Victoria Sponge in the Air Fryer
Yes, you can bake a cake in an air fryer, and a classic Victoria sponge is one of the best places to start. The trick is to use two small 15 cm tins, bake the sponges one after the other and keep the heat lower than in the oven. You get an even golden crumb, a flat top and sponges that bake in about 45 minutes in total, ready to fill with jam and cream once cool.
- Temperature
- 160°C
- Total time
- 1:32hr
- Prep
- 20min
- Servings
- 8
- Per serving
- 430kcal
Why the air fryer works for a cake
Baking a cake in air fryer baskets is not as odd as it sounds. An air fryer is a small, fan-assisted oven, so it heats quickly and holds a steady temperature, which suits a light sponge. A 15 cm Victoria sponge bakes in around 20 minutes and there is no large oven to heat up. If you ever wondered whether you can bake a cake in an air fryer, a plain sponge is the easiest test.
The limits are size and heat. The fan is strong, so the top browns faster than in a conventional oven, and a basket of 4–6 litres only holds one small tin at a time. That is why this recipe uses two 15 cm tins baked one after the other, at a lower 160 °C, with foil ready if the top colours early. A fuller guide to lining is in baking paper in the air fryer.
How to make Victoria sponge in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare the tins Grease two 15 cm sandwich tins and line the bases with baking paper. Check that a tin fits in your basket with a finger of space around it. Cut a long strip of foil, fold it in three and lay it under the tin as a sling, so you can lift the hot tin out safely.
- Make the batter Beat the butter and caster sugar for until pale and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, adding a spoonful of flour if the mixture starts to curdle. Sift in the flour and baking powder, fold gently with the vanilla and milk until you have a soft dropping consistency.
- Divide and preheat Weigh the batter and divide it equally between the tins, then level the tops. Preheat the air fryer to 160 °C for .
- Bake the first sponge Lower the tin into the basket using the foil sling and tuck the foil ends down beside the tin. Bake for . If the top is browning too fast after about , cover the tin with a small piece of foil, tucked firmly around the rim so the fan cannot lift it. The sponge is done when it is golden, springs back when pressed and a skewer comes out clean.
- Bake the second sponge Leave the first sponge in its tin for , then turn it out onto a wire rack. Bake the second tin in the same way for another and cool it on the rack.
- Fill and finish Once both sponges are completely cold, whip the cream with the icing sugar to soft peaks. Spread jam on one sponge, then the cream, and press the second sponge on top. Dust with icing sugar.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Victoria Sponge | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria sponge, 15 cm tinOne sponge at a time | 160 °C | 20–22 min |
| Small cake, 12 cm tin | 160 °C | 15–17 min |
| Sponge in a loaf tinCover with foil after 15 min | 150 °C | 30–35 min |
| Cupcakes, 6 cases | 170 °C | 10–12 min |
| Vanilla sponge, ready-made mix | 160 °C | 22–25 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Weigh the batter into the tins. Equal sponges sandwich neatly, and they finish in the same time. Level the surface with the back of a spoon.
- Keep the tin away from the fan. Leave a finger of space all round and never let paper stick out of the tin, as loose paper can fly up into the heating element.
- Cool completely before filling. Warm sponge melts the cream. Bake the second sponge while the first one cools on the rack.
Serving
Serve slices of Victoria sponge with a cup of tea, or with fresh strawberries and a spoonful of whipped cream. Cake in air fryer batches also suit other flavours, such as a rich chocolate cake, a zesty lemon drizzle cake or a moist banana bread, all baked in the same way.
Storing and reheating
An unfilled sponge keeps for 2 days in an airtight tin, and a cream-filled one for up to 2 days in the fridge. Bring slices to room temperature before eating. A slice of unfilled sponge can be warmed in the air fryer at 140 °C for 2 minutes. Filled cake containing cream should not be reheated.
Variations
- Coffee and walnut: Replace the milk with 1 tbsp strong coffee and fold in 50 g chopped walnuts. Fill with coffee buttercream.
- Lemon sponge: Add the zest of 1 lemon to the batter and fill with lemon curd and cream.
- Jam and buttercream: Beat 75 g soft butter with 150 g icing sugar and use it instead of cream for a filling that holds its shape.
Troubleshooting
- The top is dark but the middle is raw
- The heat was too high or the tin was too close to the heating element. Drop to 150 °C, add 3–5 minutes and cover the tin with foil, tucked firmly around the rim, once the top has coloured.
- The sponge has risen into a dome
- The edges set before the middle. Use a lower temperature, make a slight dip in the middle of the batter before baking, and do not overfill the tin.
- The cake is dry
- Air fryer sponges bake faster than expected. Start testing at 18 minutes, and do not skip the milk, which loosens the batter.
Frequently asked questions
Can you bake a cake in an air fryer?
Yes. A small cake bakes well in a basket air fryer if the tin fits, the temperature is kept at 150–160 °C and the cake is covered with foil once it is golden.
How long does a Victoria sponge take in the air fryer?
About 20–22 minutes at 160 °C for a 15 cm sponge. Smaller 12 cm tins need 15–17 minutes. Test with a skewer from 18 minutes.
What size cake tin fits in an air fryer?
Most 4–6 litre baskets take a 15 cm tin, and some larger machines take 18 cm. Measure your basket first, because the tin must not touch the sides or the top.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer for a cake?
A short 3-minute preheat gives a better rise and a more even bake, because the batter starts cooking in steady heat straight away.
Can I use a 20 cm tin?
Only in a very large air fryer or oven-style model. In an ordinary basket it will not fit, and it would block the airflow.
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