Can I Bake in an Air Fryer Oven Discover the Surprising Answer

Yes, you can bake in an air fryer oven—it’s not just for frying! This versatile appliance delivers crispy, golden results with less oil, making it perfect for baking everything from muffins to cookies. Discover how your air fryer oven can replace your conventional oven for faster, energy-efficient baking with delicious outcomes.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, you can bake in an air fryer oven with great results.
• Adjust temperatures 25°F lower than conventional oven recipes.
• Use bakeware that fits safely and allows air circulation.
• Preheat first for even baking and consistent textures.
• Monitor closely as air fryers cook faster than ovens.
• Ideal for small batches like cookies, muffins, and casseroles.

Can I Bake in an Air Fryer Oven? The Truth You Need to Know

Let’s face it—kitchen appliances can be confusing. You’ve probably stared at your air fryer oven, wondering, “Can I bake in an air fryer oven?” Maybe you’ve seen recipes for air-fried chicken wings or crispy fries, but baking? That feels like uncharted territory. I’ve been there too. When I first got my air fryer oven, I was excited to try everything from reheating pizza to making crispy tofu. But when it came to baking, I hesitated. Would my cookies burn? Could I even make a cake without drying it out? The answer surprised me.

The truth is, yes, you can bake in an air fryer oven—and it’s easier than you think. Whether you’re craving muffins, brownies, or even a small batch of cookies, your air fryer oven can handle it. But there are nuances to get right. In this guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned through trial, error, and a few (slightly charred) experiments. We’ll cover how it works, what to bake, and how to avoid common pitfalls. By the end, you’ll feel confident turning your air fryer oven into a mini-bakery.

How Air Fryer Ovens Work for Baking

To understand if you can bake in an air fryer oven, let’s start with how these appliances work. Air fryer ovens use rapid air circulation to cook food. A heating element warms the air, and a fan blasts it around your food at high speed. This creates a crispy exterior (like frying) with little to no oil. But baking relies on even, gentle heat—so how does that work?

The Science of Air Circulation vs. Traditional Baking

Traditional ovens use radiant heat (from the bottom or top) and natural convection. Air fryer ovens add forced convection (the fan) to speed things up. This means your baked goods cook faster, but the intense airflow can dry out delicate items. For example:

• Cookies and brownies do great—they’re dense and benefit from crisp edges.
• Angel food cake or soufflés struggle—they need slow, gentle heat to rise.

Think of it like this: Air fryer ovens are the “sprinters” of the kitchen—fast and intense. Traditional ovens are the “marathon runners”—steady and patient. But with the right techniques, your air fryer oven can mimic both.

Temperature and Timing Adjustments

Here’s the golden rule: Reduce the temperature by 25°F and check early. Air fryer ovens run hotter than conventional ovens. If a recipe says 350°F for 20 minutes in a regular oven, set your air fryer oven to 325°F and start checking at 12–15 minutes. Why? The fan’s airflow concentrates heat, so food cooks faster and can brown more quickly.

Pro tip: Use an oven-safe thermometer to verify the internal temperature. For example, a cake is done when it hits 210°F, and cookies are perfect at 190°F. This takes the guesswork out of “is it done yet?”

What Can You Bake in an Air Fryer Oven? (With Examples)

Now for the fun part: What recipes work? I’ve tested everything from cookies to quiches, and here’s what I found.

1. Cookies and Brownies (The Stars of Air Fryer Baking)

Dense, chewy baked goods thrive in air fryer ovens. The fan crisps the edges while keeping the center moist. Try these:

• Chocolate chip cookies: Use a small scoop (1–2 tbsp) and bake at 325°F for 8–10 minutes. They’ll spread less than in a regular oven, so flatten the dough balls slightly.
• Fudge brownies: Bake in a 6-inch pan at 325°F for 20–22 minutes. The crust will be crackly, and the center will stay fudgy.

Why it works: These recipes have enough structure to handle the airflow. Plus, the quick cooking time prevents over-drying.

2. Muffins and Quick Breads

Air fryer ovens are perfect for small-batch baking. A silicone muffin pan or mini loaf pan fits easily, and the results are impressive:

• Blueberry muffins: Use a 6-cup silicone pan. Bake at 325°F for 15–18 minutes. The tops will be golden, and the inside stays fluffy.
• Banana bread: A mini loaf pan (5×3 inches) works best. Bake at 325°F for 25–30 minutes. Insert a toothpick—it should come out clean.

Tip: Line the pan with parchment paper or silicone to avoid sticking. Air fryer ovens can dry out edges, so check often.

3. Pies and Tarts (Yes, Really!)

Surprise! You can bake mini pies and tarts in your air fryer oven. The key is using a small dish (4–5 inches) and pre-baking the crust:

• Apple pie bars: Press pie dough into a small dish, pre-bake for 5 minutes, then add filling and bake 12–15 minutes at 350°F.
• Lemon tart: Use a silicone tart pan. Bake the crust first (5 minutes at 325°F), then add custard and bake 10–12 minutes.

Note: Avoid large pies—they won’t cook evenly. Stick to individual servings or small family-sized portions.

4. What Doesn’t Work (And Why)

Not everything is a good fit. Here’s what to avoid:

• Angel food cakes: The fan blows them flat before they set.
• Large loaves: They’ll cook unevenly (crispy outside, raw inside).
• Recipes with high sugar content: Sugar caramelizes quickly, leading to burnt edges.

Stick to small, dense, or quick-cooking recipes, and you’ll avoid frustration.

Essential Tips for Baking in an Air Fryer Oven

Even the best recipes can fail without the right approach. Here are my must-know tips.

