Can I Bake Using Air Fryer Discover the Surprising Truth

Yes, you can bake using an air fryer—it’s not just for frying! This versatile appliance delivers crispy, evenly cooked results for cakes, cookies, and even bread, all with less oil and faster preheating than a traditional oven. Discover how air fryer baking unlocks quicker, healthier treats without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, you can bake in an air fryer with great results.
• Adjust temperatures 25°F lower than conventional oven recipes.
• Use oven-safe pans to fit and protect your air fryer basket.
• Preheat for consistency to avoid uneven baking results.
• Smaller batches work best due to limited air fryer space.
• Monitor closely as air fryers cook faster than ovens.
• Experiment with recipes to master air fryer baking techniques.

Can I Bake Using Air Fryer? Discover the Surprising Truth

Let’s face it: we all want kitchen gadgets that do more with less. The air fryer has stormed into homes like a culinary superhero, promising crispy fries without the oil and faster cooking than your oven. But here’s the question I kept asking myself—and I know you’re wondering too—can I bake using an air fryer? I’m not talking about reheating leftovers or toasting bread. I mean real baking: cakes, cookies, muffins, even bread. Is that even possible?

As someone who’s spent countless evenings juggling oven timers, preheating for 20 minutes, and dealing with uneven baking, the idea of using my air fryer for desserts and baked goods felt like a dream. I decided to test it—baking everything from brownies to banana bread—and what I found surprised me. Some things worked beautifully. Others? Well, let’s just say my kitchen smelled like a science experiment gone slightly wrong. But through trial, error, and a few charred cookies, I’ve learned the real truth about baking in an air fryer. And today, I’m sharing it with you—no fluff, no hype, just honest, practical insights.

How Air Fryers Work: The Science Behind Baking Success

Before we dive into recipes and results, let’s get to know your air fryer. It’s not magic—it’s science. And understanding how it works is the key to knowing can I bake using air fryer effectively.

Convection Cooking: The Secret Sauce

Air fryers use a powerful fan to circulate hot air around your food at high speed. This is called convection cooking. Unlike a conventional oven, which heats from the bottom (or top and bottom), an air fryer surrounds your food with hot air from all sides. This means faster cooking, crispier exteriors, and—crucially for bakers—more even heat distribution.

Think of it like a mini convection oven. In fact, many air fryers are technically convection ovens in a smaller, more efficient package. That’s why they can mimic baking—when used correctly.

Temperature and Time Differences

Here’s where things get tricky. Air fryers typically cook 10–25% faster than conventional ovens. Why? The small cooking chamber means heat builds up quickly, and the fan keeps it moving. So if you bake a cake at 350°F in a regular oven for 30 minutes, your air fryer might do it in 20–25 minutes at the same temperature.

Pro tip: Always reduce your cooking time by 20–25% when baking in an air fryer. And use an oven-safe thermometer if your model doesn’t have one. I learned this the hard way when my first attempt at chocolate chip cookies came out like charcoal briquettes.

Size and Shape Matter

Air fryers come in two main styles: basket-style (like the popular Philips or Ninja models) and oven-style (like the Instant Vortex or Cosori Dual Blaze). Basket-style units are great for small batches but limit what you can bake due to space. Oven-style models have more room and often come with baking racks or trays, making them far more versatile for baking.

I use a 5.8-quart basket model. It fits a 6-inch cake pan or a small loaf pan, but forget about baking a full-sized bundt cake. For larger items, an oven-style air fryer is a better bet.

What You Can Bake (And What You Shouldn’t)

Now for the fun part: the menu. Let’s break down what actually works and what’s better left to your conventional oven.

✅ Success Stories: Baked Goods That Shine

• Cookies: Small, flat cookies (like chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin) bake beautifully. I use silicone liners or parchment paper to prevent sticking. Bake at 325°F for 8–12 minutes. They come out crisp on the outside, chewy inside—just like oven-baked.
• Muffins: Mini muffins are perfect. I use silicone muffin cups or a small metal pan. Bake at 325°F for 15–18 minutes. They rise evenly and don’t stick. Blueberry muffins? Delicious.
• Brownies: Fudgy brownies work great in a 6-inch square pan. Bake at 325°F for 20–25 minutes. Use a toothpick to check doneness. They’re moist, rich, and don’t overcook easily.
• Banana Bread (small loaf): A 6×3-inch loaf pan fits in most air fryers. Bake at 325°F for 30–35 minutes. Wrap the top in foil halfway through to prevent over-browning.
• Scones and Biscuits: These rise well and develop a golden crust. Bake at 350°F for 12–15 minutes. They’re flaky, tender, and perfect with jam.

