Air Fryer Vanilla Cupcakes are light, fluffy, and perfectly golden, made quickly using simple ingredients. They’re ideal for a quick dessert or a fun treat to decorate for any occasion.

Air fryer vanilla cupcakes with golden tops, served in paper liners on a plate.
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Air Fryer Vanilla Cupcakes are a quick and easy way to enjoy homemade cupcakes without using the oven.

These light, fluffy, and perfectly golden treats are perfect for decorating with frosting and sprinkles, making them ideal for birthdays, celebrations, or a simple sweet treat anytime.

Air fryer vanilla cupcakes in paper liners, golden and fluffy, served on a plate.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

  • Quick and easy to make in the air fryer.
  • Light, fluffy, and perfectly golden cupcakes every time.
  • Minimal ingredients needed, perfect for last-minute treats.
  • Ideal for decorating with frosting, sprinkles, or toppings.
  • Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or simple sweet cravings.

Some other Great and Easy Air Fryer Dessert Recipes you will want to check out our AIR FRYER GLAZED PUMPKIN SCONESAIR FRYER BLONDIE BROWNIE CHEESECAKE SUNDAEAIR FRYER COPYCAT DOUBLETREE COOKIES, and AIR FRYER CARROT CAKE LOAF.

Ingredients Needed

Ingredients needed for Air Fryer Vanilla Cupcakes on kitchen table.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and forms the base of the cupcakes.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the cupcakes rise and become light.
  • Salt: Enhances flavor and balances sweetness in the batter.
  • Butter: Adds richness, moisture, and tender texture to cupcakes.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cupcakes and helps with browning.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add structure and moisture.
  • Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic flavor that enhances sweetness.
  • Buttermilk: Contributes moisture, tenderness, and subtle tangy flavor.

How To Make Air Fryer Vanilla Cupcakes

Creaming butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla in one bowl, while whisking flour, baking powder, and salt in another bowl.

Step One: In one bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and pure vanilla extract. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Mixing eggs into butter and sugar, then gradually adding flour and buttermilk until smooth.

Step Two: Add the eggs to the butter and sugar mixture, mix until well blended. Then slowly pour the flour mixture into the bowl. Slowly pour in the buttermilk. Mix well.

Cupcake pan prepared with liners and batter filled two-thirds full, air fried at 320°F until a toothpick comes out clean, then cooled slightly for decorating.

Step Three: Prepare your cupcake pan. Either uses paper liners or spray them with cooking spray. Fill the cupcakes pan, filling about 2/3 the way full.

Step Four: Set air fryer temperature to 320 degrees F, air fryer setting, and set cook time for 12-15 minutes. Or until you insert a toothpick in the center of the cupcakes and it comes out clean.

Step Five: Let cool slightly before icing and decorating.

Air fryer vanilla cupcakes in paper liners, golden and fluffy, ready for frosting and serving.

Easy Air Fryer Vanilla Cupcakes Recipe Tips

  • Use room temperature ingredients like butter, eggs, and buttermilk for a smooth, well-mixed batter.
  • Do not overmix the batter to keep cupcakes light and fluffy.
  • Fill cupcake liners only about 2/3 full to prevent overflow during cooking.
  • Check doneness early with a toothpick to avoid overbaking.
  • Let cupcakes cool slightly before frosting to prevent melting.
  • Customize toppings and frosting to make them festive or themed.

Storing Instructions

Store air fryer vanilla cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 1 month and thaw before serving.

Air fryer vanilla cupcakes in paper liners, golden and fluffy, ready to serve or frost.

Air Fryer Vanilla Cupcakes Recipe Faqs

Can I make these cupcakes in a regular oven? Yes! Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Do I need to preheat the air fryer? Preheating is optional but helps the cupcakes cook evenly and develop a golden top.

Can I use store-bought frosting? Absolutely! Store-bought frosting works perfectly and saves time.

How should I store leftover cupcakes? Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate up to 5 days.

Can I add decorations like sprinkles or chocolate chips? Yes! Customize cupcakes with sprinkles, chocolate chips, or other fun toppings as desired.

Air fryer vanilla cupcakes in paper liners, golden and fluffy, ready for frosting and serving.

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

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Air Fryer Vanilla Cupcakes

Air Fryer Vanilla Cupcakes

5 from 5 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
10 minutes
Total Time: 42 minutes
Servings: 24 Servings

Description

Quick and easy air fryer vanilla cupcakes—light, fluffy, and golden, perfect for frosting, decorating, or enjoying as a homemade treat.

Ingredients 

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons  pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk

Instructions

  • In one bowl, cream the 1/2 cup butter, g3/4 cup granulated sugar, and 2 teaspoons  pure vanilla extract. In another bowl, whisk together the 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  • Add the e2 large eggs to the butter and sugar mixture, mix until well blended. Then slowly pour the flour mixture into the bowl. Slowly pour in the 1/2 cup buttermilk. Mix well.
  • Prepare your cupcake pan. Either use paper liners or spray them with cooking spray. Fill the cupcakes pan, filling about 2/3 the way full.
  • Set air fryer temperature to 320 degrees F, air fryer setting, and set cook time for 12-15 minutes. Or until you insert a toothpick in the center of the cupcakes and it comes out clean.
  • Let cool slightly before icing and decorating.

Equipment

  • Muffin Tin, or muffin pan
  • cupcakes liners, or cooking spray

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 92kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 108mgPotassium: 21mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 149IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.4mg

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