Is Airfryer Good for Baking? Expert Insights and Practical Tips

If you’ve wondered whether an air fryer’s any good for baking, the short answer’s yes—but there are some quirks worth knowing. Air fryers use hot, fast-moving air to cook food, which tends to make baked goods crispier outside, but you’ll probably need to tweak your temperature and timing compared to a regular oven.

This method works well for small batches and quick bakes.

You might notice your cakes, cookies, or muffins come out a little different—air fryers cook faster and hotter, so it’s easy to get things too brown or a bit dry if you’re not careful. Tinkering with recipes helps you avoid those classic pitfalls, like uneven baking.

Let’s dig into how air fryers handle baking compared to ovens. If you’re short on time or craving that golden crust, knowing the ups and downs can make your bakes better.

How Air Fryers Perform for Baking

Air fryers cook food by blasting it with hot air that moves around quickly. This usually means things bake faster and get a nice, even finish.

Size and airflow matter, though. What you bake—and how it turns out—depends on your air fryer’s shape and capacity.

Air Fryer Baking Capabilities

Your air fryer’s basically a mini convection oven. It circulates heat well, which helps make crusts crisp and speeds things up.

Since the basket’s not huge, don’t cram it full. Overfilling messes with how evenly things bake.

You can adjust temp and time on the fly, which is handy, but expect shorter baking times than you’d use in a regular oven. At first, you’ll want to check your baked goods often until you get a feel for your machine.

Some air fryers have a bake button, but most just use regular convection heat.

Types of Foods You Can Bake

Air fryers shine when you want small batches or quick bakes. Try:

• Rolls and small breads
• Muffins and cupcakes
• Cookies
• Small cakes and brownies

Skip giant cakes or anything that needs gentle, slow baking. Dense or super-moist dishes won’t cook right if you crowd the basket.

Grab pans that fit your air fryer—think small cake tins or silicone molds.

Comparison With Traditional Ovens

Air fryers cook faster and use less energy, thanks to their size and turbo-charged airflow. You’ll usually shave 20-30% off your baking time.

Ovens, though, let you bake more at once and keep temps steadier. They’re better for delicate stuff, like layered cakes or pastries.

Air fryers sometimes don’t give the same rise or even texture, just because of how compact and powerful they are. You might also notice your bakes come out a bit drier.

If you’re curious, here’s more on their baking capabilities.

Key Factors to Consider When Baking With an Air Fryer

Air fryer baking means paying close attention to heat, timing, and your bakeware. The small size and fast air movement can trip you up if you’re not careful.

Temperature and Timing Adjustments

Air fryers run hotter and faster than ovens. Knock your usual oven temp down by about 25°F.

Cut baking time by 20 to 25 percent. If a recipe says 20 minutes, start checking around 15.

Keep an eye on things, especially the first few tries, since every air fryer’s a little different. Tweak your settings as you get to know your model.

Choosing Bakeware for Air Fryers

Pick bakeware that fits easily in the basket and doesn’t block airflow. Little pans, silicone molds, or small metal dishes work best.

Skip glass or heavy pans—they take longer to heat and throw off your timing. Dark pans can brown things faster, so watch for burning.

Make sure your bakeware handles the air fryer’s max temp, usually up to 400°F. If you want food to cook more evenly, try using a rack or trivet inside the air fryer.

Tips for Achieving Even Results

Spread your food out in a single layer. That way, hot air can actually reach every side.

If you crowd things together, you’ll probably get uneven baking and longer cook times. Nobody wants that.

If your air fryer doesn’t have a turn or rotate feature, just pause halfway through. Give your food a shake, or flip it over.

For baked goods that need a crisp, golden crust, try brushing or spraying on a little oil. But go easy—too much oil can make things brown way too fast.

Keep checking for doneness earlier than you think. Every air fryer bakes a bit differently, and you’ll get the hang of it with a little practice.

Curious for more tips? Take a look at this guide on baking in an air fryer.