Air Fryer Cinnamon-Swirl Bundt Coffee Cake

Air Fryer Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Coffee Cake is everything you want on a chilly morning: a tender, buttery cake with a ribbon of cinnamon and brown sugar running through the center, finished with a homemade caramel glaze that drips down every ridge of the Bundt pan. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon snack with a hot cup of coffee.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’m a huge fan of baking Bundt cakes in the air fryer — and there’s a real reason for it. The most common problem with air fryer baking is a raw, underbaked middle, because the hot air can’t reach the center of a thick cake. A Bundt pan solves that completely: the hole in the middle lets air circulate through the center, so the cake bakes evenly every single time. It’s the same trick that makes my Air Fryer Lemon Bundt Cake and Air Fryer Blueberry Bundt Cake come out perfectly, and it works just as well here.

If you love a classic crumb-topped version, don’t miss my Air Fryer Old Fashioned Coffee Cake — but when I want something that looks bakery-worthy with almost no effort, this cinnamon swirl Bundt is the one I make.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect for holidays or any weekend. It makes a gorgeous Christmas morning breakfast, and it’s just as good on a random Tuesday.
• No underbaked middle. The Bundt shape guarantees an evenly baked cake in the air fryer.
• A real cinnamon swirl. Brown sugar and cinnamon are layered through the batter, so every slice has that ribbon.
• Homemade caramel glaze. Four simple ingredients simmered on the stovetop — no candy thermometer needed.
• Faster than the oven. No preheating a full-size oven; the whole cake bakes in about 20–25 minutes.

Ingredients Needed

The full ingredient amounts and step-by-step directions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post, along with nutritional information.

For the cake:

• Cake flour – gives the coffee cake its soft, fine crumb (see the FAQ below for an all-purpose flour substitute)
• Granulated sugar – sweetens the batter
• Baking powder and salt – for lift and balanced flavor
• Eggs – bind the batter and add richness; room temperature works best
• Milk – keeps the crumb moist
• Butter – for flavor and tenderness
• Vanilla extract – rounds out the warm flavors

For the cinnamon swirl:

• Brown sugar – the base of the swirl
• Ground cinnamon – use a fresh jar for the best flavor

For the caramel glaze:

• Brown sugar – melts into the caramel base
• Butter – adds richness and shine
• Evaporated milk – gives the glaze its silky texture
• Salt – a small pinch sharpens the caramel flavor

How to Make Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Coffee Cake in the Air Fryer

Step 1: Make the batter. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla, and mix just until the batter is smooth. Don’t overmix — that’s what keeps the crumb tender.

Step 2: Mix the cinnamon swirl. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar and cinnamon.

Step 3: Layer the pan. Generously grease your Bundt pan, getting into every ridge. Pour in half the batter, sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over it, then top with the remaining batter.

Step 4: Air fry. Place the Bundt pan in the air fryer basket and bake at 320 degrees F for 20–25 minutes. The exact time depends on your air fryer model and pan size, so start checking at 20 minutes — a toothpick inserted into the cake should come out clean. If the top browns before the inside is done, lay a piece of foil loosely over the pan and continue baking.

Step 5: Make the caramel glaze. While the cake cools, combine the brown sugar, salt, evaporated milk, and butter in a medium saucepan. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring constantly, until the glaze thickens. Constant stirring matters here — caramel scorches quickly if it sits still.

Step 6: Glaze and serve. Let the cake cool completely, turn it out onto a plate, and drizzle the warm caramel glaze over the top so it runs down the ridges. Slice and enjoy.

What Size Bundt Pan Fits in an Air Fryer?

This is the question I get most often. For most air fryer baskets, a 6-cup (7-inch) Bundt pan is the sweet spot — it holds a full batch of batter and still leaves room for air to circulate around the pan. If you have a larger air fryer oven, a standard pan may fit on the bottom rack. Whatever you use, fill the pan only about two-thirds full so the batter has room to rise.

I put together a full guide on preparing a Bundt cake in the air fryer, including the pans I own and how to keep cakes from sticking — worth a read before you buy anything.

Pro Tips

• Grease the pan like you mean it. Every ridge and the center tube. A light dusting of flour on top of the grease is extra insurance against sticking.
• Room temperature ingredients blend into a smoother batter and bake more evenly.
• Check early. Every air fryer runs a little differently, so test with a toothpick at the 20-minute mark.
• Cool before turning out. Give the cake 10–15 minutes in the pan; turning it out too soon is the number-one cause of a broken Bundt.
• Stir the glaze the entire time. Walk away and it will burn — I’ve learned that one the hard way.

Storage, Freezing, and Make-Ahead

Storing: Once the cake has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you’ve already glazed it, refrigeration is the safer bet.

Freezing: This cake freezes beautifully — ideally before glazing. Wrap slices (or the whole cake) tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Make the caramel glaze fresh when you’re ready to serve.

Make ahead: Bake the cake the night before, store it covered at room temperature, and make the glaze in the morning. Warm slices for a few seconds in the microwave and they taste fresh-baked.

Variations

• Berry version: Fold fresh or frozen berries into the batter the way I do in my Air Fryer Blueberry Buttermilk Bundt Cake.
• Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts in the cinnamon swirl add crunch — if you like that combination, you’ll also love my Air Fryer Cranberry and Walnut Bundt Cake during the holidays.
• Simple icing instead of caramel: A basic powdered sugar and milk drizzle works if you want to skip the stovetop step.
• Chocolate lovers: Swap the whole thing for my Air Fryer Homemade Chocolate Bundt Cake — same easy method, all chocolate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called coffee cake if there’s no coffee in it? Coffee cake is named for what you drink with it, not what’s in it. It’s an American tradition of serving a lightly sweet, cinnamon-forward cake alongside morning coffee — no espresso required.

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cake flour? Yes. For every cup of cake flour, use 1 cup of all-purpose flour minus 2 tablespoons, and replace those 2 tablespoons with cornstarch. Sift well. The crumb will be slightly less delicate but still delicious.

What temperature do I bake a Bundt cake in the air fryer? 320 degrees F is my go-to for Bundt cakes. It’s low enough that the outside doesn’t over-brown before the inside bakes through — the same temperature I use for my Air Fryer 7-Up Cake.

Why did my cake stick to the pan? Either the pan wasn’t greased thoroughly enough (the ridges are the trouble spots) or the cake was turned out too soon or too late. Grease generously, dust with flour, and turn the cake out 10–15 minutes after it comes out of the air fryer.

Can I bake this in the oven instead? Yes — bake at 350 degrees F for roughly 30–35 minutes in a standard Bundt pan, checking with a toothpick.

Why is the middle of my air fryer cake raw? That’s the classic air fryer baking problem, and it usually means the pan is too thick or too full for hot air to reach the center. It’s exactly why I recommend Bundt pans for air fryer baking — the center tube eliminates the problem entirely.

More Easy Air Fryer Dessert Recipes

• Air Fryer Raspberry Lemon Bundt Cake
• Air Fryer Mini Chocolate Bundt Cakes
• Air Fryer One Bowl Chocolate Cake
• Air Fryer Cinnamon Walnut Pound Cake
• Air Fryer 2-Ingredient Spice Cake
• Air Fryer 4-Ingredient Apple Cake
• Easy Air Fryer Banana Cake
• Air Fryer Keto Pound Cake
• Air Fryer Smash Cake
• Air Fryer Funnel Cakes