As a mom of three, I don’t always have the time (or the patience) to deal with the oven—preheating, waiting forever, and then cleaning up the mess? No, thank you. That’s why I’m obsessed with Air Fryer Baking Recipes—they’re fast, easy, and totally mess-free. Whether you’re looking for Air Fry Cake Recipes, Air Fryer Dessert Recipes Easy, or just want a sweet treat without all the work, this Air Fryer Chocolate Cake is going to be your new best friend.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: Can you really make a cake in an air fryer? Oh, mama, yes you can. And not just any cake—this one is moist, fluffy, and pure chocolate heaven. It’s one of my favorite Airfryer Cake Recipes, and the best part? You can make it in half the time of a regular cake. If you love Air Fryer Sweets, Air Fryer Desserts, and Air Fried Desserts, you are gonna love this one!
So whether you’ve got a Ninja Air Fryer, a Ninja Cooking System, or any other brand, this is the perfect Air Fryer Cakes Recipe to try. Let’s grab that air fryer and get baking—because, trust me, once you try this, you’ll be looking up New Air Fryer Recipes just to see what else you can make.
What You Need
Most of these are pantry staples. No weird ingredients, promise!
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ cup sugar (because duh, cake)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk (or almond/oat milk if dairy isn’t your thing)
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup hot water (or hot coffee if you want that deep, rich chocolate flavor—trust me on this)
- 1 egg
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Set your air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Grab a 6-inch cake pan (or whatever fits in your air fryer) and grease it up. You don’t want your cake sticking! Parchment paper works too if you wanna be extra careful.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Stuff
In a big bowl, whisk together your flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Basically, all the stuff that makes it a cake. Give it a good mix so everything is evenly combined.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Stuff
In another bowl, mix up your milk, oil, vanilla, and egg. Then, slowly pour in the hot water (or coffee) while stirring. It’s gonna look thin—like, is this even cake batter? thin. But don’t freak out, that’s normal!
Step 4: Combine & Pour
Now, pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones. Stir until just combined—no need to go crazy. A few lumps are fine. Then, pour the batter into your greased cake pan.
Step 5: Air Fry That Cake!
Pop the cake pan into your air fryer basket. Set the timer for 25-30 minutes. Around the 25-minute mark, poke a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean, you’re golden. If not, give it another few minutes.
Step 6: Cool & Enjoy
Take the cake out (carefully—it’s hot!), let it sit for 10 minutes, then pop it out of the pan. Now comes the fun part—toppings!
FAQs About Air Fryer Chocolate Cake
Can you really bake a cake in an air fryer?
Yes! Air fryers work like mini convection ovens, circulating hot air around the cake to bake it evenly. It’s faster than a regular oven and keeps the cake moist and fluffy.
What kind of cake pan should I use?
A 6-inch round cake pan works best for most air fryers, but you can also use a small square or bundt pan as long as it fits inside. Make sure it’s oven-safe (metal, silicone, or glass).
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
Not always, but it helps! If your air fryer has a preheat setting, warm it up to 320°F (160°C) for a few minutes before adding the cake batter.
How do I know when my cake is done?
Check it at 25 minutes by inserting a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready! If it’s still wet, give it another 3-5 minutes.
Can I make this cake in any air fryer?
Yes! Whether you have a Ninja Air Fryer, a Cosori, a Philips Airfryer, or another brand, as long as your cake pan fits inside, you’re good to go.
Air Fryer Chocolate Cake Recipe Card
Air Fryer Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup milk or dairy-free alternative
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup hot water or hot coffee for richer flavor
- 1 egg
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
- Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Grease a 6-inch cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, mix milk, oil, vanilla, and egg. Slowly add hot water while stirring (the batter will be thin—don’t worry!).
Step 4: Combine & Pour
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until smooth. Then, pour the batter into the cake pan.
Step 5: Bake
- Place the cake pan in the air fryer and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center—if it comes out clean, it’s done!
Step 6: Cool & Serve
- Let the cake cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Frost, dust with powdered sugar, or enjoy as is!
Notes
Topping Ideas
- Chocolate frosting
- Whipped cream & berries
- A scoop of ice cream
I seriously can’t believe how easy it is to bake a cake in an air fryer—and now that I know, I’m always looking for more Air Fry Cake Recipes to try. Whether it’s for a birthday, a quick after-school snack, or just because (because, let’s be real, some days we just need cake), this recipe is a keeper.
So if you’re new to Air Fryer Baking Recipes, trust me, this is the perfect place to start. And if you’ve already been making Air Fryer Cakes, I bet this one is gonna be one of your faves. Whether you have a Ninja Air Fryer, an Instant Pot Air Fryer, or any other kind, you can totally make this work. It’s one of those New Air Fryer Recipes you’ll be glad you tried!
Now go enjoy your Air Fryer Sweets—and if the kids leave you any leftovers (yeah, right), save a slice for later. Or better yet, make another one tomorrow. Happy baking, mama!
