How to bake in an air fryer
Baking in an air fryer is easier than you might think and surprisingly effective. The compact design and steady heat circulation make it possible to create everything from cookies and muffins to small cakes and loaves with less time than a traditional oven.
In this guide, you will learn how to bake step by step, how to adjust oven recipes for air frying, and how to avoid common mistakes along the way.
But before we dive into the how, let us start with why baking in an air fryer is worth trying in the first place.
Why bake in an air fryer
Air fryers bake faster than conventional ovens because they circulate hot air continuously in a smaller space. They heat up within 3–5 minutes, compared to the 10–15 minutes most ovens need. The effective airflow gives your favourite baked goods a beautifully crisp exterior while keeping the inside soft and moist.
In short, baking in an air fryer is all about convenience as you save time and still get delicious results. But what exactly can you bake in an air fryer? Find out below.
What you can bake in an air fryer
You can bake most of your favourite treats in an air fryer, like cookies, brownies, muffins, cupcakes, scones, banana bread, and even doughnuts. Work in small batches to ensure an even rise and a golden-brown baked finish.
It is best to skip deep or multi-layer cakes, as they need broader, gentler heat to bake evenly. Likewise, avoid wet batters that would usually be deep-fried, as they tend to drip and will not set properly without hot oil.
Knowing what you can bake is one thing, but mastering the process is another. Let us go through it step by step to make sure your air fryer bakes turn out perfectly every time.
Baking with the air fryer step-by-step
Baking in an air fryer is not complicated; it just requires a few small adjustments to get it right. Follow this simple step-by-step breakdown to ensure your bakes turn out evenly cooked, golden on the outside, and tender in the middle.
1. Preheat: Preheat your air fryer for 3–5 minutes at the desired temperature to help your bakes air-fry evenly and develop a crisp, golden surface. Some models include a preheat setting, while others require you to do it manually.
2. Prepare the batter: Grease your cake pans or moulds thoroughly with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking. Fill them only about two-thirds full to allow space for rising.
3. Arrange properly: Place your bakeware in the air fryer basket with enough room for the air to circulate. Never stack unless your model includes a raised rack specifically made for this purpose.
4. Monitor progress: Check your bakes regularly. The compact space means things bake faster than in a traditional oven. Rotate pans halfway through to promote even browning.
5. Test doneness: Insert a toothpick or cake tester into the centre. It should come out clean or with minimal crumbs.
Once you have the basic process down, the next step is learning how to convert oven temperatures and baking times to fit your air fryer perfectly.
How to convert oven temperatures and baking times
When adapting an oven recipe for the air fryer, the rule of thumb is to reduce both the temperature and the time.
Lower the oven temperature by about 15 °C.
Shorten the baking time by around 20–25 %.
For example, if a recipe calls for 180 °C for 30 minutes in a conventional oven, bake it at roughly 165 °C for 22–24 minutes in the air fryer.
If you are baking from frozen, keep the same temperature but cut the cooking time by 50 %. Remember, all air fryers are slightly different, as fan speeds and wattage can vary, so it is best to check your bakes around 30 % earlier than the original recipe suggests. Check out our air fryer conversion chart to learn more, or keep reading to see our temperature guide for popular baked goods.
Temperature guide for popular baked goods
Once you have chosen the right pan size, preheated your air fryer, and familiarised yourself with conversions, the next step is selecting the right temperature and time for the bake. The table below gives recommended starting ranges for a wide variety of common bakes, from cookies to loaves. You can use these as a reference, then adjust slightly based on your air fryer model and how your baked goods turn out.
| Bake | Temperature (°C) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate chip cookies | 150–165 °C | 8–12 minutes |
| Muffins and cupcakes | 155–165 °C | 12–18 minutes |
| Small Cakes (15–18 cm) | 160 °C | 25–35 minutes |
| Banana Bread (small loaf) | 155 °C | 30–40 minutes |
| Brownies | 165 °C | 15–20 minutes |
| Scones | 175 °C | 8–12 minutes |
These benchmarks are a great starting point. Once you have tried a few, you will quickly learn how your own air fryer behaves and how to fine-tune each bake to perfection.
Next up, learn which bakeware and tools work best in an air fryer so you can bake confidently and safely every time.
Best bakeware and equipment for air fryers
Baking in an air fryer requires the right tools. Choose bakeware that fits your model and materials that promote even heating.
