Air Fryer Chocolate Cake with Frosting
Craving a sweet treat but don’t want the hassle of heating up the oven? This double chocolate Air Fryer Cake recipe is your new best friend. Not only is it surprisingly simple to make, but it’s also a deliciously moist and flavorful cake. This tempting cake recipe is perfect for small gatherings, impromptu dessert cravings, or even as a special treat for yourself.
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My kitchen’s been my personal food lab, where I’ve mixed and matched to perfection recipes like this air fryer cake for over 40 years. Air fryer chocolate cake is a fun, foolproof way to bake up a storm, whether you’re a kitchen newbie or a seasoned pro. Get ready to whip up some chocolatey magic and feel like a baking rockstar!
Why You Will Love Making Air Fryer Cake
Who knew that your air fryer could be a secret weapon for baking? This air fryer cake recipe is amazing for several reasons:
- Effortless Cooking: Say goodbye to preheating ovens and worrying about uneven baking. The air fryer provides a consistent temperature, making it easier to bake a perfect cake.
- Quick and Convenient: Short on time? No problem. This recipe is quicker than traditional oven baking, ideal for busy lifestyles.
- Perfect for Small Batches: If you’re not looking to bake a huge cake, this recipe is ideal. It’s perfect for small families or when you want just enough cake to satisfy your sweet tooth.
- Innovative Baking: Impress your friends and family with your baking creativity. An air fryer cake made from scratch is not something you see every day!
- Easy Cleanup: With less mess than traditional baking methods, cleanup is a breeze, leaving you more time to enjoy your delicious creation.
- Customizable: This recipe is just a starting point. Feel free to experiment with different flavors and mix-ins!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Cake with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Making a layer cake in an air fryer might sound unconventional, but it’s surprisingly straightforward. Here’s how you can whip up this delicious treat:
Preparing Your Ingredients and Air Fryer
First things first, gather all your ingredients for both the cake and the frosting. Make sure you have all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and the other essentials listed. Then, preheat your air fryer to 355°F (180ºC), which is a key step for even cooking.
Mixing the Batter
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and then add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and coffee.
Tip: You can use instant coffee, even decaf is great! Mix it with a little hot water until it dissolves and then fill the rest of the cup up with cold water.
Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients
Now, mix the dry and wet ingredients just until well combined. Remember, overmixing can lead to a tough cake, so mix just enough to blend everything together smoothly.
Baking the Cake
Grease a 9-inch round cake tin and line it with baking paper. Pour the batter into the pan, and then place it in the air fryer. Cover the pan with aluminum foil to prevent the top from burning, and air fry for 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Making the Frosting
While the cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. Beat the unsalted butter, confectioner’s sugar, salt, and melted dark chocolate together until creamy.
Assembling the Cake
Once the cake is cool, cut it into layers using a cake cutter or bread knife. Spread the frosting between each layer and on the top. Feel free to get creative with your decoration!
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
To make your air fryer cake even more successful, here are some handy tips and tricks:
- Don’t Skip Preheating: Just like with a traditional oven, preheating your air fryer is crucial for even baking.
- Check Cake Doneness Properly: Use a toothpick to check if the cake is done. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready.
- Avoid Overmixing the Batter: Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense cake.
- Can I use a different type of oil instead of vegetable oil? Certainly. Coconut oil or even olive oil (for a different flavor profile) can be used as alternatives.
- Coffee: Caffeinated or decaffeinated are both great for this recipe. You can use freshly brewed coffee that has cooled, instant coffee dissolved in a little hot water at first before adding cold water. The coffee can also be omitted or replaced with water, but it adds depth to the chocolate flavor.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This is especially important for eggs and buttermilk, as they blend more easily with the dry ingredients.
- Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to add your favorite flavors to the batter or frosting, like cinnamon, salted caramel, or even orange zest for a twist.
- Cake Pan Size: Make sure your cake pan fits comfortably in your air fryer basket before you add the batter to it. If it’s too large, it can affect the cake’s cooking time and evenness.
- Let the Cake Cool Before Frosting: Frosting the cake while it’s still warm can lead to a melted and messy outcome. Patience is key!
