This Easy Air Fryer Salted Caramel Apple Mug Cake is a warm, cozy dessert made just for one, with tender apples, gooey caramel, and a soft cake texture. It cooks fast in the air fryer, making it perfect for late-night cravings or when you want dessert without baking a whole cake.
This Easy Air Fryer Salted Caramel Apple Mug Cake is the kind of dessert you make when you want something warm, sweet, and comforting right now—not an hour from now.
Soft cinnamon-spiced apples, rich caramel sauce, and a fluffy cake come together in a single mug and cook up fast in the air fryer, which means minimal prep and zero leftovers.
It’s perfect for busy nights, late-night cravings, or when you want a bakery-style treat without turning on the oven or washing a pile of dishes.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- It’s ready in minutes: From craving to eating, this mug cake happens fast. The air fryer does the work while you stand there wondering why you don’t make dessert like this every day.
- One mug, zero mess: No mixing bowls, no cake pans, no sink full of regret. Everything goes into one mug and straight into the air fryer.
- Warm apples + salted caramel = instant comfort: Tender cinnamon apples with gooey caramel taste like fall decided to show up early and bring dessert.
- Perfect portion control (or not): It’s just enough to satisfy a sweet tooth without leftovers—unless you decide to make a second one, which is highly likely.
- No oven required: Great for hot days, small kitchens, or anytime you refuse to preheat an oven for a single serving of cake.
If you love easy air fryer mug cakes, try my recipe for Air Fryer Twix Mug Cake, Air Fryer Snickerdoodle Mug Cake, or Air Fryer Chocolate Protein Mug Cake.
Ingredients Needed
- All-purpose flour: Base that gives the mug cake structure
- Apple pie spice: Warm blend that brings classic apple flavor
- Baking powder: Helps the mug cake rise light
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and balances the spice
- Salt: Sharpens flavors and prevents blandness
- Unsweetened applesauce: Keeps cake moist with apple flavor
- Milk: Creates a smooth, pourable batter
- Vegetable oil: Adds tenderness and prevents dryness
- Water: Loosens batter for even cooking
Add-Ins and Variations
- Nuts: Fold in chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds for extra crunch.
- Dried Fruit: Add raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dates for chewy sweetness.
- Chocolate: Mix in chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks, or drizzle melted chocolate on top.
- Spices: Enhance the flavor with a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, or allspice for a warm, fall-inspired taste.
- Caramel Swirl: Add extra caramel sauce in layers for pockets of gooey richness.
- Toppings: Top with whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.
How To Make Easy Air Fryer Salted Caramel Apple Mug Cake
Step One: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, apple pie spice, baking powder, sugar, and salt until evenly mixed.
Step Two: Add the applesauce, milk, vegetable oil, and water. Stir until a smooth batter forms, scraping the sides and bottom so no dry spots hide out.
Step Three: Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the batter and gently swirl it in with a spoon for pockets of gooey caramel goodness.
Step Four: Place the mug in the air fryer basket, set air fryer temperature to 330 degrees F, and set cook time for 10-12 minutes, or until the center is just set and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
Step Five: Let the mug cake cool for 1-2 minutes, then dig in while it’s warm. Extra caramel on top is highly encouraged and honestly the correct choice.
Easy Air Fryer Salted Caramel Apple Mug Cake Recipe Tips
- Use an oven-safe mug that fits in your air fryer basket to avoid spills or uneven cooking.
- Adjust cooking time based on your air fryer; some models cook faster or slower, so check at 10 minutes.
- Don’t overmix the batter: Stir just until combined to keep the cake light and tender.
- Swirl in the caramel gently to create pockets of gooey caramel without sinking it all to the bottom.
- Serve warm for the best texture and gooey caramel experience.
Storing Instructions
- Short-term: Eat immediately for best flavor and texture, or cover loosely and keep at room temperature for up to 2 hours.
- Refrigerator: Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 day; reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for 2–3 minutes.
- Freezing: Not recommended, as the mug cake loses its gooey texture when frozen and reheated.
Other Cooking Instructions
- Optional Microwave Version: If you don’t have an air fryer, microwave the mug cake on high for 60–90 seconds until set. Check at 60 seconds to prevent overcooking.
- Extra Gooey Caramel: Add an additional drizzle of salted caramel over the top after cooking for maximum indulgence.
- Toppings Ideas: Top with whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar for extra flair.
- Adjust Spice: Add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to the batter if you want a more pronounced fall-spiced flavor.
Easy Air Fryer Salted Caramel Apple Mug Cake Recipe Faqs
Can I make this recipe for more than one serving? Yes! Simply multiply the ingredients and use multiple mugs. Cook each mug separately in the air fryer for even results.
Can I use regular applesauce or sugar-free versions? Yes, both work. Sugar-free applesauce may slightly alter sweetness, so consider adjusting caramel or sugar to taste.
How do I know when it’s done? The top should look set, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
Can I substitute the milk or oil? Yes, non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk works. You can also use melted coconut oil instead of vegetable oil.
Can I prep the batter ahead of time? Yes! Mix the dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately, combine before cooking, or store mixed batter in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
More Easy Air Fryer Mug Cake Recipes
Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Mug Cake
Air Fryer Peanut Butter Mug Cake
Air Fryer Monkey Bread For One
Air Fryer Eggless Chocolate Mug Cake
Air Fryer Vanilla Iced Mug Cake
Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls In A Mug
Air Fryer Blueberry Cobbler For One
Air Fryer Peach Cobbler For Two
Air Fryer Banana Bread Mug Cake
Air Fryer Cinnamon Nut Swirl Mug Cake
Air Fryer Blueberry Muffin Mug Cake
Easy and Delicious Cookie Mug Cake Recipe Made in Minutes
Air Fryer Peach Cobbler Mug Cake
Air Fryer Strawberry & Cream Mug Cake
Air Fryer 2 Ingredient Oreo Mug Cake
Don’t Forget To Pin!
Share Your Creations! Are you active on Facebook? Join our Air Fryer Recipes Group, where hundreds of thousands of Air Fryer enthusiasts gather and share your photos! I’m always thrilled to see what you’ve made. For those on Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @forktospoon – I can’t wait to admire your culinary adventures!
Easy Air Fryer Salted Caramel Apple Mug Cake
Description
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Apple pie spice
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 6 tablespoons Granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon Salt,
- 3 tablespoons Unsweetened applesauce
- 4 tablespoons Milk
- 2 teaspoons Vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoon Water
- 2 teaspoons salted caramel sauce
Instructions
- In a microwave-safe mug, whisk together the 1/2 cup All-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon Apple pie spice, 1 teaspoon Baking powder,6 tablespoons Granulated sugar , and 1/8 teaspoon Salt until evenly mixed.
- Add the 3 tablespoons Unsweetened applesauce, 4 tablespoons Milk,2 teaspoons Vegetable oil, and 2 teaspoon Water. Stir until a smooth batter forms, scraping the sides and bottom so no dry spots hide out.
- Drizzle 2 teaspoons salted caramel sauce over the batter and gently swirl it in with a spoon for pockets of gooey caramel goodness.
- Place the mug in the air fryer basket and cook at 330°F for 10–12 minutes, or until the center is just set and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Let the mug cake cool for 1–2 minutes, then dig in while it’s warm. Extra caramel on top is highly encouraged and honestly the correct choice.
Equipment
- Oven-Safe Ramekin
Nutrition
Share this recipe
We can’t wait to see what you’ve made! Mention @forktospoon or tag #forktospoon!
