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Air Fryer Smash Cake

Name: Air Fryer Smash Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1/3 cup all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 cup hot water; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 teaspoon white vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon pure vanillla extract; 1 cup frosting; sprinkles

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Celebrate your little one’s special day with an easy and delicious Air Fryer Smash Cake! Perfectly fluffy and light, this cake is ideal for your baby’s first birthday or any celebration.

A cute Air Fryer Smash Cake decorated with colorful frosting, ready for a first birthday celebration.

Air Fryer Smash Cake is the perfect dessert for your baby’s first birthday or any milestone celebration!

This easy-to-make cake is soft, fluffy, and lightly sweetened, making it ideal for little hands to smash and enjoy. Using the air fryer ensures a quick and even bake, creating a tender texture that is both delicious and fun to eat.

You can customize the flavor and decoration, making it a personalized treat for your little one’s special day. With its simple preparation and minimal cleanup, Air Fryer Smash Cake is the go-to recipe for a stress-free and memorable celebration!

Air Fryer Smash Cake decorated with frosting and sprinkles, perfect for a baby’s first birthday.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

Air Fryer Smash Cake is quick and easy to make, saving you time while creating a delicious dessert.
The air fryer gives the cake a perfectly soft, fluffy texture that’s ideal for little ones to smash and enjoy.
You can customize the flavor and decorations, making it a personalized treat for any special occasion.
It’s lightly sweetened, so it’s perfect for babies and toddlers to enjoy without being overly sugary.
With minimal prep and cleanup, this recipe is stress-free, making it ideal for busy parents.

If you love easy cake recipes, try my recipe for Air Fryer Vanilla Cake, Air Fryer Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake, or Air Fryer Homemade Coffee Cake.

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Smash Cake

Here are the simple ingredients, you will need for making a baby cake in air fryer:

All-Purpose Flour: Creates a soft and tender crumb that’s perfect for a baby’s first birthday.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to the cake.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Gives the cake a rich chocolate flavor.
Baking Soda: Helps the cake to rise and become light and fluffy.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
Hot Water: Helps to bloom the cocoa powder.
Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender.
White Vinegar: Helps the cake rise and creates a lighter texture.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the cake.

How To Make Smash Cake In Air Fryer

Here are the simple steps for making a air fryer baby cake:

Mixing dry ingredients (flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt) in a bowl before folding them into wet ingredients to prepare for baking.

Step One: Start by spraying your baking pans with non-stick cooking spray. Then, mix the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. In another bowl, mix your wet ingredients. Slowly fold in your dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mix well.

Pouring cake batter into the prepared pan and setting it into the air fryer at 310°F for 8-10 minutes until fully baked.

Step Two: Pour your cake batter into the prepared baking pan, about 2/3 way full. Set into the air fryer at 310 degrees F, air fryer setting for 8-10 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Air Fryer Smash Cake with frosting and decorations, perfect for baby’s first birthday or special occasion.

Air Fryer Smash Cake Recipe Tips

Use a smaller pan that you are used to, today I used these, which are perfect for a mini-cake or smash cake
Check on your cake frequently during the cooking process; since every air fryer is slightly different, the time will vary by a few minutes.
Use a toothpick and stick it in the middle of the cake to ensure it’s perfectly cooked. If you find that the top is b growing too much and the inside is still raw, cover it tightly with aluminum foil.
These cakes can easily be frozen, ahead of time, then just frosted and decorated, on the day of serving.

Delicious Air Fryer Smash Cake decorated with frosting and sprinkles, perfect for a baby's first birthday or any celebration.

Air Fryer Smash Cake Recipe Faqs

Can I use regular cake batter for an air fryer baby cake? Yes, you can use regular cake batter for an air fryer baby cake. Just ensure the portion size fits your air fryer basket, and adjust the cooking time accordingly. Smaller cakes may cook faster than larger ones.

What type of pan should I use for baking a cake in the air fryer? Use a small, oven-safe cake pan that fits comfortably in your air fryer basket. Silicone, metal, or ceramic pans work well.

How long should I cook a baby cake in the air fryer? Cooking times can vary based on the air fryer model and cake size, but generally, a small baby cake should be cooked at 320°F (160°C) for about 8-10 minutes.

Can I make a sugar-free or healthier version of the baby cake? Yes, you can substitute granulated sugar with natural sweeteners like mashed bananas, applesauce, or honey. Use whole wheat flour or almond flour for a healthier version.

What toppings or frostings are baby-friendly? Greek yogurt mixed with a bit of honey or mashed fruit makes a great baby-friendly frosting. Fresh fruit, such as berries or banana slices, can also be used as healthy and colorful toppings.

How do I store leftover baby cake? Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.

Can I bake multiple layers in the air fryer? It’s best to bake single layers at a time for even cooking. If you need a layered cake, bake each layer separately and then stack them with frosting or filling in between.

How can I make the cake more festive for a birthday? Decorate the cake with colorful sprinkles (ensure they are baby-friendly), fresh fruit, or a yogurt-based frosting. You can also use themed cake toppers or candles (with supervision).