Fluffy Air Fryer Vanilla Cake
This air fryer vanilla cake is a delicious sweet treat that’s super simple to make. It’s perfect for those who want to satisfy their sweet tooth without spending hours in the kitchen.
This simple recipe makes a smaller cake, so it can fit in the air fryer. It’s baked in a 6-inch round pan. Using an air fryer to make cake might seem unconventional, but it produces a moist and fluffy cake just as good as one baked in a traditional oven.
Plus, it’s a great option for those who don’t have access to an oven or want to avoid heating up the house during the hot summer months. It’s a classic vanilla cake you can decorate however you like.
I like to keep it simple and dust it with powdered sugar. For a fancier frosting, check out this brown butter buttercream!
Ingredients
The amounts for the cake ingredients are given in the printable recipe card below. Here is a rundown of what you will need.
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Unsalted butter – brings great buttery flavor.
- Vegetable oil- this keeps the cake moist. You can use liquid coconut oil or other mild-tasting vegetable oil)
- Granulated white sugar
- Large eggs
- Vanilla paste or pure vanilla extract. (Don’t skimp on this, as it’s a key part of a good vanilla cake.)
- Natural yogurt (or you can use buttermilk or sour cream)
Equipment
- This cake is baked in a 6-inch pan. You could also use a small loaf pan.
- An air fryer – This recipe is great for a smaller air fryer.
- Electric hand mixer for creaming the butter and sugar.
Method
Grease a 6-inch cake pan with cooking spray or oil. Line the bottom with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients – Flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, cream butter, granulated sugar, and the oil until light and fluffy using an electric mixer (or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment).
It should lighten in color and get nice and creamy. Add the eggs, vanilla, and yogurt and whisk to combine.
Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix together on low speed, or fold them in with a rubber spatula.
Spoon the cake batter into the prepared pan.
Bake the cake in the air fryer at 320°F (160°C) for around 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake.
If it comes out clean, the cake is done. If it’s not clean, lower the heat to 300°F (150°C) bake the cake for another 5-10 minutes and check again.
Repeat this process until the toothpick comes out clean. The top of the cake will cook much faster than the middle of the cake.
The cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer.
Once the cake is baked, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes, remove the cake from the pan and place it on a cooling rack to cool completely.
Cooling the cake on a rack allows air to circulate around it, preventing the bottom from becoming moist.
Frost or decorate the cake how you like.
Serving and Storing the Cake
Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing it.
- Use a sharp knife to cut even slices.
- You can serve the cake as it is or with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream.
- If you’re serving the cake for a special occasion or a birthday party, you can decorate it with frosting, sprinkles, or fresh fruit.
Storing the Cake
If you have leftover cake, you can store the cake at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. If you want to freeze the cake, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container. You can freeze the cake for up to 3 months.
Variations
- Lemon Vanilla Cake: Add the zest of one lemon to the batter and drizzle a lemon glaze on top of the cooled cake.
- Chocolate Chip Vanilla Cake: Fold in a cup of chocolate chips into the batter before baking for a delightful chocolate twist.
- Berry Vanilla Cake: Add fresh or frozen berries (such as blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries) to the batter.
- Nutty Vanilla Cake: Mix in chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans to the batter to add a crunchy texture.
- Confetti Vanilla Cake: Stir in rainbow sprinkles to the batter to create a fun, colorful cake.
More air fryer dessert recipes
Air Fryer Vanilla Cake
A delicious and fluffy vanilla cake cooked in the air fryer!
Ingredients
- 156g (1 ¼ cup) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 56g (¼ cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 28g (2 Tbsp ) vegetable oil
- 135g (⅔ cup) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste
- 120g (½ cup) natural yogurt
Instructions
- Grease a 6-inch cake pan with cooking spray or oil. Line the bottom with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients - Flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, cream butter, granulated sugar, and the oil until light and fluffy using an electric mixer (or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment). It should lighten in color and get nice and creamy. Add the eggs, vanilla, and yogurt and whisk to combine.
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix them on low speed, or fold them with a rubber spatula.
- Spoon the cake batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake the cake in the air fryer at 320°F (160°C) for 25 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. If it's not clean, lower the heat to 300°F (150°C), bake the cake for another 5 minutes, and check again. Repeat this process until the toothpick comes out clean.
- Once the cake is baked, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, remove the cake from the pan and place it on a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Frost or decorate the cake how you like.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 245Total Fat 11gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 63mgSodium 241mgCarbohydrates 33gFiber 1gSugar 18gProtein 4g
