This easy air fryer cake is soft, fluffy, and naturally sweetened with honey - no refined sugar needed. Made from scratch in one bowl with simple ingredients like yogurt and coconut oil, it's ready in just 35 minutes. Add rainbow sprinkles for the ultimate confetti birthday cake, or keep it simple vanilla.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ✅ Recipe Name: Easy Air Fryer Vanilla Cake
- 🕒 Ready In: 35 minutes
- 👪 Serves: 8 slices
- 🍽 Calories: ~183 per slice
- 🥣 Main Ingredients: Flour, coconut oil, honey, yogurt, eggs, vanilla, milk
- 📖 Dietary Info: Refined-sugar-free, dairy-free adaptable
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: This air fryer vanilla cake is soft, fluffy, and naturally sweetened with honey. It's made from scratch in one bowl and uses an aluminum-foil trick to achieve a perfect rise without a burnt top.
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I'll be honest - my first attempt at baking a cake in my air fryer was a disaster. The top burned, the middle was raw, and it looked nothing like a cake. I almost gave up on air fryer baking entirely.
But I kept at it. After several rounds of testing different temperatures, pan sizes, and batter ratios, I finally figured out the trick: wrapping the cake pan in aluminum foil. That one change fixed everything - even the rise, no burnt top, and a perfectly moist center. I've made this cake dozens of times since, and it comes out soft and fluffy every single time (just like my healthy vanilla birthday cake and healthy vanilla cupcakes).
I bake in my air fryer all the time - from my air fryer cinnamon rolls to air fryer peanut butter cookies - so I've learned what works and what doesn't in air fryer baking.
Jump to:
- A Quick Look At The Recipe
- What Makes This Recipe Different
- Ingredients You'll Need
- Easy Ingredient Substitutions
- Kitchen Tools You'll Need
- How to Make an Air Fryer Vanilla Cake (Step-by-Step)
- Tips for the Best Air Fryer Cake
- Best Frosting for Air Fryer Cake
- Air Fryer Cake Variations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Store Air Fryer Cake
- More Air Fryer Dessert Recipes You'll Love
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
What Makes This Recipe Different
Most air fryer cake recipes you'll find online are either chocolate cakes, use boxed cake mix, or call for refined sugar and butter. This one is a from-scratch vanilla cake sweetened with honey, made with yogurt and coconut oil for a lighter crumb.
It's also one of the few air fryer cake recipes that works in a 6-inch pan - perfect if you want a small-batch cake without leftovers going stale. And my aluminum foil technique I use (details below) solves the two biggest problems with air fryer baking: burnt tops and raw centers.
Ingredients You'll Need
This air fryer cake uses simple, wholesome ingredients - most of which you probably already have in your kitchen. Here's what goes into it and why each one matters:
- All-purpose flour - the base of the cake. I use the spoon-and-level method to measure it - scooping directly from the bag packs in too much flour, which will make your cake dry and dense.
- Honey - replaces refined sugar and does more than just sweeten. It adds moisture and gives the cake a subtle warmth that white sugar can't. If you love baking with natural sweeteners, I use a similar approach in my gluten-free banana cake with maple syrup.
- Coconut oil - keeps the crumb tender and moist without the heaviness of butter. Make sure it's melted before adding it to the batter. You can use unsalted butter if you prefer.
- Yogurt - the secret to that incredibly soft texture. The fat and acidity add moisture and help the cake stay tender for days. I used vanilla 2% yogurt, but Greek yogurt or any dairy-free yogurt works too. I use this same trick in my healthy vanilla cupcakes - it's a game changer.
- Eggs - one whole egg plus one egg yolk. The extra yolk adds richness and helps hold the crumb together without making the cake heavy.
- Vanilla extract - use the real stuff. It makes a noticeable difference in a vanilla cake.
- Milk - any kind works. I've tested it with oat milk, almond milk, and 2% cow's milk, and they all come out great.
- Baking soda and baking powder - you need both. They work together to give the cake its lift in the shorter air fryer bake time.
Scroll to recipe card for quantities!
Easy Ingredient Substitutions
- Make it Dairy-Free - I've made this with coconut yogurt and almond milk yogurt for a dairy-free version, and both worked perfectly. The texture stays just as moist.
- Make it Gluten-Free - I've tested this with gluten-free 1:1 baking flour, and it comes out great. Just make sure your blend includes xanthan gum, or the crumb will be crumbly. Do not use almond flour or coconut flour.
- Coconut oil - unsalted butter works just as well. The cake will be slightly richer and more traditional in taste.
- Honey - maple syrup is a great 1:1 swap. The cake comes out a touch less sweet with a deeper flavor.
- Sprinkles - leave them out for a simple vanilla cake, or swap rainbow for chocolate sprinkles.
Kitchen Tools You'll Need
- Air fryer - I use a toaster oven-air fryer combo (a front loader), but any basket- or oven-style air fryer will work.
- 6-inch cake pan - make sure it fits inside your air fryer basket with room for airflow.
- Mixing bowl + Whisk + Measuring tools - that's it. No electric mixer needed.
- Aluminum foil - you'll need two pieces: one to wrap the pan and one to cover the top. This prevents burning and ensures an even rise. I haven't tested parchment paper as a substitute, so I can't recommend it yet.
How to Make an Air Fryer Vanilla Cake (Step-by-Step)
- Step 1: Whisk the wet ingredients together in a medium bowl, then add the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
- Step 2: Fold in rainbow sprinkles if you're making this a confetti cake.
