Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this post. At no cost to you, I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

What can you bake in an air fryer?

Many customers have asked whether an air fryer can be used for baking; the answer is yes. If you do not have an oven home, you can still make delicious baked goods with an air fryer.

As an air fryer does not have the same capacity as a conventional oven, you will need to bake in multiple batches when using an air fryer. Additionally, you will need to make size adjustments to accommodate your baked goods.

Online recipes are typically written for conventional ovens, so if you’re using an air fryer for baking, you’ll need to adjust the baking time and temperature slightly.

In this guide on how to bake with an air fryer, you will gain a deeper understanding of how an air fryer works, what can and cannot be baked in an air fryer, and how to convert standard oven recipes for your air fryer. These are only guidelines; unique recipes may yield slightly different results!

What does the air fryer do?

Air fryers are typically used for cooking “fried” foods without adding oil, fat, or calories.
However, the process within an air fryer is not frying at all. Inside the cooking, the chamber is a heating element and a fan that circulates hot air.
The cooking process is similar to a convection oven (fan-forced setting). Still, in an air fryer, the hot air circulates much more quickly, allowing it to come into contact with the entire surface of the food more efficiently, resulting in a crispy exterior.
Notice the holes in the basket of your air fryer upon close inspection. These holes increase the contact between the food and the hot air, allowing the food to cook more quickly and uniformly.
Some air fryers may be able to cook food more evenly than others. If your air fryer produces unevenly cooked food, keep the following in mind: Always preheat your air fryer before use, and stop halfway through cooking to rotate the pan, just as you would when baking in an oven.

What Can and cannot bake with an air fryer

What Can Bake

Cookies

As previously stated, an air fryer circulates hot air more rapidly; consequently, a small batch of cookies can be cooked in as little as five minutes.

Butter or cooking spray should coat the air fryer basket to prevent cookies from sticking. You can also use foil or parchment paper to line the base.

Aside from minor baking time and temperature adjustments, which will be covered later in the article, using an air fryer for baking cookies is identical to using an oven. Please avoid toppings that may melt, as they may catch fire.

Cakes, cupcakes, and quick breads

These relatively dense batters are one of the most straightforward baked goods to prepare. Due to the proximity of the surface of these batters to the air fryer’s heating element, baking them in an air fryer will result in slightly caramelized, crisp tops. However, the centers will remain soft and airy, just as they are when baked.

Cinnamon rolls

Surprisingly, cinnamon rolls are one of the best foods baked in an air fryer. Just be sure to do it properly by cutting them into smaller pieces and not baking too many.

If you use frozen cinnamon roll dough, it will be perfectly baked in approximately 9 to 11 minutes.

Doughnuts

Deep-frying is the conventional method for preparing doughnuts. In addition to a large amount of sugar used to coat them, the additional oil prevents us from overeating. What if we told you that using an air fryer would produce equally delicious treats without the added fat and calories?
You can make healthier doughnuts at home by adjusting the time, temperature, and distance between doughnuts.

Chiffon and Sponge Cakes

Cakes with a relatively thin batter can be difficult to bake in an air fryer because the batter can become dispersed and create a mess.

However, this can be avoided by baking the cookies in a tall, sturdy metal pan. The only additional step required to bake a chiffon cake in an air fryer is to line the pan with aluminum foil and poke holes in it. Remove the foil and bake the cake for an additional 5 minutes. The outcome will be just as fluffy as those baked in the oven!

What You Shouldn’t Bake

Smaller baked goods

Although it is recommended to reduce the size of standard-sized baked goods to fit in an air fryer, there are better choices than air fryers for baking small items such as choux pastry (cream puffs), madeleines, or mini-cupcakes.
Because each item is so small and must be baked separately with sufficient space between them, you will need to bake them in multiple batches. This could result in leaving the remaining batter out for too long.
If you leave out choux pastry dough or any batter for too long, it will lose its ability to rise. Leavening agents such as baking powder and baking soda have a relatively short duration of action, so their effect may have diminished significantly by the time the last batch is baked.
This is also true for miniature cakes that require meringues for volume. If the batter is not baked immediately, the beaten egg whites will begin to deflate, resulting in a flatter and denser cakes.

Everything with cheese

If you’re considering using your air fryer for baking something with cheese on top and want to avoid dealing with a mess later, we advise against it. As soon as cheese comes into contact with the air fryer’s hot surface, it will melt, creating a difficult-to-clean mess. However, you can still try baking with cheese if it is not exposed to air (e. g., for muffin filling).

Important Guidelines Before Beginning

Start by Cleaning Your Air Fryer

It is essential to clean your air fryer before, and after cooking, regardless of the function you are using. If you don’t, outside flavors can seep into your baked goods, and you don’t want old food particles in your baked goods!

Smaller batches may be required.

Before baking, it is essential to consider the size of your air fryer and realize that if you want to make a large number of baked goods, you will have to bake in multiple batches. Small batches are recommended, as overcrowding can result in uneven cooking or undercooked food.

