Think your air fryer is just for chips, chicken and crispy roast potatoes? Think again! One of my favourite things about air fryers is just how versatile they are, and air fryer baking is one of the easiest ways to get even more from your machine.
From fluffy scones and gooey brownies to homemade cinnamon buns and golden sausage rolls, there are so many delicious things you can bake in an air fryer. And because an air fryer heats a much smaller space than a conventional oven, it can be quicker, more energy efficient and perfect for smaller batches.
If you’ve never tried baking in your air fryer before, these nine recipes are a brilliant place to start.
Why bake in an air fryer?
There are lots of reasons I love using an air fryer for baking.
First, there’s no need to heat up a whole oven when you’re making a small batch of something delicious. The compact cooking chamber heats quickly, and the circulating hot air helps create beautifully golden, crisp and evenly cooked bakes.
It’s also fantastic when you’re baking for one or two people. Instead of making a huge cake or traybake, you can make a smaller batch that’s ready much more quickly.
And let’s not forget those hot summer days when the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven and heat up your kitchen. Your air fryer can be a brilliant alternative.
Of course, air fryers do vary, so cooking times and temperatures can differ slightly between models. It’s always worth checking your bake towards the end of the recommended cooking time and using a skewer or cocktail stick to check cakes and brownies are cooked through.
Air Fryer Cinnamon Buns
There is something incredibly comforting about freshly baked cinnamon buns, and my Air Fryer Cinnamon Buns are a wonderfully easy shortcut.
The secret to making these so quick is using shop-bought pizza dough rather than making your own enriched dough from scratch. You still get those lovely cinnamon-filled swirls, golden edges and soft, fluffy centres, but without all the kneading and proving.
They’re perfect for a lazy weekend breakfast, an afternoon treat or whenever you’re craving something sweet and comforting. The recipe takes just 5 minutes to prepare and around 10–12 minutes to cook.
Serve them warm with a cup of coffee or tea, or add a simple drizzle of icing for an extra indulgent finish.
Air Fryer Scones
Can you make proper scones in an air fryer? Absolutely!
My Air Fryer Scones are golden on the outside, light and fluffy inside, and perfect for a homemade afternoon tea.
The air fryer is particularly good for small batches of scones because you don’t need to heat the entire oven just to bake a few. Preheating the air fryer briefly before cooking can help give the scones a lovely rise, while leaving enough space between them allows the hot air to circulate.
Serve them warm with butter, jam and cream for the ultimate homemade treat.
Air fryer banana Bread
Got a few very ripe bananas sitting in your fruit bowl? Don’t throw them away!
My Air Fryer Banana Bread is a fantastic way to turn those overripe bananas into something delicious. It’s moist, soft and sweet, with that wonderful banana flavour you expect from a classic banana bread.
One of the great things about baking banana bread in an air fryer is that you’re making a smaller loaf without having to wait for a full-sized oven to heat up.
It’s also a brilliant recipe for reducing food waste. Those bananas that are perhaps a little too brown to eat can actually be perfect for baking because they become sweeter and more intensely flavoured as they ripen.
Air Fryer Sausage Rolls
Air fryer baking isn’t just about cakes and sweet treats!
My Air Fryer Sausage Rolls are proof that your air fryer is also fantastic for baking pastry. You get beautifully golden, flaky puff pastry wrapped around juicy, seasoned sausage meat, without needing to turn on the oven.
The recipe takes just 10 minutes to prepare and around 10–12 minutes to cook.
The key to really good air fryer sausage rolls is keeping the pastry cold, not overcrowding the basket and giving the rolls enough room for the hot air to circulate. A little egg wash on top gives them that gorgeous golden finish.
They’re brilliant for lunchboxes, picnics, parties or simply as a snack.
Air Fryer Carrot Cake
If you love a classic carrot cake, you have to try making one in the air fryer.
