Let me put you on to the easiest, most delicious Air Fryer Pineapple Upside Down Cake you’ll ever make. If you love Air Fryer Cakes but don’t wanna deal with the whole oven situation, this one’s for you. I mean, who has time for that when you could have a warm, buttery, caramelized Pineapple Upside Down Cake in, like, 20 minutes? Not me.
I’ve always loved a classic Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe, but making it in the air fryer? Game changer. Whether you’re craving a quick Air Fryer Dessert, looking for Easy Cakes To Make, or just want to impress your kids with a Personal Pineapple Upside Down Cake that looks way fancier than it actually is, this one checks all the boxes. It’s got that golden, sticky Pineapple Upside Down layer, that soft, fluffy cake, and all the nostalgia of the classic—but in a fraction of the time.
If you’re into Air Fryer Cake Recipes, love Air Fryer Sweets, or just want a no-fail Fresh Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe, grab your air fryer and let’s make some magic. Oh, and if you’ve ever had a Pineapple Upside Down Cake Drink, just know this is even better. Let’s do this!
What You’ll Need
You don’t need a ton of ingredients for this, which is another reason I love it. Most of this stuff is already in my pantry, except maybe the cherries, but they last forever in the fridge.
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 4 pineapple rings (canned or fresh)
- 4 maraschino cherries
- 1/2 cup yellow cake mix
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice (from the can)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
How To Make The Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Step 1: Prep the Pan
Grab a six-inch cake pan (or any small one that fits in your air fryer) and spray it really well with nonstick spray. Trust me, you don’t want to fight with this thing when it’s time to flip it out.
Pour the melted butter into the pan, then sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over it. This is what’s going to create that sticky, caramelized top layer, so don’t skimp on it.
Step 2: Add the Pineapple and Cherries
Lay your pineapple rings right on top of that butter-sugar mixture. Try to get them evenly spaced, but honestly, it’s cake—there are no rules.
Now for the cherries. Pop one in the center of each pineapple ring. It makes the cake look so fun, and my kids always fight over who gets the piece with the most cherry. Spoiler alert: It’s me. I’m the mom. I get the extra cherry.
Step 3: Make the Cake Batter
In a mixing bowl, whisk together your cake mix, egg, pineapple juice, and oil. You don’t need a mixer—just stir it until it’s smooth. If you see a few lumps, no big deal. This isn’t a fancy bakery, it’s my kitchen, and we’re here for easy wins.
Pour the batter over your pineapple rings, making sure it covers them completely.
Step 4: Air Fry It
Preheat your air fryer to 320 degrees Fahrenheit. If your air fryer doesn’t preheat, just turn it on and let it run for about three minutes before putting the cake in.
Place your cake pan in the basket and air fry for 18 to 22 minutes. Every air fryer is a little different, so start checking around 18 minutes. If you poke the center with a toothpick and it comes out clean, you’re good to go. If not, give it another couple of minutes.
Step 5: The Flip (The Moment of Truth)
Let the cake cool for five to ten minutes before you flip it. I know, I know, the waiting is painful, but if you try to flip it too soon, you’ll have a pineapple disaster on your hands.
Take a plate, put it over the cake pan, and flip it over in one quick motion. If all goes well, your beautiful caramelized pineapple topping will be staring back at you in all its golden glory.
Tips for the Best Cake
- No small cake pan? Use ramekins for mini versions. My kids think these are so fun because they each get their own little cake.
- Want to add a little something extra? Sprinkle a little cinnamon into the brown sugar before adding the pineapple. It makes a huge difference.
- If, by some miracle, you have leftovers, pop a slice in the microwave for ten seconds before eating. It will taste fresh out of the air fryer again.
FAQs for Air Fryer Pineapple Upside Down Cake
What size pan should I use for the air fryer?
A 6-inch cake pan is perfect for this Air Fryer Cake Recipe, but if your air fryer is smaller, try using ramekins for Personal Pineapple Upside Down Cakes. Just adjust the cooking time to about 12-15 minutes for smaller portions.
How do I know when my cake is done?
Stick a toothpick in the center—if it comes out clean, your Easy Pineapple Upside Down Cake is ready. If there’s still wet batter, give it a few more minutes. Most Air Fryer Cakes take about 18-22 minutes at 320°F.
How do I store leftovers?
If by some miracle you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temp for a day or in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for about 10 seconds to bring back that soft, caramelized goodness.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
No worries! You can bake this in the oven at 350°F for about 25-30 minutes. But honestly, once you try this as an Air Fryer Dessert, you might never go back to the oven.
Air Fryer Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe Card
Air Fryer Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 4 pineapple rings canned or fresh
- 4 maraschino cherries
- 1/2 cup yellow cake mix
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice from the can
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Grease a 6-inch cake pan with nonstick spray. Pour melted butter into the pan and sprinkle brown sugar evenly over it.
- Layer the Pineapple & Cherries: Arrange pineapple rings over the sugar mixture and place a cherry in the center of each ring.
- Make the Batter: In a bowl, whisk together cake mix, egg, pineapple juice, and oil until smooth. Pour batter over the fruit layer.
- Air Fry: Preheat air fryer to 320°F. Air fry for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool & Flip: Let the cake cool for 5-10 minutes before flipping it onto a plate.
- Serve: Enjoy warm as-is or with vanilla ice cream for an extra treat!
Notes
Tips:
- Use ramekins for Personal Pineapple Upside Down Cakes with a shorter bake time.
- Add a dash of cinnamon to the brown sugar for extra flavor.
- Reheat leftovers in the microwave for 10 seconds to make them taste freshly baked.
And there you have it—your new favorite Air Fryer Pineapple Upside Down Cake! Seriously, once you see how easy this is, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with the oven. This Air Fryer Dessert is the perfect mix of buttery, caramelized Air Fried Pineapple and soft, fluffy cake, and it comes together with almost zero effort. My kind of baking.
If you’ve been looking for Easy Cakes To Make or a Fresh Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe that doesn’t take forever, this is the one. It’s a total win for busy days, last-minute sweet cravings, or even those times when you just want a Personal Pineapple Upside Down Cake all to yourself (no judgment, I get it). Plus, if you’ve ever had a Pineapple Upside Down Cake Drink, you already know these flavors just hit different.
So, are you team Air Fryer Cakes now? Let me know if you try this Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe or if you’ve got any fun twists! And if you love Air Fryer Dessert Recipes, stay tuned—because I’m always testing new Air Fryer Sweets that make life (and dessert) way easier.