Adjust Bake Time and Temperature as Necessary

Traditional recipes assume that you are baking in an oven; therefore, you will need to adjust the ingredients and cooking time to achieve the best results. Because air fryers circulate hot air, they cook food more quickly than conventional ovens. There are some general guidelines to keep in mind when adjusting time and temperature.

Reduce the recommended temperature by approximately 25 degrees Fahrenheit and the cooking time by about 20%. Due to the increased heat and circulation, Neal warns that it is easy to overbake in an air fryer and advises checking for doneness frequently to avoid burning.

Do Not Eliminate Oil Entirely

Even though we are “air” frying, we cannot eliminate oil. Even if your air fryer baskets are nonstick, you will need to grease your pan just as you would for traditional baking. We advise avoiding using nonstick sprays, as they can damage the nonstick surface. Instead, we suggest greasing or lining your air fryer baskets with perforated parchment paper, similar to how you would prepare a steamer basket. According to Neal, this method is ideal for cookies and other baked goods that may stick to the basket, as the perforations allow hot air to circulate correctly and evenly cook the food.

You might require additional supplies.

Typically, the same materials used in a conventional oven can also be used in an air fryer. This means that an air fryer can use high-quality, heat-resistant silicone, stoneware, and aluminum pans.

However, it is essential to consider the size of your supplies. Check the dimensions of your air fryer to ensure that your pans and tools fit (the most common fitting dimensions include a 6-by-3-inch round cake pan), and choose shallow pans so that they will do and the baked goods will cook more quickly.

Perforated parchment paper, nonstick silicone spatulas, silicone tongs, and a silicone egg bite mold are additional baking supplies that will assist you with your air fryer.

With an Air Fryer, baking couldn’t be more straightforward.

Air fryers are highly efficient and can help you save time in the kitchen, but keep in mind that their baking capabilities are somewhat limited compared to those of a traditional oven.

However, you can still produce delectable baked goods with a few modifications and adjustments! Remember the most important rules: never overcrowd and adjust cooking time and temperature accordingly.

Want to bake with your air fryer? Consider baking the Citrus Cream Cheese Cupcakes, Gula Melaka Brown Butter Brownies, and Orange Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies recipes.

FAQs

You can also use the air fryer to make baked goods. Baking food in the air fryer can be beneficial because you’ll save time by not having to preheat the oven. It’s also a good choice for people who are avoiding firing up the oven during hot summer months or if you only want to make a few cookies at a time.

Anything with a wet batter

Recipes that use a wet batter, including fried chicken, will end up being very messy if cooked in an air fryer. This is because there won’t be enough hot oil to set the batter, and it will likely drip everywhere rather than forming a crunchy coating.

Bundt cakes are ideally suited to air-fryer baking. To make it into a lemon Bundt cake: I make the batter, pour it into my lightly greased half-size (3-cup) Bundt pan, and place the pan into the fryer bucket. I select the bake setting (325°F with a 2-minute preheat) and set it for 40 minutes.

An air fryer can help add air frying or convection baking capabilities to your kitchen and offers a convenient size when preparing a single batch of chicken wings, bacon, zucchini fries or other fried favorites. However, an air fryer can’t replace a conventional oven when it comes to capacity.

Scoop 2-tablespoon dough balls into the air fryer basket, about 1.5 inches apart. You should be able to fit 2-4 depending on the size of your air fryer. Air Fryer at 325F degrees F for 5-7 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Allow cookies to rest 2-3 minutes in the air fryer before removing.

You can use any ovenproof dish or mold in the Airfryer, whether it is made of glass, ceramic, metal or silicone. You can also use silicone or paper cupcake cups or molds to bake cupcakes, muffins or small gratins.

If the dish is oven-safe, made of borosilicate or tempered glass, it can work in an air fryer. However, if the dish is made of soda-lime glass, it can’t withstand high temperatures in an air fryer.

Air fryers are similar to convection ovens, but they typically cook food faster than a standard oven because the hot air circulates more quickly around the food.

Related Posts

Why Trust Us

You will find what you are looking for at Jody's Bakery. From classic to luxury brands, you'll find both. We will help you to select appliances that fit your needs, budget and lifestyle. Whether you want to stop by to learn more — or plan to make a major purchase — we’ll treat you like family and assist you every step of the way. Shop with us today to receive friendly and experienced help along the way.

Tags:

We will be happy to hear your thoughts

      Leave a reply

      Best Deals For You

      Best price
      Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Pro
      SaveSavedRemoved 0

      Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Pro

      20

      The Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Pro has truly elevated my cooking experience. With its precise water circulation at the exact temperature needed, I've achieved perfect results every time, eliminating the risk of over or undercooking my meals. Sous vide cooking with this device has proven to be ...

      $290.00 $399.00 Buy It Now
      Best seller
      Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet
      SaveSavedRemoved 0

      Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet

      20

      The Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet is a versatile and durable kitchen essential, perfect for beginners, home cooks, and chefs alike. Crafted in America with iron and oil, this skillet is designed to handle any kitchen cooktop, oven, grill, or open flame. One of the standout features of Lodge cast ...