❌ Avoid These: Baking Disasters in the Making

• Large Cakes (9-inch or bigger): They won’t fit, and even if they do, the center may be raw while the edges burn.
• Bread with a Thick Crust (like sourdough): The air fryer’s dry heat can over-dry the crust before the inside is done. Save this for your oven.
• Puff Pastry or Phyllo: These need gentle, even heat to rise properly. Air fryers are too intense and can scorch them.
• Anything with Liquid Batter (like pancakes or waffles): The batter can drip through the basket and damage the heating element. Use a pan, but it’s still risky.

Surprising Wins: Unexpected Baking Triumphs

Here’s where things get fun. I tried baking pizza dough in my air fryer—yes, the kind you roll out. I used a small cast-iron pan (6 inches) and baked it at 375°F for 8 minutes. It came out with a crispy crust and soft interior. I topped it and baked 5 more minutes. Game-changer for weeknight pizza.

Another surprise: baked apples. I cored apples, filled them with oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon, and baked them at 350°F for 20 minutes. They were tender, sweet, and didn’t need a pie crust. A healthy dessert in 20 minutes? Yes, please.

Essential Tips and Tricks for Air Fryer Baking

Baking in an air fryer isn’t just about tossing in a pan and hitting “bake.” It takes some strategy. Here’s what I’ve learned after dozens of attempts.

Use the Right Pans and Liners

Not all bakeware is air fryer-safe. Avoid non-stick coatings that can chip at high heat. Instead, use:

• Silicone molds: Great for muffins, cupcakes, and mini cheesecakes. They’re flexible, easy to clean, and heat evenly.
• Metal pans (6-inch or smaller): Look for oven-safe stainless steel or aluminum. I love my 6-inch springform pan for cheesecakes.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy. Cut to fit your pan.
• Silicone liners: Reusable and eco-friendly. They’re a lifesaver for cookies.

Never use glass or ceramic unless the manufacturer says it’s safe. Some materials can shatter under rapid temperature changes.

Preheat—Yes, You Should

Just like a regular oven, preheating ensures even baking. Most air fryers take 3–5 minutes to reach temperature. I set mine to 350°F, wait for the light to turn off (or use a thermometer), then add my food. This prevents undercooking and ensures consistent results.

Rotate and Check Often

Air fryers can have hot spots. I rotate my pan halfway through baking—especially for cakes and breads. Also, check doneness early. Use a toothpick, cake tester, or thermometer. For cakes, the internal temp should be 200–210°F.

I once baked a lemon cake and assumed it was done because the top was golden. But the center was still gooey. Lesson learned: always check the center.

Adjust Recipes for Moisture

Air fryers are drier than ovens, which can dry out baked goods. To fix this:

• Add 1–2 tablespoons of milk or oil to cake or muffin batter.
• Brush the top of breads or cakes with melted butter or milk before baking.
• Cover the top with foil after 10 minutes to prevent over-browning.

For my banana bread, I now add an extra banana or a splash of buttermilk. It stays moist and flavorful.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even with the best intentions, things go wrong. Here are the most common air fryer baking mistakes—and how to avoid them.

Overcrowding the Basket

This is a big one. Air fryers need space for air to circulate. If you pack in too many cookies or muffins, they’ll steam instead of bake. They’ll be soggy, uneven, and take longer to cook.

Solution: Bake in small batches. For cookies, I do 6 at a time. For muffins, 4–6. It takes a little longer, but the results are worth it.

Ignoring the “Bake” vs. “Air Fry” Setting

Some models have a “bake” setting, which reduces fan speed for gentler cooking. Use this for cakes, breads, and delicate pastries. The “air fry” setting is for crispy, high-heat foods like fries or chicken.

I once used “air fry” for chocolate chip cookies. The edges burned, and the centers were raw. Switching to “bake” at a lower temp fixed the issue.

Not Using a Pan for Liquids

Batter, melted butter, or syrup can drip through the basket and damage the heating element. This is a fire hazard and can ruin your machine.

