Desserts

You can bake in an air fryer, but it behaves differently from a full-size oven. The space is smaller and the fan is stronger, so mixtures cook faster and the top can brown before the middle is ready. The dessert recipes here are written with that in mind, using small tins and lower temperatures so cakes, brownies, cookies and scones cook evenly.

Baking tips for the air fryer

Most baking goes in at 150 °C to 160 °C. Use a tin that fits the basket with a little room around the edges, and line it with baking paper that is weighed down by the tin so it cannot lift in the airflow. Check a cake a few minutes before the end of the time: a skewer pushed into the centre should come out clean, while brownies should still have a slightly soft middle. If the top is browning too fast, cover it loosely with foil.

More baking ideas

Fruit crumbles, baked apples and filled pastries also work well. For savoury bakes and snacks, see snacks, and for a full list of temperatures, see the air fryer cooking times and temperatures page.