This Easy Air Fryer Lemon Dump Cake is a fast, fuss-free dessert that delivers bright citrus flavor with minimal effort. With only a few ingredients and no mixing required, it’s the perfect sweet fix when you want something homemade without the work.
When you need dessert fast and don’t feel like turning your kitchen into a disaster zone, this Air Fryer Lemon Dump Cake has your back.
It takes just a few pantry staples, zero fancy steps, and delivers that sweet-tart lemon flavor that hits the spot after dinner.
Perfect for busy nights, last-minute guests, or those “I just want something good right now” moments—this is the kind of recipe you’ll keep on repeat.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- Only a few ingredients, zero complicated steps
- Sweet and tangy lemon flavor in every bite
- Made in the air fryer, no oven needed
- Perfect for last-minute desserts or guests
- Minimal cleanup because nobody likes dishes
- Works great for weeknights or weekend treats
- Tastes like you tried way harder than you did
Ingredients Needed
- Lemon Pie Filling: Use homemade or store-bought
- Boxed Yellow Cake Mix: You can use any brand
- Butter: Use salted or unsalted butter
How To Make Air Fryer Lemon Dump Cake
Step One: Start by spraying your baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Step Two: Add your lemon pie filling to the baking dish using a spatula, and spread the pie filling into a single layer.
Step Three: Sprinkle your cake mix on top of the pie filling.
Step Four: Drizzle the melted butter on top of the cake mix. No need to mix.
Step Five: Set the pan into the air fryer basket or oven, set the air fryer temperature to 310 degrees F, and set cook time for 12-15 minutes. Cook until the cake is golden brown.
Easy Air Fryer Lemon Dump Cake Recipe Tips
- Use a shallow dish so the cake cooks evenly and doesn’t stay gooey in the middle.
- Don’t stir the layers — dump cake means dump and walk away. Let the magic happen.
- Slice butter thin if you’re not melting it so every inch gets coverage. Dry cake = sad cake.
- Check early since air fryers run hot. If the top is golden, you’re winning.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for full dessert glory.
Storing Instructions
- Refrigerator: Let the cake cool, then cover tightly and store up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm individual portions in the air fryer at 300°F for 3–4 minutes or microwave for a quick fix.
- Freezing: Not ideal. The texture turns weird after thawing, and lemon deserves better than that.
Equipment Used
Air Fryer Lemon Dump Cake Recipe Faqs
Can I use lemon pie filling instead of lemon curd? Yes, and it works great. Lemon pie filling is thicker and sweeter, while lemon curd gives more tart punch.
Do I have to melt the butter? No, but it helps. Melted butter spreads better and prevents dry patches on top.
Why is my dump cake still gooey in the middle? Your pan is too deep or the cake just needs more time. Use a shallow dish and add 2–3 extra minutes if needed.
Can I make this in ramekins instead of one dish? Absolutely. Ramekins cook faster, so start checking at the 10-minute mark.
What cake mix works best? Yellow cake mix is classic. Lemon cake mix doubles down on citrus if you want bold flavor.
Can I add extras? Yes. Blueberries, raspberries, or coconut flakes are all fair game and taste amazing with lemon.
How do I keep the top from burning? If it browns too fast, loosely cover with foil and keep cooking until the center sets.
Can I make this ahead of time? You can, but it’s best warm. Reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for a few minutes before serving.
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Easy Air Fryer Lemon Dump Cake
Description
Ingredients
- 1 box lemon cake mix
- 21 ounces lemon pie filling
- 1/2 cup butter, Unsalted butter, melted
- Optional toppings: powdered sugar, whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream for serving
Instructions
- Start by spraying your baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Add your lemon pie filling to the baking dish using a spatula, and spread the pie filling into a single layer.
- Sprinkle your cake mix on top of the pie filling.
- Drizzle the melted butter on top of the cake mix. No need to mix.
- Set the pan into the air fryer basket or oven, set the temperature to 310 degrees F, and set cook time for 12 to 15 minutes. Cook until the cake is golden brown.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper
- Ramekins or Cake Pan, must be oven safe
Notes
Nutrition
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Josephine B
Hi Laurie, I’m in Australia and have made many of your recipes and loving them all. My query now is can I use bought premade Lemon Curd for this Dump Cake or not as we don’t have Lemon Pie Filling?