Air Fryer Strawberry Cake
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My first slice of this Air Fryer Strawberry Cake hit exactly right, with a tender, buttery crumb and soft, juicy strawberries. I genuinely sat down to savor every bite. The sour cream keeps it impossibly moist, and a dusting of powdered sugar makes it look like something from a bakery. Trust me, nobody ever stops at just one.
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I make this dessert for spring brunches, Mother’s Day, summer gatherings, or any afternoon when fresh strawberries are at their peak and I want to turn them into something really beautiful. The air fryer gets it done faster than the oven, making it perfect for last-minute entertaining. Store covered in the fridge for up to 4 days and bring to room temperature before serving.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Strawberry Cake with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Making this cake is one of those genuinely enjoyable kitchen projects where the result looks way more impressive than the effort involved.
Prep the Pan
Line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the sides. I use a round cake pan to get clean edges every time.
Getting this done first means your batter goes straight in without sitting out.
Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar for 4 to 5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. A stand mixer or hand mixer makes this step fast and effortless, and that full 4 to 5 minutes of creaming is what gives the cake its lift.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Mix the Dry Ingredients and Combine
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. I reach for my stainless steel flour sifter to make sure everything is evenly distributed before it hits the batter.
Gradually add the dry ingredients and the sour cream to the butter mixture, alternating between them. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing here since that can toughen the crumb.
SERIOUSLY GOOD
DESSERTS!
Dessert First is a collection of 61 RECIPES to show you that you can make beautiful, impressive desserts right in your own kitchen, no matter your skill level.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Lemon Pound Cake
∙ Key Lime Bars
∙ Boston Cream Pie
∙ No-Bake Chocolate Lasagna
∙ Raspberry Cheesecake
...and much more!
Fold in the Strawberries and Top the Batter
Fold in most of the sliced strawberries, reserving a handful for the top. A strawberry huller makes prepping the berries quick and clean before you slice them.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the surface. Arrange the reserved strawberries on top and sprinkle with the granulated sugar. A flexible silicone spatula is great for gently folding the berries without breaking them up.
Air Fry the Cake
Bake in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 25 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. I use my air fryer with a wide basket for this every time, and it bakes the cake evenly with a beautiful golden top.
Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before transferring it to a serving plate. Cooling it fully in the pan keeps it from cracking or falling apart.
Dust and Serve
Before serving, dust with powdered sugar and garnish with extra fresh strawberries if desired.
If you’re taking this to a gathering, wait to dust with powdered sugar until you arrive. Transport the cake in a hard-sided container to protect the top and keep the cake secure during the ride.
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 cups strawberries sliced
For the Topping:
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- Fresh strawberries
Instructions
- Line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper and lightly grease the sides.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar for 4–5 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.½ cup unsalted butter, 1 cup sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients and sour cream to the butter mixture, alternating between the two. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ cup sour cream
- Fold in most of the sliced strawberries, reserving a handful for the topping. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the surface. Arrange the reserved strawberries on top and sprinkle with granulated sugar.2 cups strawberries, 3 tablespoons sugar
- Bake in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 25 minutes or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before transferring it to a serving plate.
- Before serving, dust with powdered sugar and garnish with extra fresh strawberries if desired.3 tablespoons powdered sugar, Fresh strawberries
Notes
- Cream the butter fully: Don’t rush the creaming step. The full 4 to 5 minutes gives the cake its light, fluffy texture, so set a timer and let the mixer do its thing.
- Alternate the dry ingredients and sour cream: Adding them alternately rather than all at once keeps the batter smooth and prevents the mix from curdling or becoming dense.
- Gently fold the strawberries in: Use a spatula and fold rather than stir so the berries stay intact and don’t bleed too much color into the batter before baking.
- Don’t skip smoothing the batter: Smoothing the surface before adding the topping strawberries helps the cake bake evenly and gives you that pretty, bakery-style finish on top.
- Cool completely before transferring: Let the cake cool fully in the pan, then move it to a plate to prevent it from breaking apart and give the crumb time to set.
- Dust with powdered sugar last: Wait until just before serving to add the powdered sugar since it absorbs into the cake quickly and won’t look as fresh if added too far in advance.
Nutrition
SERIOUSLY GOOD
DESSERTS!
Dessert First is a collection of 61 RECIPES to show you that you can make beautiful, impressive desserts right in your own kitchen, no matter your skill level.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Lemon Pound Cake
∙ Key Lime Bars
∙ Boston Cream Pie
∙ No-Bake Chocolate Lasagna
∙ Raspberry Cheesecake
...and much more!
How to Store Leftovers
Keep leftover Air Fryer Strawberry Cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or transfer it to an airtight glass container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The sour cream in the batter keeps the crumb moist even after a day or two in the fridge, so the texture holds up really well.
To freeze, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for about an hour, then add a fresh dusting of powdered sugar right before serving, as it tends to absorb into the cake as it sits.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Strawberry Cake
It’s lovely on its own, but a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside a slice makes it feel really special. For brunch, I like serving it with a fruit salad heavy on the berries to keep the strawberry theme going, or alongside a pitcher of fresh lemonade for a bright, summery spread.
For a more dessert-forward spread, a drizzle of white chocolate or a smear of strawberry jam on the side pairs beautifully with the soft crumb and fresh berries. Hot tea or iced coffee are both great drinks to serve alongside for a brunch or afternoon treat.
More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home
Here are more easy air fryer desserts I think you’ll love.