How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Cake
Got some leftover cake? No problem! Here’s how to keep it fresh:
- Room Temperature Storage: If you plan to eat the cake within a couple of days, store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Refrigerate: For longer storage, wrap the cake in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in the fridge. It can last up to a week this way.
- Freezer: You can also freeze unfrosted cake layers. Wrap them in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting and serving.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: Keep the cake away from direct sunlight and heat sources, as these can cause the frosting to melt and the cake to dry out.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Cake
Pairing your air fryer cake with the right accompaniments can turn it into an even more delightful treat. Here are some ideas to enhance your cake-eating experience:
Add a Scoop of Ice Cream
For an extra indulgent dessert, serve a slice of your air fryer cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast between the warm cake and the cold ice cream is a classic combination that never fails to please.
Fresh Fruit for a Light Touch
If you prefer something lighter, fresh fruits like strawberries or raspberries, or a Fruit Salad can add a refreshing element to your chocolate cake. Not only do they provide a nice color contrast, but their tartness balances the sweetness of the cake beautifully.
Whipped Cream or Yogurt
A dollop of whipped cream or a spoonful of Greek yogurt can also complement your air fryer chocolate cake. It adds creaminess or a slight tang that can elevate the overall flavor profile of your dessert.
More Air Fryer Dessert Recipes You Will Love
- Air Fryer Strawberry Cheesecake
- Air Fryer Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls
- Air Fryer Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Air Fryer Cheesecake
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Air Fryer Chocolate Cake with Frosting
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup cold brewed coffee
For the frosting:
- 1 ¼ cups unsalted butter
- 4 cups confectioner’s sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup dark chocolate melted
Instructions
For the cake:
- Preheat your air fryer to 355°F/180ºC.
- Grease a 9-inch round cake and line it with baking paper.
- Mix the flour, sugar, cocoa, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together in a large bowl.2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, ¾ cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon baking powder, 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- In another bowl, beat the eggs and add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract and coffee.2 large eggs, 1 cup buttermilk, 1 cup vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cup cold brewed coffee
- Mix the dry and wet ingredients just until well combined, don’t over mix.
- Transfer the mixture to the cake pan and air fry for 40 min (covered with foil) or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cut the cake in two using a cake cutter or bread knife.
For the frosting:
- To make the frosting, beat all the elements with an electric mixer until creamy.1 ¼ cups unsalted butter, 4 cups confectioner’s sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ cup dark chocolate
- Layer the cakes with the frosting and decorate with some frosting swirls and chocolate. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t Skip Preheating: Just like with a traditional oven, preheating your air fryer is crucial for even baking.
- Check Cake Doneness Properly: Use a toothpick to check if the cake is done. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready.
- Avoid Overmixing the Batter: Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can lead to a dense cake.
- Can I use a different type of oil instead of vegetable oil? Certainly. Coconut oil or even olive oil (for a different flavor profile) can be used as alternatives.
- Coffee: Caffeinated or decaffeinated are both great for this recipe. You can use freshly brewed coffee that has cooled, or instant coffee dissolved in a little hot water at first before adding cold water. The coffee can also be omitted or replaced with water, but it adds depth to the chocolate flavor.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This is especially important for eggs and buttermilk, as they blend more easily with the dry ingredients.
- Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to add your favorite flavors to the batter or frosting, like cinnamon, salted caramel, or even orange zest for a twist.
- Cake Pan Size: Make sure your cake pan fits comfortably in your air fryer basket before you add the batter to it. If it’s too large, it can affect the cake’s cooking time and evenness.
- Let the Cake Cool Before Frosting: Frosting the cake while it’s still warm can lead to a melted and messy outcome. Patience is key!
Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature Storage: If you plan to eat the cake within a couple of days, store it in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Refrigerate: For longer storage, wrap the cake in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in the fridge. It can last up to a week this way.
- Freezer: You can also freeze unfrosted cake layers. Wrap them in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting and serving.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: Keep the cake away from direct sunlight and heat sources, as these can cause the frosting to melt and the cake to dry out.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