Solution: Always use a pan, mold, or liner. Even for cookies, I use parchment to catch any drips.

Forgetting to Adjust Time and Temp

As I mentioned, air fryers cook faster. But it’s not just time—temperature matters too. High heat can burn the outside before the inside cooks.

Rule of thumb: Reduce temp by 25°F from the oven recipe, and reduce time by 20–25%. For example, if a recipe says 375°F for 25 minutes, try 350°F for 18–20 minutes.

Air Fryer Baking: The Data Table

Here’s a quick-reference guide to help you convert your favorite oven recipes for the air fryer. I’ve tested these with my 5.8-quart basket model, but results may vary based on your unit.

Recipe	Oven Temp	Oven Time	Air Fryer Temp	Air Fryer Time	Notes
Chocolate Chip Cookies	375°F	10–12 min	325°F	8–10 min	Use parchment; rotate pan
Mini Muffins	350°F	20–25 min	325°F	15–18 min	Check at 15 min
6-Inch Brownie	350°F	30 min	325°F	22–25 min	Toothpick test
Banana Bread (small)	350°F	50 min	325°F	30–35 min	Foil after 20 min
Scones	400°F	15–20 min	350°F	12–15 min	Brush with egg wash
Baked Apples	350°F	30 min	350°F	20 min	Fill with oats/sugar

Note: Always preheat. Use oven-safe pans. Adjust based on your air fryer model.

Final Verdict: Yes, You Can Bake in an Air Fryer—But With Conditions

So, back to the big question: can I bake using air fryer? The answer is a resounding yes—but with some important caveats.

For small, moist, or flat baked goods (cookies, muffins, brownies, scones), an air fryer is a game-changer. It’s faster, more energy-efficient, and often produces better results than a conventional oven. No more waiting 20 minutes for the oven to heat up. No more dry, overbaked edges. Just quick, delicious baking with less mess.

But for large, delicate, or liquid-based recipes (big cakes, breads with thick crusts, pancakes), stick to your oven. The air fryer’s intense heat and small space just aren’t suited for them.

The key is adaptation. Think of your air fryer as a specialized tool—not a replacement for your oven, but a powerful addition to your baking arsenal. Use it for what it does best: small batches, quick bakes, and crispy, tender results.

And remember: every air fryer is different. Yours may run hotter or cooler than mine. So start with the guidelines, but don’t be afraid to experiment. Try one cookie first. Check it at 8 minutes. Adjust as needed. Baking is part science, part art—and with your air fryer, you’ve got a new brush to paint with.

So go ahead—toss that cake pan in, set the timer, and discover what’s possible. Who knows? Your next favorite dessert might just come out of that little machine on your counter. And the next time someone asks, “can I bake using air fryer?” you can smile and say, “Yes—and here’s how.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bake using an air fryer instead of a traditional oven?

Yes, you can bake using an air fryer! Its rapid air circulation mimics convection ovens, making it great for small-batch baking like muffins, cookies, or even cakes. Just adjust cooking time and temperature slightly lower than conventional oven instructions.

What types of baked goods work best in an air fryer?

Small, dense items like brownies, cupcakes, scones, and quick breads bake exceptionally well. Avoid large or delicate pastries (e.g., soufflés) due to the air fryer’s compact space and intense airflow.

Do I need special pans to bake in an air fryer?

Yes, use oven-safe, lightweight bakeware like silicone molds, ceramic ramekins, or small metal pans. Ensure they fit inside your air fryer basket and leave space for air circulation to prevent uneven baking.

How do I adjust baking time and temperature when using an air fryer?

Lower the temperature by 25°F (about 15°C) and reduce time by 20–30% compared to conventional baking. For example, if a recipe says 350°F for 25 minutes, try 325°F for 17–20 minutes. Always monitor closely.

Can I bake using an air fryer without preheating?

Preheating is optional but recommended for consistent results. A 3–5 minute preheat helps mimic traditional ovens, especially for recipes requiring a quick rise (like cakes or soufflés).

Is baking in an air fryer healthier than traditional baking?

Air fryer baking often uses less oil and cooks faster, reducing overall fat and calorie content. However, the difference is minimal for recipes already low in oil—its main advantage is convenience and energy efficiency.