are some practical tips to get great results, based on my own trial and error:

Temperature and Time

Air fryers cook faster and hotter than traditional ovens due to their compact size and powerful fan. A good rule of thumb is to lower the oven recipe’s temperature by 25°F (about 14°C) and reduce the cooking time by 20-25%. For example, if a cookie recipe calls for 375°F for 10 minutes in an oven, try 350°F for 8 minutes in the air fryer. Always check for doneness early—use a toothpick for cakes or muffins, or look for golden edges on cookies.

the Right Bakeware

Size matters in an air fryer. Standard baking pans are often too large, so opt for 6- to 8-inch pans or silicone molds that fit your air fryer’s basket. I’ve had great success with a 6-inch round pan for cakes and silicone muffin cups for cupcakes. Make sure there’s enough space around the pan for air to circulate, as this is key to even cooking. Wilton makes air fryer-friendly bakeware that’s worth checking out.

(Sometimes)

Preheating your air fryer is a good idea for recipes with baking powder or soda, as these leaveners need an initial burst of heat to activate properly. Most air fryers heat up in just 2-4 minutes, so it’s quick. However, for cookies, some bakers skip preheating to avoid over-browning, placing the dough on parchment and starting the air fryer cold.

Over-Browning

The top-down heat in most air fryers can cause the tops of baked goods to brown too quickly. To prevent this, cover your bake with aluminum foil or parchment paper partway through cooking, securing it so it doesn’t blow around. For cakes, I’ve found that poking a few holes in the foil allows steam to escape while protecting the surface. Alternatively, recipes with a streusel topping can naturally shield the cake from burning.

or Rotate for Even Cooking

Since air fryers heat from the top, the bottom of your baked goods might cook more slowly. For cookies or rolls, flip them halfway through for even browning. For cakes or breads, rotate the pan if your air fryer has uneven heat distribution. If you notice one side browning faster, a quick turn can make a big difference.

Recipes to Try

Ready to give it a go? Here are a couple of beginner-friendly ideas to get you started:

• Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies: Mix a small batch of dough (try halving your favorite recipe), roll into balls, and place on parchment in the air fryer basket. Bake at 325°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway. You’ll get crispy edges and a gooey center.
• Mini Banana Bread: Use a 6-inch loaf pan and a standard banana bread recipe, but reduce the temperature to 330°F and check after 25-30 minutes. Cover with foil after 15 minutes to keep the top from burning.

For more inspiration, BBC Good Food has a collection of air fryer dessert recipes, including brownies and lemon drizzle cake, that are tailored for air fryer baking.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

I’ve had my share of baking mishaps in the air fryer, so let me save you some trouble:

• Burnt Tops, Raw Centers: This happens when the temperature is too high. Lower it and extend the cooking time. Covering with foil helps, too.
• Uneven Cooking: If your air fryer cooks unevenly, pause midway to rotate or flip your bakeware. Also, avoid overcrowding the basket.
• Dry Results: Delicate recipes can dry out due to the intense heat. Stick to denser batters like brownies or cheesecakes, and don’t skip the foil cover for cakes.

Is Air Fryer Baking Worth It?

After baking everything from cookies to a mini cheesecake in my air fryer, I can say it’s a fantastic tool for small households or quick treats. It’s not going to replace your oven for a towering wedding cake, but for a weeknight dessert or a single loaf of banana bread, it’s hard to beat. The energy savings, quick preheat, and ability to keep your kitchen cool are huge bonuses. Plus, there’s something satisfying about mastering a new way to use a gadget you already own.

So, can you bake in an air fryer? Absolutely. With the right adjustments and a bit of practice, you’ll be whipping up delicious baked goods in no time. Start with a simple recipe, tweak the temperature and time, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Your air fryer might just become your new favorite baking tool.