If you’re looking for a make-ahead dessert that doesn’t require an oven, look no further than these air fryer small-batch cupcakes! These tasty treats are simple to make and perfect for a quick snack or special occasion. Plus, they’re great for when you don’t want to bake a whole cake or batch of cupcakes.
There are a few reasons why you might want to make homemade cupcakes in the air fryer. For one, they’re incredibly fast and easy to make. And because the air fryer cooks them evenly, they come out great every time. Plus making air fryer cupcakes is a great way to use up any leftover frosting or cake batter you may have.
Making air fryer cupcakes from scratch was a bit of an experiment for me, but it turned out pretty good! Light, moist and fluffy, with a delicious flavor. The best part is that they were so easy to make; I suited these air fryer cupcakes for just 4 servings, so it was perfect for when I wanted something sweet but didn’t want too many calories by eating a whole batch of cupcakes!
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter, softened
- White granulated sugar
- Egg, beaten
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- In a bowl, use a hand mixer to whisk together the softened butter, sugar and egg.
- Sift in the all purpose flour, baking powder and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix!
- Place 4 silicone cupcake moulds into the air fryer basket.
- Fill each silicone cupcake mould about two-thirds full with batter.
- Bake for 10 minutes on 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cupcakes from the air fryer basket.
- Whilst the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting. Get a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk and butter until desired consistency is achieved. Add a drop or two of vanilla extract, if desired.
- Place into a piping bag and frost the cupcakes then top with sprinkles.
Recipe tips for making air fryer cupcakes
Do not overmix the batter! You don’t want to overwork the gluten and make your cupcakes tough.
Get good quality butter! The better the quality, the better your air fryer cupcakes will taste.
Ensure that the butter is at room temperature before you start. This will help it mix better with the other ingredients.
FAQ’s
Can you make cupcakes in the air fryer?
Yes, you can air fry cupcakes. In fact, it’s a great way to cook them evenly and avoid any mess. Just be sure to use silicone muffin cups or paper liners, as the batter can stick to regular muffin tins.
Can these air fry cupcakes be made with an oven?
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake these cupcakes in a regular oven at 350 degrees F for about 10-12 minutes.
Can these air fry cupcakes be made gluten-free?
Yes, you can make these cupcakes gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully, as different gluten-free blends require different amounts of liquid.
What if I want to make a bigger batch of these air fryer cupcakes.
To make a bigger batch of cupcakes, simply multiply the ingredients by the number of cupcakes you want to make. Be sure to adjust the cooking time as needed – keep in mind that air fryers vary in size, so yours may cook faster or slower than the ones used in this recipe.
Can air fryer cupcakes be frozen?
Yes! You can freeze air fryer cupcakes for up to 2 months. Simply place them in an airtight container or bag and freeze.
How to store these air fry cupcakes?
If you have any leftover air fryer cupcakes, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days. You can also freeze them for up to 2-3 months. Let thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Can you use paper muffin cups in an air fryer?
Yes, you can, but it is better to use silicone muffin cups, I found the paper muffin cups tended to collapse.
How do I make these small batch cupcakes from a box cake mix?
You can definitely make small batch cupcakes from a cake mix. Just divide the batter accordingly. For example, if the cupcakes originally make 12 and you want 4, divide the recipe by 3.
What other air fryer cupcake flavors are good to try?
These are some other ideas for air fryer cupcakes that you might like:
- Air fryer chocolate cupcakes
- Air fryer banana cupcakes
- Air fryer lemon blueberry cupcakes
- Air fryer banana chocolate chip cupcakes
- Air fryer nutella swirl cupcakes
- Air fryer s’mores cupcakes
- Air fryer strawberry shortcake cupcakes
You could even try air fryer muffins. The sky is the limit with air fryer desserts
Can you make these air fry cupcakes into chocolate cupcakes?
Yes, to make air fryer chocolate cupcakes, simply add ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder to the dry ingredients. If you want to make chocolate frosting to top your cupcakes, try this recipe; butter, icing sugar, cocoa powder and almond milk. Air fryer chocolate cupcakes sound like a delcious plan to me. How about placing a raspberry on top too?
Can these air fryer cupcakes be made vegan?
Yes, you can make these air fryer cupcakes vegan by using a vegan-friendly butter substitute, such as Earth Balance. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully, as different vegan butter substitutes require different amounts of liquid.
So there you have it! Air fryer cupcakes. A fun, easy and delicious way to make your favorite dessert. If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy your air fryer, why not give this air fryer cupcakes recipe a try? Let us know how they turn out for you in the comments below. Click here for more air fryer recipes.
Air Fryer Cupcakes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 oz unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 oz white granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 4½ oz confectioner's sugar
- 3 tbsp sprinkles
- 2 oz All purpose flour
Instructions
- In a bowl, use a hand mixer to whisk together the softened butter (2oz/ 57g), sugar and egg.
- Sift in the all purpose flour, baking powder and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Place 4 silicone cupcake moulds into the air fryer basket.
- Fill each silicone cupcake mould about two-thirds full with batter.
- Bake for 10 minutes on 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cupcakes from the air fryer basket.
- Whilst the cupcakes are cooling, make the frosting.
- Get a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk and butter (2oz/60g) until desired consistency is achieved.
- Add a drop or two of vanilla extract, if desired.
- Place into a piping bag and frost the cupcakes then top with sprinkles.
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