Craving something sweet but don’t want to heat up the oven? This Air Fryer Vanilla Cake is light, fluffy, and unbelievably easy to make—right in your air fryer! Whether you’re baking for one or need a quick dessert fix, this simple yet delicious cake is the perfect treat.

Golden vanilla cake baked in the air fryer, served on a white plate with a dusting of powdered sugar.
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This Air Fryer Vanilla Cake recipe is the perfect go-to dessert when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to heat up the oven.

Made with simple pantry staples, it bakes up soft, moist, and golden right in your air fryer. Whether you’re making it for a cozy family dessert or dressing it up for a special occasion, this cake delivers classic vanilla flavor in a fraction of the time.

Top it with whipped cream, berries, or a drizzle of glaze for an irresistible treat that’s as easy as it is delicious! This will soon become your go-to dessert!

Moist and fluffy air fryer vanilla cake served on a plate, topped with whipped cream and berries.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

  • Quick and easy dessert using your air fryer.
  • Moist, fluffy texture with classic vanilla flavor.
  • Perfect for birthdays, brunches, or weeknight treats.
  • No oven needed—ideal for small kitchens.
  • Customizable with toppings, fillings, or frosting fun.

Ingredients Needed

Ingredients needed for Air Fryer Vanilla Cake on kitchen table.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Sifted all-purpose flour works best, to remove all of the lumps.
  • Granulated Sugar: Regular white sugar is perfect here!
  • Baking Soda: Make sure your baking soda is fresh, it will help your cake rise.
  • Salt: Enhances the flavors of the cake
  • Pure Vanilla Extract: Don’ use the imitation, it will add so much flavor!
  • Vegetable Oil: Best for cakes since it has a neutral flavor.
  • Water: Regular tap water will add lots of moisture to the cake.
  • Cooking Spray: Spray your cake pan, so it easily comes out!

How To Make Air Fryer Vanilla Cake

Mixing flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, vanilla extract, oil, and water in a bowl for vanilla cake batter.

Step One: Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, vanilla extract, oil, and water in a bowl.

Spraying an air fryer-safe cake pan with non-stick cooking spray before baking vanilla cake.

Step Two: Spray your air fryer-safe pan( depending on the size of your air fryer, you will either use a 5-inch or 6-inch pan) with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil spray.

Pouring vanilla cake batter into a prepared pan before air frying at 330°F for 25–30 minutes.

Step Three: Pour your cake batter into the prepared pan, and set cook time for 25-30 minutes at the air fryer temperature of 330 degrees F. Use air fryer setting.

Frosted air fryer vanilla cake on cutting board.

Best Air Fryer Vanilla Cake Recipe Tips

  • Use the right pan size – A 5-inch or 6-inch round cake pan fits most air fryers perfectly. Make sure it’s air fryer-safe!
  • Don’t overmix the batter – Stir just until combined to keep the cake tender and soft.
  • Check for doneness early – All air fryers cook a bit differently. Begin checking your cake around the 25-minute mark by inserting a toothpick in the center.
  • Let it cool before removing – Wait 10 minutes after baking before taking the cake out of the pan to avoid breaking or crumbling.

Storing

  • Storing: Store leftover vanilla cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer freshness, refrigerate for up to a week.
  • Freezing: Wrap the fully cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil or a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months, and thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
  • Reheating: To reheat, place a slice in the air fryer at 300°F for 2–3 minutes or microwave for 10–15 seconds. This brings back a warm, just-baked taste and texture.
Delicious and fluffy Air Fryer Vanilla Cake, golden on the outside and moist on the inside, served with a light dusting of powdered sugar.

Air Fryer Vanilla Cake Recipe Faqs

Do I need to preheat my air fryer? No, you do not need to preheat.

How do I know when the cake is done? Insert a toothpick or a cake tester into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, the cake is done. If it’s wet with batter, give it more time.

Can I frost the cake? Yes, once the cake is cool, you can frost it with your favorite frosting. Buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or whipped cream are great options for an air fryer vanilla cake. Try my Chocolate Buttercream Frosting, it’s amazing!

How To Make Air Fryer Cake Without Pan: To make an air fryer cake without a pan, simply line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or use silicone molds that fit inside. Pour the batter directly into the lined basket and cook, checking periodically for doneness with a toothpick. However, this recipe is so much easier with a pan.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

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Golden vanilla cake baked in the air fryer, served on a white plate with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Air Fryer Vanilla Cake

4.24 from 34 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings

Description

Discover the best Air Fryer Vanilla Cake recipe. This easy, fluffy cake is made with simple ingredients and perfect for any occasion, cooked to perfection in an air fryer.
YouTube video

Ingredients 

  • 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

  • In a mixing bowl combine the 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 1 cup water and mix together.
  • Spray your air fryer safe pan with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Pour your cake batter into the pan, Set pan into the air fryer basket, set the cook time for 25-30 minutes at air fryer temperature of 330 degrees F.

Equipment

  • Bundt Cake Pan, or small cake pan, making sure to leave space on each side of the air fryer.
  • Cooking Spray

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 219kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.05gSodium: 430mgPotassium: 26mgFiber: 1gSugar: 19gCalcium: 5mgIron: 1mg

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