1. Use the Right Pans and Liners

Not all bakeware is air fryer-safe. Stick to:

• Silicone pans: Flexible, non-stick, and heat-resistant (up to 450°F). Great for muffins and brownies.
• Oven-safe glass: Pyrex or tempered glass works, but check the size (most air fryer ovens fit 6–8 inch pans).
• Lightweight metal: Avoid dark or non-stick pans—they absorb too much heat and burn food.

Pro tip: Line pans with parchment paper or silicone liners. This makes cleanup easy and prevents sticking.

2. Manage Airflow for Even Baking

The fan can cause hot spots. To fix this:

• Rotate the pan halfway through: This ensures even browning.
• Use the middle rack position: Avoid the top or bottom, where heat is most intense.
• Cover delicate items with foil: Tent a piece of foil over the top if the edges brown too fast.

Example: When baking a mini quiche, I cover it with foil after 10 minutes to keep the top from drying out.

3. Adjust for Humidity and Moisture

Air fryer ovens remove moisture quickly. To compensate:

• Brush tops with milk or egg wash: This adds moisture and helps with browning.
• Add a water pan: Place a small dish of water on the bottom rack to create steam.
• Don’t overmix batters: Overmixing develops gluten, which makes baked goods tough in dry heat.

For example, when making banana bread, I brush the top with melted butter before baking. It stays moist for days!

Common Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Even experienced bakers make these errors. Learn from my mistakes.

1. Overcrowding the Basket or Rack

Air fryer ovens need space for air to circulate. If you stack cookies or muffins too close, they’ll steam instead of bake. Solution:

• Use smaller pans or bake in batches.
• Leave at least 1 inch between items.

I once tried to bake 12 cookies in a 6-inch pan—they fused together into one giant cookie blob. Not ideal!

2. Ignoring the Preheat Step

Air fryer ovens heat up fast, but skipping the preheat causes uneven baking. Always:

• Preheat for 3–5 minutes at the target temperature.
• Add your pan only after the preheat beep.

Why it matters: A cold pan absorbs heat, slowing the baking process and drying out your food.

3. Forgetting to Check Early

Air fryer ovens cook 20–30% faster than regular ovens. If you set it and forget it, you’ll get a charcoal dessert. Instead:

• Set a timer for 70% of the recipe’s time.
• Open the door to check—the fan pauses automatically.

Example: For a 20-minute recipe, check at 14 minutes. If it’s browning too fast, cover with foil.

Air Fryer Oven vs. Conventional Oven: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Let’s compare the two side by side. Is an air fryer oven better for baking? It depends on what you’re making.

Speed and Energy Efficiency

Factor	Air Fryer Oven	Conventional Oven
Preheat time	2–5 minutes	10–15 minutes
Energy use	Lower (cooks faster)	Higher (larger cavity)
Baking time	20–30% faster	Standard

For small batches or quick treats, the air fryer oven wins. For large roasts or holiday cookies, a conventional oven is better.

Texture and Flavor

Air fryer ovens create a crispier crust and moist center—ideal for brownies and cookies. But they lack the gentle, even heat needed for delicate pastries. If you love flaky croissants, stick to your regular oven. For everything else, the air fryer oven shines.

Versatility

Air fryer ovens multitask. You can bake, air fry, roast, and dehydrate in one appliance. A conventional oven is more limited (though better for large-scale baking).

Bottom line: Use your air fryer oven for small, quick, or crisp-textured baked goods. Use your conventional oven for large, delicate, or slow-cooked recipes.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Air Fryer Oven as Your Baking Sidekick

So, can you bake in an air fryer oven? Absolutely! With the right adjustments, it’s a game-changer for small-batch baking. I’ve made everything from cookies to quiches—and saved so much time compared to my regular oven. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Think of your air fryer oven as a baking sidekick, not a replacement for your conventional oven. Use it for quick treats, crispy crusts, and energy-efficient cooking. Save the big holiday cakes for your full-sized oven.

Here’s my final advice: Start small. Bake a batch of cookies or muffins, and tweak the time/temperature until you get it right. Once you master the basics, you’ll wonder how you ever baked without it. And hey, if your first attempt isn’t perfect? That’s okay. My first air fryer brownies were a little too crispy on the edges—but I ate them anyway. (They’re still delicious with a scoop of ice cream!) The key is to experiment, have fun, and enjoy the process. Happy baking!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bake in an air fryer oven?

Yes, you can bake in an air fryer oven! Most models come with a bake function or convection settings that circulate hot air for even baking, making them great for cookies, muffins, and more.

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

You can bake small-batch items like cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and even mini pies successfully in an air fryer oven. Dense or delicate recipes (e.g., cheesecake) may require adjustments to time and temperature.

Do I need special bakeware for an air fryer oven?

No special bakeware is required, but use oven-safe, lightweight pans or silicone molds that fit the air fryer oven’s basket or rack. Avoid oversized dishes to ensure proper air circulation.

How do I adjust baking time and temperature for an air fryer oven?

Lower the temperature by 25°F (15°C) and reduce the time by 20–30% compared to traditional baking. Always check for doneness early, as air fryer ovens cook faster due to rapid air circulation.

Can I use aluminum foil or parchment paper when baking in an air fryer oven?

Yes, you can use aluminum foil or parchment paper, but avoid covering the entire basket or blocking airflow. Parchment paper with holes or foil with vents works best for even heat distribution.

Is baking in an air fryer oven healthier than traditional baking?

Baking in an air fryer oven can be healthier because it often requires less oil or butter. The rapid air circulation also helps achieve a crispy texture with fewer added fats.