- Step 3: Grease a 6-inch cake pan and line the bottom with parchment. Wrap the outside of the pan with aluminum foil.
- Step 4: Pour the batter into the pan. Cover the top with another piece of aluminum foil and poke 5-10 small holes to let steam escape.
- Step 5: Air fry at 330°F for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.
Tips for the Best Air Fryer Cake
- Cover the pan with aluminum foil. This is the single biggest difference between a great air fryer cake and a burnt, sunken mess. Wrap the outside of the pan and cover the top with a separate piece of foil poked with small holes. I learned this the hard way - every cake I made without foil came out burned on top and raw in the middle.
- Air fry at 330°F, not 350°F. Most recipes call for 350°F but I've found that's too hot. Dropping to 330°F gives the cake time to bake evenly all the way through without drying out or cracking on top.
- Always preheat your air fryer. Skipping this step means uneven baking and longer cook times. I preheat mine for about 3-5 minutes before the pan goes in.
- Check at 30 minutes, not 35. Every air fryer runs a little differently. Start checking with a toothpick at 30 minutes - you can always add more time, but you can't undo an overbaked cake.
Best Frosting for Air Fryer Cake
This cake is delicious on its own, but frosting takes it to the next level. Here are my three favorites:
- Healthy vanilla buttercream - my go-to for birthday cake vibes. Light, fluffy, and pairs perfectly with the honey-sweetened crumb.
- Dairy-free chocolate frosting - rich and fudgy. Great if you want a chocolate-vanilla combo without making a chocolate cake.
- Cream cheese yogurt frosting - tangy and not too sweet. This is the one I use most often because it balances the honey flavor really well. The same frosting I use in my pumpkin carrot cake!
All three recipes are linked in the recipe card below.
Air Fryer Cake Variations
This vanilla cake base is super versatile - here are some of my favorite ways to switch it up:
- Lemon cake - add the zest of one large lemon to the batter, just like my soft lemon drizzle cupcakes.
- Orange cake - add 1-2 tablespoons of fresh orange zest.
- Banana cake - fold in one small mashed banana.
- Cinnamon cake - add 1-1.5 teaspoons of ground cinnamon.
- Pumpkin spice cake - add 1-1.5 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice. If you love pumpkin baked goods, try my pumpkin carrot cake, too.
- Coconut cake - fold in 2-4 tablespoons of shredded coconut.
- Confetti cake - toss in rainbow or chocolate sprinkles for a fun birthday version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cover the top of the pan with a piece of aluminum foil and poke 5-10 small holes in it. This shields the cake from the heating element while still letting steam escape. It's the single biggest tip I can give for air fryer baking.
Yes! Air fryers work just like small convection ovens, so they bake cakes beautifully. The key is to use a lower temperature (I use 330°F) and cover the pan with aluminum foil to prevent the top from burning. I've baked dozens of cakes in my air fryer, and they come out just as moist and fluffy as oven-baked.
I've found 330°F is the sweet spot. Most recipes say 350°F, but that's too hot for most air fryers - the heating element sits close to the food and will burn the top before the center is done. Dropping to 330°F gives you even baking and a moist crumb every time.
This cake takes 30-35 minutes at 330°F. But every air fryer runs a little differently, so start checking with a toothpick at 30 minutes. If it comes out with wet batter, give it another 3-5 minutes.
I use a 6-inch round cake pan - it fits perfectly in most air fryers with enough room around the edges for airflow. If you use a larger pan, the cake will be thinner and may need less baking time.
How to Store Air Fryer Cake
- Room temperature - store unfrosted cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days. It stays soft and moist the whole time.
- Refrigerated - if frosted, keep it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Let it come to room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving.
- Freezer - wrap the unfrosted cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer bag. It'll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before frosting.
More Air Fryer Dessert Recipes You'll Love
If you loved this soft and fluffy air fryer funfetti cake, here are a few more recipes you need to try:
Did you make this recipe?
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment and rate it down below. Also, don't forget to tag me @healthfulblondie on Instagram and use the hashtag #healthfulblondie so I can see your delicious creation and share it with my followers!
📖 Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil, (or butter)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup honey, room temperature
- 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk, room temperature
- 3 tablespoon yogurt, room temperature (I used vanilla 2%)
- ¼ cup milk, (oat, almond, 2%, or skim)
Instructions
- Prepare your cake pan: Wrap the bottom and sides of a 6-inch cake pan with aluminum foil like a cheesecake. Grease the inside well and place a circular piece of parchment on the bottom.
- Preheat your air fryer: Set it to 330°F and let it preheat for 3-5 minutes while you make the batter.
- Mix the dry ingredients: Whisk the flour, baking soda, and baking powder together in a small bowl.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk the melted coconut oil, honey, egg, and egg yolk until combined. Stir in the vanilla and yogurt. Add half the dry ingredients and half the milk, whisk, then repeat with the rest.
- Add sprinkles (optional): Gently fold in rainbow or chocolate sprinkles if you're making a confetti cake.
- Pour and cover: Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Cover the top with a piece of aluminum foil and poke 5-10 small holes to let steam escape.
- Air fry: Bake at 330°F for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and frost: Let the cake cool completely in the pan before removing. Frost with this dairy-free chocolate frosting, this healthy vanilla buttercream, or this cream cheese yogurt frosting from my pumpkin carrot cake.
Tati Chermayeff says
I make this on repeat! The cake is so easy, perfectly fluffy, and the air fryer gives it the best texture every time. I prefer it to the oven because the cake top gets a golden top and it tastes so good with the fluffy middle.