My Air Fryer Carrot Cake is moist, warmly spiced and finished with a delicious cream cheese frosting. It’s also a great example of how you can make a smaller cake in your air fryer without heating up the kitchen.
This recipe makes two small portions, making it ideal when you want cake without being left with a huge amount.
For the best result, use finely grated carrots and don’t overmix the batter. You’ll also want to let the cake cool completely before adding the cream cheese frosting.
Air Fryer Doughnuts
Who doesn’t love a doughnut?
My Air Fryer Doughnuts are soft, fluffy and finished with cinnamon sugar. They’re a brilliant homemade treat when you want something fun without the mess of deep frying.
They’re particularly popular with kids, making them a great recipe to make together at the weekend or during the school holidays.
You can keep them simple with cinnamon sugar, or get creative with different toppings, glazes or fillings. They’re also delicious served warm.
And because you’re using the air fryer rather than a deep fryer, there’s no pan of hot oil to deal with afterwards.
Air Fryer Brownies
For serious chocolate lovers, my Air Fryer Brownies are a must-try.
These brownies are rich, fudgy and packed with chocolate flavour, with a deliciously soft centre and slightly crisp edges. I add pecans for a lovely nutty crunch, although you can easily customise them with your favourite additions.
The air fryer is surprisingly good at baking brownies because the circulating heat creates that irresistible combination of a set top and soft, gooey middle.
One important tip: don’t overbake them. Brownies will continue to set as they cool, so it’s better to take them out when they’re just cooked rather than waiting until they’re completely firm.
Air Fryer Cookies
Freshly baked cookies are another fantastic air fryer bake.
My Air Fryer Cookies are ideal when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to make a huge batch. The air fryer is perfect for cooking smaller quantities of cookies quickly, giving you golden edges and deliciously soft centres.
The beauty of homemade cookies is that you can customise them too. Add chocolate chips, nuts or your favourite sweets to make them your own.
Just remember to leave plenty of space between the cookies in the basket because they will spread as they cook.
Air Fryer Flapjacks
Finally, if you love a chewy, golden flapjack, my Air Fryer Flapjacks are definitely worth trying.
They’re made with just a handful of simple ingredients including oats, golden syrup, butter and sugar, making them an easy store-cupboard bake.
The air fryer gives the flapjacks beautifully golden edges while keeping the middle soft and chewy. The most important thing is to let them cool completely before slicing, as they firm up as they cool.
They’re perfect for an afternoon snack, lunchbox treat or something sweet to enjoy with a cup of tea.
My top tips for air fryer baking
If you’re new to air fryer baking, keep these simple tips in mind:
Choose the right tin. Make sure your baking tin or silicone mould fits comfortably inside your air fryer basket while still allowing air to circulate.
Don’t overcrowd the basket. Air needs to move around your food, so resist the temptation to squeeze too much in.
Check your bake early. Air fryers can vary considerably, so start checking towards the end of the suggested cooking time.
Don’t be afraid to use baking paper. It can make removing cakes, brownies and flapjacks much easier. Just make sure it is secured by the food and never use loose baking paper while the air fryer is preheating.
Let baked goods cool. Cakes, brownies and flapjacks often continue to set as they cool, so don’t rush to cut into them.
Ready to start baking?
Once you discover how good an air fryer can be for baking, you’ll probably find yourself looking at your air fryer in a completely different way.
From a quick batch of scones for afternoon tea to cinnamon buns for breakfast, banana bread for using up ripe bananas, sausage rolls for a savoury snack and indulgent brownies, cookies, doughnuts, carrot cake and flapjacks, there’s so much more you can make than chips!
If you’re looking for even more inspiration, take a look at my Air Fryer Baking Collection for lots more delicious ideas.
So grab your air fryer, pick your favourite bake and get cooking. You might just discover that your air fryer is one of the best baking appliances in your kitchen!
If you are looking for more air fryer inspiration, check out my Amazon shop to order your copy of my best selling cookbooks.