Pans that fit with clearance: Most air fryer baskets work well with 15–20 cm round or square tins. Always leave space around the edges for proper air circulation, and choose shallow tins about 5 cm deep.
Materials: Light-coloured metal or silicone pans bake evenly and prevent over-browning. Avoid dark-coated tins, which absorb too much heat.
Liners: Use perforated parchment or silicone liners with holes to prevent sticking while still allowing hot air to circulate freely.
With the right equipment in hand, you are almost ready to start baking in your air fryer. But first, take a look at some simple ways to keep your bakes soft and moist.
Keep bakes moist
Air fryers circulate hot air quickly, which can easily dry out baked goods if you are not careful. To keep your cakes and muffins soft, add moisture-rich ingredients like yoghurt, applesauce, or extra butter to the batter.
Before baking, lightly brush the surface with melted butter or oil to form a protective layer that locks in moisture. You can also cover your bakes loosely with aluminium foil for the first half of the baking time to prevent over-browning while helping retain humidity.
For extra moisture, place a small heat-safe cup of water in the air fryer basket (without touching the food). The added steam works especially well for breads and cakes.
If you notice the edges browning too fast, lower the temperature by 5–10 °C. Shallow tins also help the centre bake evenly before the top darkens too much.
With these tricks in mind, you are ready to tackle the most common air fryer baking mistakes and how to fix them.
4 common air fryer baking mistakes and how to fix them
Even the best air fryer recipes can go sideways without a few key techniques. These common baking issues are easy to fix once you know what is going wrong and why. Below, we cover four frequent problems and how to fix them.
1. Bakes that brown too fast: If the top darkens before the centre is done, lower the temperature slightly and cover with foil partway through. Air fryers run hotter than ovens, so gentle heat gives a better balance.
2. Dry or dense texture: This often happens when the air circulation removes too much moisture. Add yoghurt, applesauce, or a little extra butter to your batter, and avoid overbaking by checking a few minutes early.
3. Uneven cooking: Crowded baskets or tight pans restrict airflow. Bake in smaller batches, use shallow tins, and rotate trays halfway through for even results.
4. Bakes that do not rise properly: Cold ingredients or overfilled pans can limit rise. Bring ingredients to room temperature and fill pans only two-thirds full to leave room for expansion.
These small fixes go a long way in improving your results. Still have questions? Continue on and find answers to some of the most common questions about baking in an air fryer.
Questions about baking with an air fryer
Here is an overview with answers to the most common questions about baking in an air fryer. You can use it as a handy resource to revisit whenever you are unsure or want to double-check your baking setup.
Yes, you need to preheat the air fryer for baking. Give it about 3–5 minutes to warm up so the basket and air inside reach an even temperature before adding the batter or dough. A preheated air fryer helps cakes and other leavened bakes rise properly and bake evenly. While a few simple treats might turn out fine without this step, anything made with baking powder or rising agents will benefit from starting in a hot environment.
Yes, you can use regular cake pans if they fit your basket and leave enough space for airflow (about 2–3 cm clearance all around). Metal, silicone and ceramic pans work fine. Glass and very thin moulds may crack or overcook because they cannot handle the rapid changes in temperature as well.
Your air fryer bakes come out dry because the fan removes moisture as it circulates hot air. To counter this, add ingredients such as yoghurt, applesauce, or a little more butter to your batter. Brushing a light layer of oil over the surface and placing a small cup of hot water in the basket can also help maintain humidity during baking.
Most standard air fryers fit pans in the 15–20 cm range. Measure your basket’s full internal width and depth, then subtract about 5 cm to make sure there is room for airflow. Choosing a suitably sized pan helps bake evenly and avoids trapped steam or undercooked centres.
More air fryer guides and recipes to discover
If you are just getting started with your air fryer or want to brush up on the basics, our guide on how to use an air fryer breaks it all down clearly, from first-time setup to daily cooking tips. Once you are comfortable with the equipment, these air fryer recipes for beginners are a great place to start testing easy, crowd-pleasing favourites.
Looking for more specific ideas? Whether you are after plant-based options like our vegetarian air fryer recipes or need quick morning inspiration from our air fryer breakfast recipes, there is plenty to explore. For the best of the best, check out roundups like 8 delicious air fryer breakfast ideas and 10 easy vegetarian air fryer recipes.
