Can You Bake in an Air Fryer?

An air fryer is essentially a compact convection oven. Hot air circulates rapidly around the food, so baking happens faster and more intensely than in a conventional oven. The small cavity size means heat is more concentrated. Reduce your oven recipe temperature by 25°F (about 15°C) and start checking for doneness 20–25% earlier than the recipe states. A toothpick test works just as well as in a conventional oven.

Individual portions shine in the air fryer: cupcakes and muffins, small cakes in 6-inch pans, brownies, cookies baked in batches, cinnamon rolls, biscuits, and small quick breads. Preheat the air fryer for at least 3 minutes before adding batter. Use oven-safe ramekins, silicone molds, or small metal pans that fit with at least half an inch of clearance on all sides for airflow.

Large layer cakes (8-inch or 9-inch rounds) usually do not fit. Tall soufflés risk hitting the heating element. Foods with very wet, runny batters can splatter onto the heating element and create smoke. Breads with long rise times work, but managing the environment is harder than in a closed oven. Cheesecakes can be done but require a water bath workaround or may crack.

Always use a pan rather than pouring batter directly into the basket. Cover the top of cakes loosely with foil during the first half of cooking to prevent over-browning before the interior sets. Rotate the pan halfway through baking if your air fryer heats unevenly. Let baked goods cool in the pan for 5–10 minutes before unmolding — they are more fragile hot than oven-baked goods.

Can you bake a cake in an air fryer?

Yes — you can bake small cakes, muffins, brownies, and quick breads in an air fryer using an oven-safe pan that fits inside the basket (typically a 6-inch round pan). Reduce the oven temperature by 25°F and reduce the baking time by 20–25% compared to a conventional oven recipe. The compact environment means the top can over-brown quickly — check at the halfway mark and tent loosely with foil if the top is darkening before the center sets. Always test doneness with a toothpick.

How do you adjust baking time and temperature for an air fryer?

Reduce the temperature by 25°F (about 15°C) compared to the conventional oven recipe and start checking for doneness 20–25% earlier. For example, a recipe calling for 350°F for 30 minutes would become 325°F for approximately 22–24 minutes in the air fryer. The concentrated circulating heat of an air fryer bakes faster and browns more aggressively than a conventional oven. Always use the toothpick test or internal temperature to confirm doneness rather than relying solely on time.

What size baking pan fits inside most air fryer baskets?

Most basket-style air fryers (4–6 qt) can fit a 6-inch round cake pan or a 6x6-inch square pan — measure your basket's interior before buying any accessory pan. Silicone pans are particularly practical because they can be flexed to fit and are non-stick without greasing. Avoid pans taller than 3 inches in compact fryers, as they can sit too close to the heating element and cause the top of baked goods to burn before the center sets.