As a busy mom of three, I am ALL about easy, no-fuss desserts. If it takes too long or makes a huge mess, it’s just not happening. That’s why I’m obsessed with Air Fryer Dessert Recipes—they’re quick, simple, and totally mess-free. Whether you’ve got a classic Ninja Air Fryer, an Air Fryer Oven, or some fancy Ninja Cooking System, you can whip up a chocolatey, fudgy cake without breaking a sweat.
So if you’ve been wondering how to bake in an air fryer, or you’re just looking for easy desserts in an air fryer, this Air Fryer Chocolate Fudge Cake is calling your name. It’s rich, it’s gooey, and best of all—you’ll be digging in within 30 minutes! Let’s get baking, mama!
What You’ll Need
For the Cake:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar (because brown sugar makes everything better)
- ½ cup milk (or buttermilk if you wanna get fancy)
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup hot water (or hot coffee if you need an excuse for extra caffeine)
For the Fudge Topping:
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon butter
Let’s Make This Cake!
Step 1: Prep Your Air Fryer & Pan
First things first—preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C). If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat option, just let it run empty for a few minutes.
Grab a 6-inch or 7-inch cake pan, grease it up with butter or spray, and line the bottom with parchment paper. Trust me, this makes cake removal a whole lot easier (learned that the hard way).
Step 2: Mix the Dry Stuff
In a big ol’ bowl, whisk together:
-Flour
-Cocoa powder
-Baking powder
-Baking soda
-Salt
-Both sugars
Give it a good stir so everything is nicely combined.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Now, pour in:
-Milk
-Oil
-Vanilla extract
-Egg
Mix it all up, but don’t go overboard—just until it’s mostly smooth.
Step 4: Make It Extra Fudgy
Time for the magic touch! Slowly pour in hot water (or coffee) while stirring. The batter will be thin, and you’ll think, “Wait, did I mess this up?” Nope, you’re doing great! That thin batter = super moist cake.
Step 5: Air Fry Like a Boss
Pour the batter into your greased pan. Pop it in the air fryer basket and cook for 25-30 minutes.
At the 25-minute mark, poke the center with a toothpick—if it comes out clean (or with just a few crumbs), it’s done! If it’s still gooey, give it another 2-3 minutes.
Once done, let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then flip it onto a wire rack.
Step 6: Make That Fudge Topping
While your cake is cooling, let’s whip up the easiest fudge topping ever:
1.Heat heavy cream in a microwave or small saucepan (don’t boil it, just warm it up).
2.Pour it over chocolate chips and butter in a bowl.
3.Let it sit for a minute, then stir until it’s smooth, glossy, and irresistible.
Step 7: Frost & Devour
Pour that silky fudge sauce all over the cooled cake. Spread it out, let it set for a few minutes (if you have patience), then dig in!
FAQs: Air Fryer Chocolate Fudge Cake
Can you really bake a cake in an air fryer?
Yes! Air Fryer Cakes are totally a thing, and they turn out just as soft and delicious as oven-baked cakes. The air fryer circulates heat evenly, so your cake bakes faster with a perfect texture.
What size pan should I use?
A 6-inch or 7-inch round cake pan works best for most air fryers. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, just make sure whatever pan you use fits inside the basket.
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
It depends on your model! Some air fryers require preheating for best results, while others don’t. If yours does, just preheat it to 320°F (160°C) for a few minutes before baking.
How do I know when my cake is done?
Stick a toothpick in the center—if it comes out clean (or with just a few crumbs), your cake is ready! If there’s still wet batter, let it cook for another 2-3 minutes and check again.
Can I use cake mix instead of making it from scratch?
Absolutely! Just follow the directions on the cake mix box, but reduce the liquid slightly (since air fryers bake faster). Then cook at 320°F (160°C) for about 25 minutes, checking for doneness.
Air Fryer Chocolate Fudge Cake
Air Fryer Chocolate Fudge Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup milk or buttermilk
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup hot water or coffee
For the Fudge Topping:
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
Prep the Air Fryer & Cake Pan
- Preheat air fryer to 320°F (160°C).
- Grease a 6-inch or 7-inch cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and both sugars.
Add Wet Ingredients
- Stir in milk, oil, vanilla, and egg until just combined.
- Slowly pour in hot water (or coffee) while stirring—batter will be thin!
Air Fry the Cake
- Pour batter into the prepared pan.
- Place in air fryer and bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Test with a toothpick—if it comes out clean, it’s done!
Make the Fudge Topping
- Heat heavy cream until warm (not boiling).
- Pour over chocolate chips and butter.
- Let sit for a minute, then stir until smooth.
Frost & Enjoy!
- Pour fudge topping over the cooled cake.
- Let it set for a few minutes, then slice and enjoy!
Notes
- Swap hot coffee for water to deepen the chocolate flavor.
- Add chocolate chips into the batter for extra fudginess.
- Use almond milk & coconut cream for a dairy-free version.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days at room temp.
If you’re new to Air Fryer Baking Recipes, don’t be afraid to experiment! There are SO many Air Fryer Cake Recipes out there—from simple vanilla cakes to crazy good Air Fried Desserts like brownies and lava cakes. Whether you’ve got a Ninja Air Fryer, an Air Fryer Oven, or just picked up a new air fryer recipe book, there’s always something new to try.
So next time your sweet tooth kicks in, skip the oven, bake a cake in the air fryer, and enjoy a warm, gooey slice in under 30 minutes. Because let’s be real—dessert should be easy, fast, and totally worth it. Now go grab a fork and dig in!