      $19.90 $34.25 Buy It Now
      Best seller
      Tovolo Vented Collapsible Medium Microwave Cover
      SaveSavedRemoved 0

      Tovolo Vented Collapsible Medium Microwave Cover

      10

      The Tovolo Vented Collapsible Medium Microwave Cover is a versatile and practical kitchen accessory designed to enhance your microwave cooking experience. This cover features perforated lids that protect your microwave from splatters and spots. Crafted from BPA-free plastic and silicone, the topper covers food to ...

      Best value
      Nostalgia MyMini Personal Electric Skillet
      SaveSavedRemoved 0

      Nostalgia MyMini Personal Electric Skillet

      50

      The Nostalgia MyMini Personal Electric Skillet is a versatile and convenient appliance for on-the-go meals. It offers a quick and healthier way to cook a variety of dishes, including ramen noodles, pasta, mac and cheese, steamed rice, stir fry, omelets, hard-boiled eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, cookies, ...

      Best seller
      Elite Gourmet EG6207 Fry Pan
      SaveSavedRemoved 0

      Elite Gourmet EG6207 Fry Pan

      20

      The Elite Gourmet EG6207 Fry Pan is a versatile and convenient addition to any kitchen. With its 10.5-inch size, it allows you to expand your cooking capabilities without the need for remodeling. The non-stick marble stone coating and cast-in heating element make cooking and clean-up a breeze. Whether you're whipping ...

      Braun MQ7035X 3-in-1 Immersion Hand
      SaveSavedRemoved 0

      Braun MQ7035X 3-in-1 Immersion Hand

      40

      The Braun MQ7035X 3-in-1 Immersion Hand Blender stands out with its innovative features and versatile functionality. The Easy SmartSpeed technology allows for single-hand operation with no predefined speed settings. Simply follow your intuition by pushing gently for roughly chopped results and increasing the ...

      $79.96 $109.95 Buy It Now
      Editor choice
      Breville the Barista Pro Espresso Machine
      SaveSavedRemoved 0

      Breville the Barista Pro Espresso Machine

      30

      The Breville the Barista Pro Espresso Machine offers a barista-quality performance with a user-friendly interface, making it easy to create third wave specialty coffee in the comfort of your home. The integrated grinder ensures that the right amount of freshly ground coffee is delivered on demand, resulting in a rich ...

      $699.99 Buy It Now
      Editor choice
      Cuisinart PRS-50 Pasta Roller & Cutter Attachment
      SaveSavedRemoved 0

      Cuisinart PRS-50 Pasta Roller & Cutter Attachment

      90

      Cuisinart PRS-50 Pasta Roller & Cutter Attachment is a perfect addition to your Precision Master Stand Mixer, allowing you to create a variety of homemade fresh pasta with ease. This attachment includes both spaghetti and fettuccine cutters, as well as a pasta roller, offering versatility in pasta shapes and ...

      $169.95 $179.95 Buy It Now
      Editor choice
      Instant Stand Mixer Pro
      SaveSavedRemoved 0

      Instant Stand Mixer Pro

      40

      Instant Stand Mixer Pro delivers powerful performance with its 600-watt motor, making it a versatile kitchen companion for a variety of culinary tasks. From whipping smooth meringues to kneading yeast dough, this stand mixer handles it all with ease. Featuring a digital interface, the mixer offers 10 speed ...

      $199.95 $299.99 Buy It Now
      Editor choice
      Koolatron 6 Bottle Wine Cooler
      SaveSavedRemoved 0

      Koolatron 6 Bottle Wine Cooler

      80

      The Koolatron 6 Bottle Wine Cooler offers an affordable and elegant solution for wine enthusiasts, providing a stylish and compact freestanding design that accommodates up to 6 standard-sized wine bottles. This wine fridge is a perfect addition to any table or countertop, allowing you to enjoy your favorite vintages ...

      Editor choice
      Hamilton Beach 2 Slice Extra Wide Slot Toaster
      SaveSavedRemoved 0

      Hamilton Beach 2 Slice Extra Wide Slot Toaster

      60

      Hamilton Beach 2 Slice Extra Wide Slot Toaster is a versatile and user-friendly appliance designed to make toasting a breeze. With slots wider than those on many 2-slice toasters, this toaster accommodates thicker breads, bagels, and other specialty bread items effortlessly. The extra-wide slots ensure a perfect ...

      Best value
      Hamilton Beach Blender Combo
      SaveSavedRemoved 0

      Hamilton Beach Blender Combo

      40

      The Hamilton Beach Blender for Shakes and Smoothies & Food Processor Combo offers impressive 3-in-1 versatility, making it a powerhouse in the kitchen. This combo includes a 40 oz. glass blending jar for larger servings, a 20 oz. blend-in personal blender travel jar for on-the-go convenience, and a 3-cup ...

      $68.65 $74.99 Buy It Now
      Show next
      Jody's Bakery
      Logo
      Compare items
      • Total (0)
      Compare
      0
      Shopping cart