Air Fryer Whoopie Pies – Soft & Cakey in 5 Minutes

Air Fryer Chocolate Whoopie Pies — Two soft, cakey chocolate rounds sandwiched around a fluffy marshmallow filling, and the cakes cook in the air fryer in just 5 minutes. If you’ve never made whoopie pies at home, this is the easiest way to start: no preheating a big oven, no guessing at bake times, and the whoopie pie pan does all the shaping for you.

This is the classic version — deep chocolate cakes with a traditional Marshmallow Fluff filling. If you love this style of dessert, my Air Fryer Red Velvet Whoopie Pies are the same idea with a tangy cream cheese frosting, and both recipes use the exact same pan and method.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Kid-approved. These disappear fast at parties, bake sales, and lunchboxes.ou’ll be hooked once you try a whoopie pie!
• 5-minute cook time. The cakes bake at 320 degrees F for just 5 minutes — faster than your oven can even preheat.
• Soft, bakery-style texture. Brown sugar and whole milk keep the chocolate cakes tender and moist.
• Classic marshmallow filling. Made with Marshmallow Fluff, just like the New England original.
• No oven needed. Perfect for summer, or when your oven is busy with something like an Air Fryer Pumpkin Pie during the holidays.

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 chocolate cakes:

• All-Purpose Flour: A gluten-free all-purpose blend also works if you need a gluten-free dessert.
• Baking Soda: Make sure it’s fresh — old baking soda is the number one reason whoopie pies come out flat.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Use unsweetened, not sweetened, or the cakes will be far too sweet.
• Salt: Balances the chocolate.
• Butter: Unsalted is best. If you only have salted butter, skip the added salt.
• Brown Sugar: The molasses in brown sugar adds moisture and a deeper flavor than white sugar.
• Egg: Use a large egg.
• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract gives the best flavor.
• Milk: Whole milk keeps the cakes tender.

For the marshmallow filling:

• Shortening: Gives the filling structure so it doesn’t ooze out.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens.
• Marshmallow Fluff: The classic whoopie pie filling ingredient.
• Salt: Just a pinch to cut the sweetness.

How to Make Air Fryer Chocolate Whoopie Pies

Step One: Make the batter. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt. Mix in the butter, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, and milk until everything is fully incorporated. The batter will be thicker than cake batter but softer than cookie dough — that’s exactly what you want.

Step Two: Fill the pan. Spray your whoopie pie pan cavities with cooking spray, then fill each cavity about two-thirds full. Don’t overfill — the cakes rise and spread as they cook.

Step Three: Air fry. Set the pan in the air fryer basket or oven and cook at 320 degrees F for 5 minutes. The cakes are done when the tops spring back lightly when touched. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you’ll likely need to work in two batches — the batter holds just fine at room temperature while the first batch cooks.

Step Four: Make the filling and assemble. Let the cakes cool completely (warm cakes will melt the filling). In a large bowl, beat the shortening, powdered sugar, Marshmallow Fluff, and salt until smooth and fluffy. Spread or pipe the filling onto the flat side of half the cakes, then top with the remaining cakes to make sandwiches.

Pro Tips for Perfect Whoopie Pies

• Every air fryer runs a little differently. Basket-style models often cook faster than oven-style units, so check at the 4-minute mark on your first batch.
• Cool completely before filling. Even slightly warm cakes will turn the marshmallow filling into a puddle.
• No whoopie pie pan? A silicone muffin-top pan works well in the air fryer and releases the cakes easily.
• Flat whoopie pies? The usual culprits are expired baking soda or too much flour. Spoon and level your flour rather than scooping.
• Chill before serving. Ten minutes in the fridge firms up the filling and makes the pies easier to eat by hand.

Storing

Store assembled whoopie pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, with parchment between layers so they don’t stick together. Let them sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving — the cakes are softest at room temp. You can also freeze the unfilled cakes for up to 2 months and fill them after thawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a whoopie pie?

A whoopie pie is a classic American dessert from New England and Amish country: two soft, cake-like chocolate rounds sandwiched around a sweet, creamy filling. It’s often described as a cross between a cookie, a cake, and a sandwich — Maine even claims it as its official state treat.

What is whoopie pie filling made of?

The traditional filling — and the one in this recipe — is made from Marshmallow Fluff, shortening, powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt. Some variations use vanilla buttercream or cream cheese frosting instead; if you prefer the cream cheese version, that’s exactly what I use in my Air Fryer Red Velvet Whoopie Pies.

Is a whoopie pie a cake or a cookie?

It’s genuinely both. The batter is mixed like a cake batter, but it’s portioned and eaten like a sandwich cookie. The texture lands right in the middle: soft and cakey with slightly chewy edges.

Can I make these without a whoopie pie pan?

Yes. A silicone muffin-top pan is the easiest substitute in the air fryer. You can also drop scoops of batter onto a piece of parchment cut to fit your basket, though the cakes will spread a bit more and come out slightly less uniform.

Can I make smaller whoopie pies?

Absolutely — use a smaller scoop or fill the cavities halfway, and start checking for doneness at 3–4 minutes since smaller cakes cook faster.

More Easy Air Fryer Desserts

If your air fryer has become your favorite dessert machine, here are a few more reader favorites to try next:

Air Fryer Pumpkin Tarts — mini tarts with homemade pumpkin filling.

Air Fryer Cookies & Cream Pizzokie — a giant, gooey Oreo-loaded skillet cookie, ready in minutes.

Air Fryer Pumpkin Hand Pies — flaky, hand-held pies perfect for fall.