Air Fryer Vanilla Cake: Perfect Single-Layer Dessert in 25 Minutes

Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Vanilla Cake

Craving homemade cake but don’t want to heat up your entire kitchen? This air fryer vanilla cake is your answer! Forget waiting an hour for your oven to preheat and bake—this moist, fluffy cake is ready in just 25 minutes from start to finish. Whether you’re a beginner baker or just want a quick dessert fix, this recipe delivers bakery-quality results with minimal fuss and cleanup.

Table of Contents

The best part? You don’t need any special equipment beyond your trusty air fryer. This single-layer cake is perfect for small households, unexpected guests, or when you want to satisfy that sweet tooth without making a massive dessert that’ll tempt you for days.

Quick Info Table

Prep Time	Cook Time	Total Time	Servings	Difficulty
10 mins	15 mins	25 mins	6-8	Easy

What You’ll Need

For the Cake:

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup whole milk
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Simple Vanilla Glaze (Optional):

1 cup powdered sugar
2-3 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Substitution Notes:

Dairy-free: Use plant-based milk and vegan butter
Gluten-free: Substitute with 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
Lower sugar: Reduce granulated sugar to 1/2 cup for a less sweet cake

Step-by-Step Directions

Prepare your air fryer and pan. Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Grease a 7-inch round cake pan or springform pan that fits in your air fryer basket. Line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.
Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Make sure there are no lumps.
Combine wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together melted butter, milk, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. The mixture should be well blended with no streaks of egg visible.
Create the batter. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold together using a spatula until just combined—don’t overmix! A few small lumps are perfectly fine.

Pro Tip: Overmixing develops the gluten too much, resulting in a tough, dense cake. Stop mixing as soon as you don’t see dry flour.

Transfer to pan. Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan and gently tap the pan on the counter to release any air bubbles. Smooth the top with a spatula.
Air fry the cake. Place the pan in the air fryer basket. Cook at 320°F for 12-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
Cool completely. Remove the pan from the air fryer and let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before glazing.

Important: Don’t skip the cooling step! A warm cake will make your glaze melt and slide right off.

Make the glaze (if using). Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Start with 2 tablespoons of milk and add more if needed for your desired consistency.
Finish and serve. Once the cake is completely cool, drizzle with glaze or dust with powdered sugar. Slice and enjoy!

How to Serve

This versatile air fryer cake pairs beautifully with:

Fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream
Ice cream for an à la mode experience
Coffee or tea for an afternoon treat
Caramel or chocolate sauce drizzled on top

For special occasions, dress it up with:

Fresh mint leaves as garnish
A light dusting of cinnamon
Sliced almonds or chopped nuts

Expert Tips for Success

Storage: Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 1 week. The cake actually gets more moist after the first day!

Flavor Variations:

Lemon cake: Replace vanilla with lemon extract and add 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Chocolate chip: Fold in 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips before baking
Almond cake: Use almond extract instead of vanilla for a nutty flavor

Troubleshooting:

Cake is too dry: You may have overbaked it or used too much flour. Try reducing cook time by 1-2 minutes next time.
Cake didn’t rise: Check that your baking powder is fresh (replace every 6 months) and don’t overmix the batter.
Uneven cooking: Rotate the pan halfway through cooking if your air fryer has hot spots.

Baker’s Secret: Room temperature ingredients mix together more easily and create a smoother batter. Take your egg and milk out 30 minutes before baking.

Make-Ahead Option: You can make this cake a day ahead. It actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld together!

Common Questions

Can I double this recipe?

You can, but you’ll need to bake it in batches since most air fryers can only accommodate one 7-inch pan. The batter also won’t keep well while waiting, so it’s better to make two separate batches.

What if I don’t have a 7-inch pan?

You can use a 6-inch pan (reduce cooking time to 10-12 minutes) or even make individual cupcakes in silicone molds (cook for 8-10 minutes). Just adjust the timing accordingly.

Can I make this without eggs?

Yes! Replace the egg with 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water (let sit for 5 minutes until thickened).

Why is my cake sticking to the pan?

Make sure to grease your pan thoroughly and line the bottom with parchment paper. Also, let the cake cool for the full 10 minutes before attempting to remove it from the pan.

Can I freeze this cake?

Absolutely! Wrap the cooled, unglazed cake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and add glaze before serving.

Final Thoughts

This air fryer vanilla cake proves that you don’t need a full-size oven to create something absolutely delicious. It’s perfectly portioned, incredibly moist, and ready in a fraction of the time of traditional baking methods. Whether you’re new to air frying or a seasoned pro, this recipe is practically foolproof and guaranteed to become a go-to favorite.

The best part? You can have warm, homemade cake any day of the week without the commitment of a large dessert. So fire up that air fryer and treat yourself—you deserve it! Once you try this method, you’ll wonder why you ever waited for your oven to preheat again.